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adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
One of the best historical fiction novels I’ve ever read! If you like queer pirates and detailed descriptions of 18th-century seafaring, this is for you. The writing is beautiful and evocative. Perhaps it could have done with a little more pacing and tension in the second half, but overall it’s well constructed and the huge amount of detailed historical research brings the golden age of pirates to life.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Violence, War
Minor: Homophobia
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Lesbophobia, War
Minor: Infidelity, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Religious bigotry, Dysphoria
adventurous
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow! A beautiful piece of historical fiction! You can tell this is super well researched, and the author only took very few liberties (stated clearly) when it comes to the story of the book vs. actual historical fact, at least as far as existing historical records go. The writing was stunning! Quite crude at times, which took me aback, but the story being told from the character of Mary Read’s perspective, it only made it more immersive and believable in my opinion. In general, this was way more character driven than I would have expected and than most other works of historical fiction I’ve read. I found that quite an interesting take on a story which you could very easily have told through the plot, since there is a lot of potential for high-stakes action on every page (it is about pirates, after all). I am usually more of a fan of more plot-driven stories, which is maybe why this wasn’t a five star read for me, but I did really really enjoy it and would highly recommend it! A really fun and different way to learn about a really cool character from real history. So glad I stumbled upon this little gem!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Cancer, Death, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Terminal illness, Violence, Abortion, Pregnancy, War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Confinement, Infidelity, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Brilliant writing, cleverly crafted, and so well-researched and believable that if any small liberties were taken with historical accuracy, you can’t tell what they are.
I kind of wish Mary drove more of the plot herself - sometimes it felt like she was an observer rather than an actor in the story - but her descriptions and observations of the world around her were completely immersive.
This is a nice long read that trusts itself and doesn’t rush. First mention of pirates: page 140
I kind of wish Mary drove more of the plot herself - sometimes it felt like she was an observer rather than an actor in the story - but her descriptions and observations of the world around her were completely immersive.
This is a nice long read that trusts itself and doesn’t rush. First mention of pirates: page 140
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Pregnancy, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a great time and how fortunate that I snatched this book from my friend's "sort out" pile; otherwise, I probably wouldn't have come across it!
We follow the story of Mary Read, one of history's most famous female pirates. The first few chapters move quite fast through her childhood and adolescence. Her mother makes her take on her dead brother's name to keep receiving an allowance and later to open up more possibilities of earning money. This way, Mary makes her way from serving at a big house, to the navy, to the army, all while being "Mark" to everyone but her mother.
It feels like she lives an entire life (including marriage and pregnancy) before she even starts her "career" as a pirate and meets Anne Bonny and Jack Rackham.
The historical accounts about Mary Read are not very extensive. As a consequence, the book contains some historical inaccuracies or simply parts that were made up, as the author remarks herself at the end. I also really appreciated the writing style; it was beautiful yet still didn't try to conceal anything ugly. Mary is not a well-mannered lady, and thus her language is at times crude, but it only contributes to the atmosphere, in my opinion.
I'm only deducting half a star because the middle was a bit slow for me, and I had some trouble staying consistently reading. (It was mostly the part where she lives with her husband because I could tell Mary was bored, so I also got a bit passive about it.)
We follow the story of Mary Read, one of history's most famous female pirates. The first few chapters move quite fast through her childhood and adolescence. Her mother makes her take on her dead brother's name to keep receiving an allowance and later to open up more possibilities of earning money. This way, Mary makes her way from serving at a big house, to the navy, to the army, all while being "Mark" to everyone but her mother.
It feels like she lives an entire life (including marriage and pregnancy) before she even starts her "career" as a pirate and meets Anne Bonny and Jack Rackham.
The historical accounts about Mary Read are not very extensive. As a consequence, the book contains some historical inaccuracies or simply parts that were made up, as the author remarks herself at the end. I also really appreciated the writing style; it was beautiful yet still didn't try to conceal anything ugly. Mary is not a well-mannered lady, and thus her language is at times crude, but it only contributes to the atmosphere, in my opinion.
I'm only deducting half a star because the middle was a bit slow for me, and I had some trouble staying consistently reading. (It was mostly the part where she lives with her husband because I could tell Mary was bored, so I also got a bit passive about it.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Slavery, Sexual harassment
Minor: Terminal illness, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book, because I'm not a historical fiction fan, this is a book club read for the month.
However, I absolutely loved this book.
It's exploration of gender & queerness was fabulous.
Set between the late 16 & 17 hundreds it follows Mary (Mark) Read, a woman raised as a boy who who enrolls in the Navy and 16 and later joins the army. Later in her life she becomes a pirate, you follow her whole life through the book. Mary Read was a real female pirate, this book is based off historical papers woven into fiction.
Gorgeous story, I don't want to give too much away. It's a great, great, book!
However, I absolutely loved this book.
It's exploration of gender & queerness was fabulous.
Set between the late 16 & 17 hundreds it follows Mary (Mark) Read, a woman raised as a boy who who enrolls in the Navy and 16 and later joins the army. Later in her life she becomes a pirate, you follow her whole life through the book. Mary Read was a real female pirate, this book is based off historical papers woven into fiction.
Gorgeous story, I don't want to give too much away. It's a great, great, book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, War
Moderate: Cancer, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Slavery, Outing, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Slavery, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read for LN Book Club.
This book grew on me as I read it and I'd put it somewhere between 4-4.5 stars. It wasn't at all what I was expecting but I enjoyed it anyway.
That being said, it took me a while to really get into this book and for it to really grab my attention. The short scene cuts annoyed the hell out of me at the beginning. I didn't really see their point or use as I’m someone who likes a lot of detail in the books I read and description (but not Nathaniel Hawthorne describe a door for 2 pages level).
But midway through reading the book, I realized why the author does the short scene cuts and why they're so plentiful in the early ages of Mary's life and there's not as much description. It’s a clever way to show memory and tell a story. If you look over the whole book, the beginning is less detailed descriptions of people because Mary just can’t remember them. Towards the end/her present, the descriptions get better because it’s more recent and fresh in her own memory.
It was advertised as a very queer book and about Anne Bonny and Mary Read. While it is queer and Anne Bonny is a significant character, neither of those are the focus or often referenced in the book. Anne Bonny isn't even mentioned until p. 145. Gender identity is discussed quite often in the story (Mark vs. Mary, etc.) but sexuality (especially Mary's interest in women), isn't addressed until p. 204 and nothing happens between Mary and another woman until p.256.
I quite enjoyed Crow as a character and her constant companionship.
So many people Mary cared about or loved really haunted her, or perhaps sailed with her throughout the story. So many deaths and losses and yet they never really stopped. The jail scene at the end was heartbreaking but also freeing (also clever way for the author to explain Mary's end. I really enjoyed Mary's crow name and found it really fitting.
Book was recommended to me by the owner of Artemis Books in Aachen, where it was also purchased.
This book grew on me as I read it and I'd put it somewhere between 4-4.5 stars. It wasn't at all what I was expecting but I enjoyed it anyway.
That being said, it took me a while to really get into this book and for it to really grab my attention. The short scene cuts annoyed the hell out of me at the beginning. I didn't really see their point or use as I’m someone who likes a lot of detail in the books I read and description (but not Nathaniel Hawthorne describe a door for 2 pages level).
But midway through reading the book, I realized why the author does the short scene cuts and why they're so plentiful in the early ages of Mary's life and there's not as much description. It’s a clever way to show memory and tell a story. If you look over the whole book, the beginning is less detailed descriptions of people because Mary just can’t remember them. Towards the end/her present, the descriptions get better because it’s more recent and fresh in her own memory.
It was advertised as a very queer book and about Anne Bonny and Mary Read. While it is queer and Anne Bonny is a significant character, neither of those are the focus or often referenced in the book. Anne Bonny isn't even mentioned until p. 145. Gender identity is discussed quite often in the story (Mark vs. Mary, etc.) but sexuality (especially Mary's interest in women), isn't addressed until p. 204 and nothing happens between Mary and another woman until p.256.
I quite enjoyed Crow as a character and her constant companionship.
Book was recommended to me by the owner of Artemis Books in Aachen, where it was also purchased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, War, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Blood, Grief, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Moderate: Terminal illness, Violence, Vomit, Lesbophobia, Colonisation