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Kingston by Starlight
Irish-born Anne Bonny is only a teenager when she is left destitute by her mother’s death. Abandoned by her father, she seems destined to be forgotten by the world. But Anne chooses to seek her fortune in the lush tropics of the colonial West Indies, where she passes herself off as a young man named Bonn. She finds work as a ship’s hand, sailing under the command of Calico Jack Rackam, a notorious and charismatic pirate with a bounty on his head. Calico Jack has his heart set on raiding the Madrid Galleon, the richest ship in the Caribbean, which sails from Kingston laden with Cuban gold and Jamaican rum.
Bonn is entranced by the sea and by the ship’s violent crew, which includes a mysterious swordfighter named Read, who, it turns out, has a secret life of his own. Calico Jack soon discovers Bonn’s and Read’s true identities, but it is only when the three pirates are captured that their darkest secrets begin to surface. In the shadow of the gallows, a strange twist of fate reveals a shocking betrayal that may save Bonn from death, while permanently changing everything she has known about her past and the world around her.
Gorgeously written and full of mystery, intrigue, and startling revelations about gender, race, history, and the human heart, Kingston by Starlight is a once-in-a-lifetime read.
Bonn is entranced by the sea and by the ship’s violent crew, which includes a mysterious swordfighter named Read, who, it turns out, has a secret life of his own. Calico Jack soon discovers Bonn’s and Read’s true identities, but it is only when the three pirates are captured that their darkest secrets begin to surface. In the shadow of the gallows, a strange twist of fate reveals a shocking betrayal that may save Bonn from death, while permanently changing everything she has known about her past and the world around her.
Gorgeously written and full of mystery, intrigue, and startling revelations about gender, race, history, and the human heart, Kingston by Starlight is a once-in-a-lifetime read.
330 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
12 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
June 5, 2007
This novel of historical fiction offers a peek into the world of the eighteenth century West Indies as viewed through the eyes of the legendary Ann Bonny, the infamous woman pirate.
The novel chronicles her life beginning in Ireland as a child and her many journeys.. there is action on the high seas and in exotic locales.
This was a fun and page turning read.
The novel chronicles her life beginning in Ireland as a child and her many journeys.. there is action on the high seas and in exotic locales.
This was a fun and page turning read.
April 4, 2019
Well that was a let down. This book had so much potential though! One of the number one reasons it was such a flop for me...I had to read this book along with the dictionary! I dont know that I've ever read a novel with so many words I'd never in my life heard of! Another big reason was the flourish of words used to describe literally everything were mostly superfluous and drew everything out more than necessary. I wish there had been a little more high seas adventure that I had expected from a pirate story. Ah well...maybe the next one.
December 30, 2017
While I truly enjoyed this book, I'm torn about how to rate it. A swashbuckling tale of pirates in the Caribbean in the early 1700s, there's salt spray, sea chases and battles a'plenty — and then the action is stalled by extended descriptions and stories. And while I appreciate a well-chosen word, this book abounds in "oh, my goodness, hand-me-a-dictionary" words I've never encountered before. I mean, Procrustes, appetency, coruscating, anamnesis — really?
And then there are beautiful passages that have me scrambling to underline and dog-ear pages:
"We require small, quiet moments set aside in our days and nights to find the true meaning of what we see and experience. Most people, based on my private observations, do without the reflective moments, and so, without them, they simply follow the footsteps of their lives, never guessing that the path they follow is truly one of chaos, a road that leads in circles, or worse, over a precipice. I, however, safeguard my moments of introspection, checking the charts and maps of my soul, as it were, before continuing on the journey of my life."
How can you resist that??
The main characters are based on historical figures and the narrator is female, written by a male author, which always makes me skeptical, though I think he renders her voice in an authentic manner.
Overall, a good read — just be sure to have a dictionary handy!
And then there are beautiful passages that have me scrambling to underline and dog-ear pages:
"We require small, quiet moments set aside in our days and nights to find the true meaning of what we see and experience. Most people, based on my private observations, do without the reflective moments, and so, without them, they simply follow the footsteps of their lives, never guessing that the path they follow is truly one of chaos, a road that leads in circles, or worse, over a precipice. I, however, safeguard my moments of introspection, checking the charts and maps of my soul, as it were, before continuing on the journey of my life."
How can you resist that??
The main characters are based on historical figures and the narrator is female, written by a male author, which always makes me skeptical, though I think he renders her voice in an authentic manner.
Overall, a good read — just be sure to have a dictionary handy!
June 5, 2008
An amazing novel! One of the best I have read. Farley breathes life into an under documented caribbean history, giving voice to Anne Bonney, a heroic woman who broke through the definitions of sex, gender, and power and becoming one of the most notable pirates of the Caribbean seas during the great age of piracy.
