Media release:
August 2024
- Richard Christopher, for SCS.
Once a confused runaway teenager alone in the great big world, Jonnie Comet’s heroine of the Deirdre, the Wanderer
series has matured into a remarkably capable young woman. Possessed of
a hard-earned sense of confidence, good reason for optimism, and more
money than ever before, this is a Deirdre exceeding even her own
expectations for her future.
In Deirdre, the Adventurer: Odyssey (Surf City Source Media Group), 15-year-old Deirdre joins a set of people who truly care for her, returning the admiration and affection in kind and savouring the saccharine satisfaction of being just another happy teenaged girl. Living peacefully in merry old England may be a win/win situation for her. Phyllis and Marie, whom Deirdre met in Oyster’s Pearl, are graduate assistants at the university and unabashed admirers of their young friend, the closest to protective older siblings that Deirdre has ever known. And when she shyly confesses the great purpose of her visit to England, her new soulmate Alison responds with breathless awe and lightheaded romantic whimsy.
Of course Deirdre has longed to reconnect with Henry, whom she met at the romantic Baths of Virgin Gorda. The sweetest scenes are also the most passionate as they move through their daydreaming infatuation with each other towards something that promises a long-term commitment.
‘Dee,’ Marie says to her once, ‘he is an absolute charmer. No girl would resist him; and yet he’s utterly devoted to you. You haven’t given it a thought–?’
Deirdre only blushes— even embarrassment about romance insufficient to derail her native honesty. ‘A thought? A thought, about how often? –oh; shall we say, about five times every minute?’
But all dreams are meant to come true; and the heroine seizes a chance to deliver a friend’s 57-footer from Gibraltar to Greece and a 28-foot sailboat from Greece to Egypt: two great sailing voyages crossing the whole breadth and length of the Mediterranean. After several different kinds of heartbreak she arrives at a third continent where Deirdre immerses herself in culture, sees sights and travels by camel before conducting tourists about the great historical site of Luxor.
The Author is particularly adept with the presentation of secondary and tertiary characters– which everyone but Deirdre in this series is– making them all loveable or despicable by a degree of authenticity rare in plot-driven novels. The ladies of the Mews at Cambridge, Nina’s crew and family, boys who proposition her, cabbies and camel drivers, bankers and bellhops: all bear the distinct characteristics of being real people, not mere set dressing, with whom Deirdre may have meaningful, if only short, associations. Of note is Nina’s Greek great-uncle whose sage, chauvinistic advice and colourful storytelling endear him to Deirdre as the doting grandparent she has never had before. Papi is lovingly encouraging and protective yet sadly aware that they will have to part before either may like, with a lifetime to intervene till they might see each other again.
By this third volume Deirdre has grown into a well-seasoned world traveller with a xenophile’s zeal for new cultures and an uncanny ability to endear herself to all she meets. She learns to communicate in Greek and in Arabic, embraces local customs such wearing a hijab and haggling effectively, deters several crimes, aids others in trouble and gains much respect as well as admiration. With education from a guide book she finds lucrative work conducting guided tours at the Karnak temple. She so impresses the Prasad family that they will enlist her as their daughter’s ayah… a situation that will strongly influence her response to the greatest danger she shall face so far.
Author Comet’s unique background infuses his descriptions of vessels, sailing, oceanic conditions and geography, and maritime procedure with a hands-on authenticity. Deirdre’s actions and decisions are entirely consistent with what a resourceful girl of fifteen can do if she must; and her very realistic attitudes, fears, loyalties and sense of humour only reinforce her appeal as one of the most loveable literary heroines ever.
Deirdre, the Adventurer: Odyssey is available through Amazon.com.
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Surf City Source Media Group. Original text ©Jonnie Comet Productions; used by permission.
