Slipping the Noose

(Paperback)

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Description

This rollicking historical novel from Australian writer Meg Caddy takes us into the world of real-life pirate Anne Bonny, picking up her story where history left off. The way out is through. Anne Bonny is chained up in the hold of a prison ship, nursing nine-month-old Molly. The baby is all she has left of Calico Jack, the swaggering pirate captain who loved her and stole her away to sea-and who now hangs from a gibbet. When armed men rip the child from her grasp, Bonny can do nothing and Molly seems lost. But Anne Bonny was not cut out for despair. She will plan for escape and rescue, and the plan will become action. And the streets of London will belong to her and her daughter-and the ragtag remnants of Calico Jack's crew. Anne Bonny looms large in the history of piracy on the high seas. But history, having left the notorious female buccaneer languishing in a Jamaican jail, then carelessly mislaid her. Fortunately we have Meg Caddy to imagine her subsequent exploits and whereabouts, and to bring them so vividly and rakishly to life.

Reviews

You spend most of the book cheering them on, furiously turning the pagesgreat for readers of action-filled historical fiction. * Books + Publishing on Devil's Ballast *
[A] strong, brine-soaked adventure. * Wall Street Journal on Devil's Ballast *
Caddy maintains historical authenticity throughout, neither dampening the violence of the setting nor the dangers of having a marginalized bodyA satisfying seafaring adventure. * Kirkus on Devil's Ballast *
A fascinating readwill enthral lovers of historical fictionThe narrative is written in the voices of Bonny and Read, and both come alive for the reader. * ReadPlus *
Caddy is unsparing in her description of the seamier side of London life. She includes contemporary issuesJacobitism, feminism, gender identity and homosexualityto provide a lively and authentic background to the story. * Magpies *
A rollicking piece of feminist historical fictionEngaging and entertainingExcellent for YA readers seeking cultural representation and LGBTQI+ inclusivity. * SAETA *

Author Bio

Meg Caddy is a part-time bookseller and a full-time nerd. Their fantasy novel Waer was shortlisted for the 2013 Text Prize and the 2017 CBCA Book of the Year Award, and their historical fiction Devil's Ballast was shortlisted for the 2020 Readings YA Book Prize. They are currently undertaking a PhD in queer fiction.