Determined to write a book about Bonney's life, Farley waited until he truly found Anne's voice before writing, and I am certainly glad he did. The vivid account coming in the first person from Anne's point of view in addition to prose-like descriptions of the caribbean waters and life as a free sailor paints a vividly enjoyable portrait, and made me seriously consider land life all together.
Beautifully written, wonderfully composed, Farley creates a truly memorable novel.
Determined to write a book about Bonney's life, Farley waited until he truly found Anne's voice before writing, and I am certainly glad he did. The vivid account coming in the first person from Anne's point of view in addition to prose-like descriptions of the caribbean waters and life as a free sailor paints a vividly enjoyable portrait, and made me seriously consider land life all together.
Beautifully written, wonderfully composed, Farley creates a truly memorable novel.
December 14, 2007
This is a great book if you like to read a semi-fiction with a few historical people and facts thrown in for good measure. The characters made me want to get to know them and root for the underdog. They are pirates afterall, but you get to understand their motivation and hope that they will find happiness in the end and not get killed for thier pirating ways.
September 16, 2009
Cliche after cliche. The thing that blows me away is that my copy was found in the English department at the University of Michigan, and someone has clearly been taking notes in the margin in preparation for writing a paper on this waste of shelf space. Not worth skimming, let alone close reading.
July 2, 2011
Historical fiction narrated by an elderly Anne Bonny. I was expecting gripping pirate adventure, lots of swashbuckling and gorgeous island settings. Instead the stilted language made the story drag, and the characters never came to life for me. Mary Read was the most fascinating character, but she was an enigma. Maybe I'd have better luck with "Pirates!" by Celia Rees.
November 6, 2018
I read this book about thirteen years ago. I loved it, it was the type of novel you begin reading in the evening after supper, and then the next few days , you get lost in the pages. You're missing transit stops and attempting to avoid trees, while walking as you read. This novel is hard to put down .
March 8, 2018
This author thinks like a man - his female lead character does not think like a woman and therefore is not a believable character. Write what you know, not what you wish you knew. I tore it up rather than donated it because I don’t want anyone else to be influenced by his uninformed perspective. Keep dreaming, buddy; women don’t think like men.
April 9, 2021
I purchased this book a number of years ago, but it still lingers with me. It's a lyrical and emotional book, but also realistic and well-researched.
May 25, 2017
This book really swung on the pendulum of the rating scale for me. I started off loving it so much. I loved how the story was being told and I was invested in Bonn's early life and ready to see where she would go, but that excitement wore off in the second part. I wasn't expecting any kind of romance for this book and not only ended up with a romance, but with a weird kind of love triangle (which I hate). Nothing about any of their time on the ship was particularly exciting, and that's what I expected and wanted from a pirate's tale. Then some things in the last 50 pages sparked my interest again. There was one twist near the end that I pretty much knew from the beginning, but then the author gave me a rather sad ending that I wasn't expecting at all.
I did enjoy that there were people from all walks of life aboard the ship Will. They were a ragtag group of men/women that were the rejects of society and found a place where they could truly be themselves. Although it may have been a little much to find representation for most every people group, this is one instance where, to me, it's a believable outcome of the situation.
Two themes that were acknowledged in the last part of the book (although I wish they would've been explored more) were corruption of power (how the government officials were pirates in their own way) and the mob mentality (which made me think of The Crucible, Parade, and Jesus' crucifixion), and those were the themes that grabbed my attention again.
I was really appreciating the feminist tones that the book was taking for a while, but then they started being about something else, and I'm not really sure what the author was trying to get at with some of the things that were said.
1st part - 4 stars
2nd part - 2 stars
3rd part - 3 stars
Overall - 3 stars
I did enjoy that there were people from all walks of life aboard the ship Will. They were a ragtag group of men/women that were the rejects of society and found a place where they could truly be themselves. Although it may have been a little much to find representation for most every people group, this is one instance where, to me, it's a believable outcome of the situation.
Two themes that were acknowledged in the last part of the book (although I wish they would've been explored more) were corruption of power (how the government officials were pirates in their own way) and the mob mentality (which made me think of The Crucible, Parade, and Jesus' crucifixion), and those were the themes that grabbed my attention again.
I was really appreciating the feminist tones that the book was taking for a while, but then they started being about something else, and I'm not really sure what the author was trying to get at with some of the things that were said.
1st part - 4 stars
2nd part - 2 stars
3rd part - 3 stars
Overall - 3 stars
June 16, 2022
Kingston By Starlight by Christopher John Farley. This book made it to the top of my favourite list. I’ve read other books on Anne Bonny and Mary Read. This one I highly recommend for those looking for a good page turner.
