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Clancy of the Undertow
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
15 posts | 11 read | 28 to read
In a dead-end town like Barwen a girl only has to be a little different to feel like a freak. And Clancy, a typical sixteen-year-old misfit with a moderately dysfunctional family, a genuine interest in Nature Club and a major crush on the local hot girl, is packing a capital F. As the summer begins, Clancy's dad is involved in a road smash that kills two local teenagers. While the family is dealing with the reaction of a hostile town, Clancy meets someone who could possiblyat lastbecome a friend. Not only that, the unattainable Sasha starts to show what may be a romantic interest. In short, this is the summer when Clancy has to figure out who the hell she is. Christopher Currie is a writer and bookseller from Brisbane, whose fiction has appeared in anthologies and journals internationally. His first book, a novel for adults called The Ottoman Motel, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize and the Queensland Literary Awards in 2012. Clancy of the Undertow is his first novel for young adults. Clancy of the Undertow is a beautiful story...Its about the importance of fitting in or, failing that, finding someone to not fit in with. Books & Publishing [A] starkly realist depiction of life for teenagers who feel at odds with the small towns in which they live. Clancys biting sense of humour will have readers laughing despite some heavy themes. Readings Curries storytelling reminded me of Robert Drewe and Raymond Carver...Currie may not have consciously set out to write a YA novelbut Im glad he found 15-year-old Clancy, and I hope he comes back to this readership who will welcome any new words from him with open arms. Alpha Reader A beautiful cover is matched by terrific story-telling in this coming-of-age story of the smart and funny, Clancy. Funny and heartfelt and perfect for the over 15s. Book Birdy Clancy of the Undertow demanded a slow, savored read. Alpha Reader, Favourite Books of 2015 A compelling coming-of-age story set in a dead-end Queensland town thats imbued with warmth, empathy and real wit...Currie has a talent for keeping his writing real. From the dialogue to narration, Clancy of the Undertow blends the excruciation, confusion and hope of being a teenager into a novel that will pull in readers of any age. Guardian A shining example of the power of Young Adult literatureNo matter what age you are, read it, it's wonderful and engaging and I could hardly bear to put it down to go to work. Incredible Rambling Emily A terrific YA book with lots of appeal. Clancy is a completely believable character, a smart, confused, tomboyish teenager whos struggling to find her identityAn excellent read with plenty of humour. Herald Sun This brand spanking new Australian novel has been mentioned in hushed tones alongside adolescent stalwart To Kill a Mockingbird. A better, almost equally impressive, comparison would be Jasper Jones. Weekly Review Christopher Currie has captured the spirit of an Australian teen struggling to find her feet within judgmental, small town prejudice. Anyone having grown up in Australia will see themselves within Clancy's plight. She's relatable, likeable and an incredible young woman who lends her voice to the underdog of our nation. Diva Booknerds.
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review
JennyM
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Pickpick

Number 15 #aussiesrule2018

Clancy is a funny, smart, snarky teenager living in a small Aussie town that has all-too-typical small minded ways. Already learning to accept that she may not quite fit the usual town mold, an accident involving her Dad leaves her feeling more isolated and different than ever.

Full of Aussie humour and lingo...I loved this book, and I loved Clancy.

CarolynM Love that title! 6y
29 likes1 comment
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SandiParsons
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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This is my 2nd #SecretSantaGoesPostal read and it's another winner! Thanks @emmanoble
If you plan on doing the Aussies Rule Reading Challenge #aussiesrule2018 this is by a Qld author (for the state challenge) fits No 15 YA with LGBT representation or No 21 set in an outback or country town
@Sue

JennyM Thanks @SandiParsons! I will be adding that to my stack! #aussiesrule2018 (edited) 6y
SandiParsons My pleasure @JennyM 6y
emmanoble Glad to hear you enjoyed another one! 6y
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SandiParsons @emmanoble I also forgot to tell you, Daughter of Smoke and Bone was on my audible wish list. Going to read that one last 😀 6y
emmanoble Nice! It‘s such a good one!! If you like it, you can continue on with the series 👍🏼 @SandiParsons 6y
Sue Good pick! 6y
12 likes4 stack adds6 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Pickpick


Fast read about a very functional dysfunctional family and the eponymous main character who is still figuring out life... Then again, who isn't⭐⭐⭐⭐

charl08 Ha! That last sentence is genius. 7y
JDHawkins That is both touching and really funny! 7y
cathysaid Nice closing 7y
68 likes1 stack add3 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Suet624 Yes we do. I am fortunate. 7y
Suet624 I'm so happy for you. 💕💕 7y
Gissy Yes!!! 👍👏👏 7y
88 likes1 stack add4 comments
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WanderingBookaneer
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Suet624 😩💔 7y
50 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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imabusybee
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Biggest pet peeve about ARC'S.

