'BOLD JOURNEY'
- GREAT REVIEW -
G'day folks,
I've probably mentioned previously that my first book, 'Gunnedah Hero', will soon be a movie, produced and directed by Australian film maker, John Campbell. John has been a fan of all my books, and he has just read and reviewed my latest. Here are his comments ...
"I have read all of Clancy's books to date,
and enjoyed every one of them. This, his latest publication, 'Bold Journey', is
no exception. As an evening reader, I do lose far too much sleep reading his
books. I always find myself wanting to read just one more chapter. Fatal; five
chapters later, out come the matchsticks to 'prop up the eyelids'.
Truly an author who keeps you on the edge
of your seat. You never know what shock he has in store for you on the very next
page. So it was with 'Bold Journey'. Having read the back cover, I couldn't
wait to get a copy myself, and find out more. I was not disappointed.
Clancy is a skilled artist with words, and
he taught me the technique of writing brief and to the point sentences in my
film scripts. His descriptive narrative immediately draws you deep into the story
from the very first paragraph.
It was at dinner one evening, in their
little Italian Village of Santorini, that Severino Angelli proposes to his
family that they pack up and emigrate. "Where", gasped his startled
wife, Anna Maria;
"Australia!". Soon the Angelli family find themselves aboard
the 'Achille Lauro' destined for a brand new life on the other side of the world.
Waving goodbye to their relatives and friends, and severing his fond attachment
with each of his brothers, Severino suddenly realizes the impact of his
decision.
Life aboard ship soon dispels the initial
shock, as the Angellis befriend the Ginellis, another migrating family, with
whom they are to forge a close friendship for many years. Severino's son,
"Fozzie" and 'Cat' Ginelli instantly become inseparable friends
aboard ship.
Later, Cat and Fozzie go their separate
ways, embracing very different careers in their new country, but each
possessing a compassionate feeling for others. Much later, they do meet again,
but under the most unexpected circumstances.
Cat is a nurse, working with the starving
and dying masses in Ethiopia, caught in an impossible quest; Fozzie, a
successful journalist, feels drawn to investigate their plight. Back in London,
a severe, life threatening illness, brings Cat to the bedside of an unconscious
Fozzie. Do they ever come together
again?
I love the way Clancy weaves into his
stories, the most complex and unexpected outcomes. All the usual joys and
tragedies in life, beset his characters, but I recall in each of his works, he
builds a passionate and lovable nature into many of his youngsters.
Some friends tell me that they feel Clancy
writes his stories for young readers. Whilst
heroically featuring the outstanding lives of some of the children and young
teenagers in his scripts, he enthralls adults of all ages, and keeps everyone poised
right to the very end.
So, 'Bold
Journey'. A slow, but probably necessary beginning, steeped in the historical
detail of a city I know well. I loved it and give it an A1. rating, Clancy. As
you say, it would make a great movie. I agree!
John Campbell. Film Director, Victoria,
Australia."
John Campbell
Clancy's comment: Thanks, John. Much appreciated. So, folks, if this review has whet your appetite and made you curious, head up to the top right-hand side of this page and purchase a copy of Bold Journey - paperback or E-book.
In regard to the movie, Gunnedah Hero, I will say more about that in the coming weeks.
I'm ....
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