December 29, 2015
I initially really liked this book because I loved the author's prose; beautiful writing. I always enjoy historical fictions with strong unique heroines. However, as the plot developed, it fell apart for me. The first being a matter of personal taste: I can't stand long nautical descriptions! I know it was a pirate tale and should of known. There are many more reason besides. The first being there were so many scenes that were far-fetched; simply did not make sense. For instance, when Read reveals herself by ripping her shirt off to escape being killed by Bishop, no one else sees it, even though the whole crew was intently watching the duel and placing bets. And when she gets pregnant while waiting trial in jail by the prisoner next to her {as somehow the stone cell wall happened to fall down I guess} and then is already showing a few days or weeks later which keeps her from being hanged. Bonn's true love is supposed to be Read, but all she thinks about is John and how he is doing, hoping he finds a way to escape when they are awaiting their sentence, and does not even mention Read. It was very over-reaching in that aboard one ship are Native Americans, an African ex-slave Muslim, a Jew, an evil ex-priest, and a transgender.
Pick a cause or group please!
He was going on the historical fact that aboard pirate ships in the 18th century the ridged society lines of race, religion, social class, and sexuality become less important; a pirate republic, or sorts. This may have been true, but the author brought in every demographic possible, making it trite and obvious. The whole "Daddy issue" thing was thrown in too for good measure.
By the end even the prose and symbolism I enjoyed in the beginning of the story was dragged out and disjointed.
Bummer.
Pick a cause or group please!
He was going on the historical fact that aboard pirate ships in the 18th century the ridged society lines of race, religion, social class, and sexuality become less important; a pirate republic, or sorts. This may have been true, but the author brought in every demographic possible, making it trite and obvious. The whole "Daddy issue" thing was thrown in too for good measure.
By the end even the prose and symbolism I enjoyed in the beginning of the story was dragged out and disjointed.
Bummer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2011
disappointing
"Irish-born Anne Bonny is only a teenager when she is left destitute by her mother’s death. Abandoned by her father, she seems destined to be forgotten by the world. But Anne chooses to seek her fortune in the lush tropics of the colonial West Indies, where she passes herself off as a young man named Bonn. She finds work as a ship’s hand, sailing under the command of Calico Jack Rackam, a notorious and charismatic pirate with a bounty on his head. Calico Jack has his heart set on raiding the Madrid Galleon, the richest ship in the Caribbean, which sails from Kingston laden with Cuban gold and Jamaican rum. Bonn is entranced by the sea and by the ship’s violent crew, which includes a mysterious swordfighter named Read, who, it turns out, has a secret life of his own. Calico Jack soon discovers Bonn’s and Read’s true identities, but it is only when the three pirates are captured that their darkest secrets begin to surface. In the shadow of the gallows, a strange twist of fate reveals a shocking betrayal that may save Bonn from death, while permanently changing everything she has known about her past and the world around her."
"Irish-born Anne Bonny is only a teenager when she is left destitute by her mother’s death. Abandoned by her father, she seems destined to be forgotten by the world. But Anne chooses to seek her fortune in the lush tropics of the colonial West Indies, where she passes herself off as a young man named Bonn. She finds work as a ship’s hand, sailing under the command of Calico Jack Rackam, a notorious and charismatic pirate with a bounty on his head. Calico Jack has his heart set on raiding the Madrid Galleon, the richest ship in the Caribbean, which sails from Kingston laden with Cuban gold and Jamaican rum. Bonn is entranced by the sea and by the ship’s violent crew, which includes a mysterious swordfighter named Read, who, it turns out, has a secret life of his own. Calico Jack soon discovers Bonn’s and Read’s true identities, but it is only when the three pirates are captured that their darkest secrets begin to surface. In the shadow of the gallows, a strange twist of fate reveals a shocking betrayal that may save Bonn from death, while permanently changing everything she has known about her past and the world around her."
February 4, 2017
pirates! Woman pirates.
When I was a kid, I read about Anne Bonny and Mary Read as a sort of freakish footnote in the story of the sea. This book puts them front and center. But besides that, it's set in a historical time and place that's very believable and paradisiacal in the same way that a children's historical story generally is; whatever the trials, tribulations, hardships, some part of you wishes you could actually experience it, if only for a day.
Ann felt real to me; the place felt real to me. The portrayals of the other pirates as well.
When I was a kid, I read about Anne Bonny and Mary Read as a sort of freakish footnote in the story of the sea. This book puts them front and center. But besides that, it's set in a historical time and place that's very believable and paradisiacal in the same way that a children's historical story generally is; whatever the trials, tribulations, hardships, some part of you wishes you could actually experience it, if only for a day.