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Yamich49
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie

“My former friends became all too quickly exactly the type of people I liked the least. It wasn‘t their shallowness or selfishness exactly, nor their vanity and desperation. It was their acceptance that there was only allowed to be a single type of person, and any variation was something to fear or hate.”

becausetrains Just for that line (and because I feel that way about many friends from my hometown) I'm adding the book. Thank you 😊 8y
Yamich49 @becausetrains Haha right? Same here! Are you from a small town too? Not that all people from small towns are like this, but I feel like a lot of people are (esp those that never leave!) Hope you enjoy it! 8y
becausetrains @Yamich49 sort of - my town is a small suburb of the Twin Cities, and I had a pretty large (~2000 student) HS of several towns. My circle of friends tended to be very conservative though - the more our sociopolitical sides developed, the more I saw people that wouldn't oppose gay conversion and mass deportation. I won't maintain ties with people who espouse hate and oppression, whether or not they see what they're doing. 8y
20 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Yamich49
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie

“‘You know,‘ says Nancy, ‘how some people seem to just have it all together? Like, they‘re just born with all the answers.‘ ‘I hate those people.‘ ‘They‘re the worst. The rest of us, like, we‘re just born with the questions.'”
🙌🏽🙌🏽

review
Yamich49
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this one! A great coming of age story about a queer teenage girl growing up in rural Australia and dealing with all of the normal parts of growing up – family issues, feeling like you don‘t belong, town bullies, trying to make real friends, and having a crush on someone who seems completely unattainable. #queerlit #netgalley

You can find my longer review on my new blog (yes a book blog how original!): rezgirlreads.wordpress.com

BookishFeminist 😂 did peer pressure make you get a blog? I have one too now because of Litsy 8y
Yamich49 @BookishFeminist Haha def Litsy peer pressure for sure! And I joined NetGalley (another #damnitlitsy moment) and thought I needed to make myself look better so I get requests granted for the books I want. 😆😆 Thanks for going on and liking all of my posts buddy! 👍🏽😆✊🏼 8y
BookishFeminist @Yamich49 You got it! 😉 I got a blog for Netgalley too. 🙊 I'm still tryna track down that new Benjamin Alire Saenz ARC!! 8y
36 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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Yamich49
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie

"We laugh at this, knowing it means we're really alike. Just two modern ladies bonding over debilitating intimacy and trust issues."

?❤️??

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Yamich49
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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"The real hell would be having no time to yourself." SAME CLANCY SAME ?

Shortstack I never even thought of that! 😱😭😭 8y
Yamich49 @Shortstack Right? That is my literal nightmare! 😖😫😣 8y
Shortstack @Yamich49 Mine too!!! 8y
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BookishFeminist How would we get any reading done?! 😱😖 8y
Yamich49 @BookishFeminist I don't even want to think about it! 8y
LeahBergen 😬😬😬 8y
thegirlwiththelibrarybag I have reconsidered my life of crime... 8y
Yamich49 @LeahBergen @thegirlwiththelibrarybag Right? 😳 I promise to follow all traffic laws and ensure this never happens to me! 8y
38 likes8 comments
review
BookishMarginalia
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Pickpick

Meet Clancy, a teenage girl in small-town Australia coping with family dysfunction, social awkwardness, and a huge crush on the town bully's girlfriend. Clancy's situation is exacerbated when her dad, a road worker, is implicated in a car accident that killed 2 popular teens. Will her dad go to jail? Will Clancy make friends? Will her brother find the mythical Beast of Barwen? And will she kiss Sasha? Read to find out! #diversereads #NetGalley

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BookishMarginalia
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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That awkward moment when you throw caution to the wind --and dash out of a family event, standing up your friends as well-- to seize precious moments with your crush: adolescence is indeed priceless! #NetGalley

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WanderingBookaneer
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Bookzombie So cute! 🐱 8y
72 likes1 comment
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Sass
Clancy of the Undertow | Christopher Currie
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Beautifully written Australian literary YA with a relatable queer heroine.

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