'BOLD JOURNEY' REVIEWS

Review by John Campbell - Feb 2017. The book, 'Bold Journey' - by Clancy Tucker - 

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.        

Bold Journey by Clancy Tucker (Clancy Tucker Publishing)

PB RRP $15.00 plus $3.00 for postage Australia

ISBN 9780994601025

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

 The story begins in 1954, when the Agnelli family set out for Australia on an Assisted Migrant Scheme. The positives and negatives of their decision are cleverly woven into a delicate and moving story of migration, with themes of friendship, family, bullying, and the huge impact the kindness and generosity of strangers can have on people’s lives.

Cat Ginelli and ‘Fozzie’ Agnelli have been friends since childhood after meeting on the ship. Their years of friendship, togetherness, learning, discovery, and shared grief, is slowly transformed into something powerful, but unspoken. While life leads them along different and distant paths as they grow, the emotional ties between them remain unbroken.

       Will they finally come together at the official function put on by Amnesty International, or will the story of their life together end due to those words unspoken?

The struggles and challenges the Agnelli family face are the struggles of every migrant family of the post-war years. The courage and determination of they have to adapt and succeed reflect the characteristics of migrants of that era, and many of those of today.

Through his work, Clancy again seizes the opportunity to bring into focus, issues that he is passionate about. He addresses the humanitarian need of countries ravaged by war and poverty, with the intention that it will ‘stir the conscience’ of his readers, and the world in general. He makes reference to the Vietnam and Korean wars and their futility in a significant way.

This is an interesting and well-constructed novel which is historically valuable, in that it reflects on the how and why, Europeans left their homelands for a better life, what they found, and what they did with what they had.

Clancy Tucker has created lovable characters and moving scenes. He has presented a wide view of migrant life. All this is folded into a story of love, hope and sacrifice. Suited for ages 8-80, it also shows the multi-faceted lives of post-war Australians through dialogue, varying voices and points of view.

Review by Vicki Case, one of Australia's finest poets:

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED IT 5 May 2017

By Vicki CASE - Published on Amazon.com

When you pick up a Clancy Tucker book you can be rest assured you will not be disappointed. Bold Journey is no exception - yet another Clancy heart string tugger for sure.

Bold Journey is a story of two Italian families who individually make a decision to migrate to a foreign land (Australia) so their children can have a better life. In doing so, the AGNELLI & GINELLI families have to leave their family & friends behind & sail to the unknown. Despite the distance however, they never forget or lose contact with their families, their heritage or their culture.

En route to Australia, aboard the Achille Lauro, children; Fausto AGNELLI forges a lifelong friendship with Caterina GINELLI. The two share so many great times & adventures together until one day their lives have to take an individual road, a road to their chosen careers. Fausto wants to be a journalist, whilst Caterina wants to pursue nursing. Little did they realise, that their careers would bring them together again & again, however not in the circumstances they would prefer.

Years later they are both nominated for individual international awards for their respective work. Will they again be united, or not?

Bold Journey is another brilliant literary work by Australia's multi award-winning author - Clancy Tucker. Each of his books are different; yet each contains an ethical moral that will bring you to tears.

I loved this book from beginning to end & I know you will to. I highly recommend Bold Journey, regardless of your age. It’s a beautiful journey that will leave you wanting more - Cat & Fozzie's journey. I pray there is a sequel.