Ann felt real to me; the place felt real to me. The portrayals of the other pirates as well.
June 23, 2012
Poetry in novel form.
While the story is interesting enough to keep a reader entertained, it’s the exquisite writing that makes this such an enjoyable read. Anne Bonny’s adventure from Ireland to the Caribbean, from pirate to prisoner in the gallows, and everything that happens in between, is lushly told by an author that shows his love for the world he’s building by immersing the reader in the world thru the use of beautiful writing.
Even if the writing weren’t so great, the story certainly has enough twists and turns to keep one interested in seeing where it takes you. Each stage of Anne’s journey is full of well-developed, engaging characters that give the story a solid foundation while inexorably driving the story to a wonderful climax.
While the story is interesting enough to keep a reader entertained, it’s the exquisite writing that makes this such an enjoyable read. Anne Bonny’s adventure from Ireland to the Caribbean, from pirate to prisoner in the gallows, and everything that happens in between, is lushly told by an author that shows his love for the world he’s building by immersing the reader in the world thru the use of beautiful writing.
Even if the writing weren’t so great, the story certainly has enough twists and turns to keep one interested in seeing where it takes you. Each stage of Anne’s journey is full of well-developed, engaging characters that give the story a solid foundation while inexorably driving the story to a wonderful climax.
February 6, 2016
I had extremely mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed the pirate adventures, the historical aspects of piracy and the sensual descriptions of West Indian ports of call, but I think the end really went off-course and, frankly, stank. The sexuality was rather banal, as though the author allowed himself to indulge in writing all of his adolescent fantasies. Finally, the involvement of the alpha female pirate (a lesbian) with the wimpy loser "Poop" (a barely pubescent male) because she can't have Anne Bonney demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of women and is an almost unforgiveable character inconsistency. I really enjoyed the first half of this book, but was greatly disappointed by its mangled conclusion.
February 26, 2014
The story was pure swashbuckling action and adventure with quick and fluid transitions from one chapter to the next. The main character is a female but don't discount it! She evolves into a much more complex person by the end of the tale (which follows her throughout her whole life) With vividly set scenes that allow some insight into the times, there are some personal revelations between you and the characters... near death experiences and sometimes confusing sensual moments -tastefully written nothing smutty- It's never once boring and I'd read it again.
January 15, 2009
I had very mixed feelings about this book. I did admire the writing style--especially since it was written by a twenty-first-century man from the view point of a young woman from the 1700s--but the story didn't pull me in. The end was actually quite bizarre plot-wise (when whom she was telling the story to was revealed), but I did like a lot of what was said on the last page.
April 9, 2013
A quick read, well-written with some cool historical tidbits & interesting speculation thrown in. I do wish it had been more in-depth, esp. based on the author's extensive bibliography & the fact that he went to Ireland & the Bahamas over the course of his research. It definitely could've been epic with a bit more development rather than just a "quick read".
April 15, 2008
So...I didn't actually finish this. It didn't hold my interest. There were some interesting parts, but I didn't have the patience to finish it. There was a little too much girl kissing girl action. She has to dress up as a boy so she's gotta be convincing, right? Well...I got a little sick of it.
March 29, 2017
The only thing I really remember liking about the book was that Mary Reed continued to be referred to as "he" even after he was revealed to be a woman, and how much he loved Anne. Nothing else was really memorable.
August 11, 2009
a book about women dressed as men living as pirates -- roaming around Jamaica. Not a topic that I know alot about and the characters were interesting enough to me to hold my attention. not alot of arr matey talk if that's what you are looking for.
some raciness without chests a heaving...
some raciness without chests a heaving...
August 12, 2010
At first, I thought Christopher Farley's Kingston by Starlight was lyrical. Then I realized the novel was taking forever to make points and plot advancements. Add to that every predictable storyline you can think of involving a woman-disguised-as-man, pirates, and daddy issues = Yawn.
July 26, 2012
Historical fiction about an Irish girl who becomes a pirate, falls in love, heads to Jamaica & kicks a lot of ass along the way. And the book makes you think? Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Perfect, fun summer read.
September 3, 2008
poetic diction with a primal hunger so deep it makes me pine for another life more daring.
November 18, 2008
Fictional take on the lives of female pirates in the 18th century. I found it enjoyable but not amazing.
March 9, 2009
This is an amazing story that includes numerous genres worthy of exploration: Gender roles, Privateering,...
May 27, 2018
One of the strangest books I have ever read, but for some reason it is one of my favorites.
November 22, 2009
I loved this book about Anne Bonny.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews