Clancy Of The Undertow

by Christopher Currie

[Kelly]

Clancy is a remarkable young woman, the voice of the Australian teen who never quite feels as though she fits into our world. She's strong, sassy but also scared of her town finding out that she's gay, especially her judgmental peers who already see her as an anomaly. Her father works for the local council where his back injury has left him with the mundane position of directing traffic through roadworks. Until one night when two local teens run off the road in a fatal accident and Clancy's father is guilty before charged. I absolutely loved the Underhill family. They felt incredibly realistic and a real representation of our family unit. They love one another but live their own lives quite independent of one another, with their mother trying to maintain a sense of normalcy while the accident is being investigated.

Clancy isn't struggling with her sexuality, she's aware that she is in fact gay but feels as though she'll be judged and tormented by her peers. And sadly, it's probably a real representation of what can occur in small towns where gossip reins free. Older brother Angus was a lovable idiot. University drop out, layabout and looking at ways of making money by exploring conspiracies and tall stories. Their dynamic added a lighthearted element through banter and teasing one another the way only siblings can. As Clancy's father pulled away from his family, it seemed that Clancy's character could see the same isolation in her father that she also experiences. Listening to the Cricket in their shed and bonding over melted ice cream, their relationship was truly lovely. Seeing her father reconnect with his teen daughter in the face of adversity was beautifully poignant.

The most startling aspect is how Clancy's voice was captured. It felt as though the reader was thrown into Clancy's world of what could be seen as bogan culture and small town prejudice. For those who are unaware of what a bogan is, it's a uniquely Australian term which is described as an uncouth or unsophisticated person, regarded as being of low social status.

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, likable and an incredible young woman who lends her voice to the underdog of our nation. Or in Aussie slang... She's fucking unreal mate.