In a dead-end town like Barwen a girl has only got 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 possibly-at last-become 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.
EXTRACTShe's got this nearly chinless face, which isn't as bad as it sounds because she's European and her nose bends over in a poetic way.
WHAT I THOUGHTClancy of the Undertow was okay but left me a bit cold. I liked the fact the main character was gay. I think this can be lacking in gay fiction and is one of the reasons I wanted to read the book. Clancy is a pretty decent character but nothing special. I thought her behaviour was a bit pathetic at times, especially when she becomes fixated on a straight girl who she stalks in the park with her boyfriend. A gay person falling for someone straight is a tired and old plot and I was hoping for something original. The book starts off well but starts to drag and I found myself getting bored. I got that Clancy was an outcast and struggling with a lot of things but I just didn't find the plot compelling enough. Nice try though, and a thumbs up for tackling LGBT themes in YA fiction.
