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PA JOE'S PLACE
by Clancy Tucker Boo is a seven-year-old Thai girl whose father is dying. She must leave home and travel 1700 kilometres to live in an orphanage, ‘Pa Joe’s Place’, run by a foreigner (farang). With a bag of clothes, some food and a mysterious envelope addressed to ‘Pa Joe’, she endures an adventurous train trip to Songkhla. On the way, she meets influential people who know Pa Joe, and a wise monk who gives Boo a lucky amulet. She settles into ‘Pa Joe’s Place’, makes friends and inspires Pa; an American Jesuit priest who has cared for Thai orphans for 50 years. She and her friends establish a successful jam-making business to make money for Pa and Boo meets Jack Ryan, an Australian farmer she admires. Shattered by the death of her father, the girl runs from Pa Joe’s Place, but is soon found by Pa and the Chief of Police. Boo has survived four life-threatening situations since she left home: a train crash, snakebite, tsunami and a fire. Suddenly she takes ill and is rushed to hospital. Will her lucky amulet help her to survive? |
PJP -
REVIEW BY STEFAN VUCAK
Hoei, Boo! With ‘Pa Joe’s Place’, Clancy Tucker has created an extraordinary piece of writing. From the first page, I fell in love with little Boo’s unpretentious yet endearing character, as will every reader, whether young or young at heart. Wherever Boo goes, she touches people in a special way. Told from a child’s perspective, the story doesn’t have much of a plot, but what Clancy Tucker offers will tug at every reader’s heartstrings, which more than makes up for that small deficiency. The novel has superb writing with excellent narrative and dialogue; a jewel. This book can be read more than once, revealing flashes of pleasure that may have been missed before.
‘Pa Joe’s Place’ also plunges the reader into aspects of Thai culture and the harsh life of its people struggling to survive in an environment tourists perceive as idyllic. Given this glimpse, the reader will be tempted to visit Songkhla for himself and see that land through Boo’s eyes. The ending is sure to leave the reader tearful. This is a story no one will forget soon.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely; a pleasure to come across such a work, having reviewed some very ordinary efforts.
Stefan Vucak, Editor, Award-winning Australian author
PJP - VICKI CASE 5-STAR REVIEW ON AMAZON
“WOW! Where do I begin? PA JOE's PLACE is an extraordinary book that had me captivated from its inaugural page & retained my interest and total attention throughout. It’s the story of an incredible Thai girl who gives so much to the world in such a short life. Although her life was short she touched the hearts and souls of everyone who came into contact with her. The world definitely lost an Angel the day it lost Boo.
Throughout the pages of this amazing book I found myself crying; caught up in the inspirational and highly emotional story line which is based on a real life experience. We go through life just existing. It’s not until someone such as Clancy TUCKER takes the time to write a great book about their experiences that we sit back and realize just how many people there are out there that selflessly give of themselves to others; never asking for any form of remuneration or recognition.
PA JOE's PLACE is; without a shadow of a doubt; a MUST READ. I cannot remember ever reading a book where I found myself reading it through a tsunami of tears that just wouldn't stop. I found myself caught up in the story; feeling each and every moment of happiness, sadness and; especially loss. It is with great pleasure that I award this book 5 stars & if it was possible I would have given it 10 stars.”
Vicki Case, Poet, New South Wales, Australia
Dr Judith O’Malley-Ford, Author, GP, Artist, Queensland, Australia
“It’s a great book … A very moving story … Highly passionate. It has a real presence, and the humanitarian component. It’s great, She’s great, You’re great.”
Charkrienorrathip Sevikul
Counsellor& Consul, Royal Thai Embassy, Tehran.
“I am delighted to inform you that I have just finished reading PJP, and I am really moved. Boo seems like an extraordinary girl. It is a moving and inspiring story which can be an inspiration for so many people, young and old, regardless of their race or religion. I can't put it any other way but to say "Love your work, Khun Clancy."
Hoei, Boo! With ‘Pa Joe’s Place’, Clancy Tucker has created an extraordinary piece of writing. From the first page, I fell in love with little Boo’s unpretentious yet endearing character, as will every reader, whether young or young at heart. Wherever Boo goes, she touches people in a special way. Told from a child’s perspective, the story doesn’t have much of a plot, but what Clancy Tucker offers will tug at every reader’s heartstrings, which more than makes up for that small deficiency. The novel has superb writing with excellent narrative and dialogue; a jewel. This book can be read more than once, revealing flashes of pleasure that may have been missed before.
‘Pa Joe’s Place’ also plunges the reader into aspects of Thai culture and the harsh life of its people struggling to survive in an environment tourists perceive as idyllic. Given this glimpse, the reader will be tempted to visit Songkhla for himself and see that land through Boo’s eyes. The ending is sure to leave the reader tearful. This is a story no one will forget soon.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely; a pleasure to come across such a work, having reviewed some very ordinary efforts.
Stefan Vucak, Editor, Award-winning Australian author
PJP - VICKI CASE 5-STAR REVIEW ON AMAZON
“WOW! Where do I begin? PA JOE's PLACE is an extraordinary book that had me captivated from its inaugural page & retained my interest and total attention throughout. It’s the story of an incredible Thai girl who gives so much to the world in such a short life. Although her life was short she touched the hearts and souls of everyone who came into contact with her. The world definitely lost an Angel the day it lost Boo.
Throughout the pages of this amazing book I found myself crying; caught up in the inspirational and highly emotional story line which is based on a real life experience. We go through life just existing. It’s not until someone such as Clancy TUCKER takes the time to write a great book about their experiences that we sit back and realize just how many people there are out there that selflessly give of themselves to others; never asking for any form of remuneration or recognition.
PA JOE's PLACE is; without a shadow of a doubt; a MUST READ. I cannot remember ever reading a book where I found myself reading it through a tsunami of tears that just wouldn't stop. I found myself caught up in the story; feeling each and every moment of happiness, sadness and; especially loss. It is with great pleasure that I award this book 5 stars & if it was possible I would have given it 10 stars.”
Vicki Case, Poet, New South Wales, Australia
Dr Judith O’Malley-Ford, Author, GP, Artist, Queensland, Australia
“It’s a great book … A very moving story … Highly passionate. It has a real presence, and the humanitarian component. It’s great, She’s great, You’re great.”
Charkrienorrathip Sevikul
Counsellor& Consul, Royal Thai Embassy, Tehran.
“I am delighted to inform you that I have just finished reading PJP, and I am really moved. Boo seems like an extraordinary girl. It is a moving and inspiring story which can be an inspiration for so many people, young and old, regardless of their race or religion. I can't put it any other way but to say "Love your work, Khun Clancy."