Elizabeth Garrett (1)

This story intrigued me for two reasons. First, I am reading a bunch of pirate history this summer. And two, I love reading James Nelson's history books. His version of the story of Anne Bonney, Mary Read and Calico Jack Rackam was fascinating in that he was able to take all the known historical accounts of their lives (which is not much), and fill in all the rest, to create a interesting story. One of the reasons I love historical fiction is the way a good author can bring people back to show more life, so to speak. I felt that Nelson had a bit of admiration (or sympathy) for Mary Read, and contempt for Rackam. I can also understand why he used a female pen name (the version I read) for the original publishing due to the romance novel narrative in some places. All in all, an enjoyable read, and a catalyst for doing some additional research on those historical figures. show less

This is the story of Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Calico Jack Rackam. Three pirates from the 1700s. It's a fictional story, but based on some historical fact.

It's not an original pirate story by any means. There's pirating, beautiful beaches, water, and a not surprising ending to it all.

I think I read it because I had hope that it would be a slightly different book than it turned out to be, plot wise. It didn't become what I wished it would. It was a heterosexual romance novel masquerading as show more a historical piece.

Not all of it was bad of course or I wouldn't have given it three stars. The relationships between the three main characters were interesting, as were the characters themselves. Anne Bonny, who played at being a man but in the end was definitely a female pirate, Mary Read who survived a hard life by turning into Michael and also found a pirate at her core. Along with Calico Jack Rackam they formed a lover's triangle where on ly two of them were lovers.

The scenes in Cuba were also good, and the writing on the whole was good, but I think the main problem I had with the book was that although it was supposed to a book about the lives of pirates, there was very little urgency in the novel, there was very little adventure, no unknowns around the corner or on the next tide. It was a flat, predictable novel. show less

A fun little book about the pirates Anne Bonney, Mary Read, and Calico Jack Rackham.

I found the early story of Mary Read the most interesting - she spent most of her life disguised as a man, fighting in the English cavalry and falling in love with her tentmate. Anne Bonney is a childish rebel who runs off to Nassau with her first husband, whom she promptly leaves when she meets Calico Jack. Jack Rackham is the fearsome pirate captain who hides deep cowardice behind a swaggering facade. Mary show more and Jack struggle with their double identities, while Anne is a much less conflicted character.

A fairly absorbing, if quick read. show less