An Incredible Adventure with a Deeper Meaning

Author Josh Donellan’s ‘Zeb and the Great Ruckus’ is a whimsical allegory that both kids and adults will love

Author Josh Donellan’s Zeb and the Great Ruckus is an imaginative tale set in a fantastical world, starring a hero that kids will love.

In the mystical land of Bravura, a strange species called the Aleph has begun to disappear.  Magical creatures that have no mouth, but feed on the sounds of music with their enormous ears, the Alephs have become scarce since an evil Czar has taken over and outlawed all forms of music and art in his attempt to control the people of Bravura.

One day, mischievous young Zeb and his eccentric best friend, Flip, find an Aleph hiding in the woods.  Knowing that the songspell of the Aleph can cure disease and heal wounds, Zeb and Flip begin a brave quest to find the last of the remaining Alephs.  

Since the diabolical Czar drove away all of the artists and forced them into exile, this is no easy task for Zeb. Armed only with a ball of magical clay and an old harmonica, they must search out a guitarist of legend, one who is said to be protecting the last of the Alephs, and convince him to return to the village they come from and help to start an insurrection that will free the Alephs and the people of Bravura from the Czar’s evil clutches.

Charming and elegantly composed, Zeb and the Great Ruckus is a great tale with an important allegorical message about the dangers of an overly restrictive society and the significance of art and human expression. Combining both ridiculous humour and insightful societal critique, this is a book for children and adults alike to enjoy.

Josh Donellan


Josh Donellan, (also a teacher, musician, slam poet, radio announcer and music journalist), wrote Zeb and the Great Ruckus as both a celebration of art and music and a critique of the forces that try to oppress them. Heavily influenced by the Narnia Chronicles, Calvin and Hobbes and the Gormenghast trilogy, Zeb and the Great Ruckus is his second novel. His debut, A Beginner’s Guide to Dying in India, was an extremely well received novel for adults released in 2009 that combined elements of humour, travel fiction, adventure and philosophy.

For more information, please visit http://jmdonellan.com.
Follow Josh Donellan on Twitter @JMDonellan.
“Like” Zeb and the Great Ruckus on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ZebAndTheGreatRuckus.


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For media inquiries or to request a review copy, please contact:

Michelle Lovi, Publisher, Odyssey Books
contact@odysseybooks.com.au