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The Braver Thing
From the acclaimed author of The Winter Family , a swash-buckling adventure from piracy's Golden Age and a deft political allegory for our troubled times. Treasure Island meets Lord of the Flies .
In 1721, when the most notorious pirates are either dead or on the run, Jimmy Kavanagh, who sailed with Blackbeard, decides to pull together a "Company of Gentleman of Fortune" for one last "Adventuring Cruise" that will set them all up for life. All begins the pirates sail across the Atlantic and sack Cape Coast Castle, looting it of chests of gold ill-gotten from the slave trade. But before Kavanagh can lead them on, he sickens, unleashing a drastic series of power struggles among the company. As further victories transform them from the hunters to the hunted, the pirates descend into mutiny, show trials, assassination and tyranny as they flee from their pursuers and struggle against the seas.
Full of epic sea battles and storms, peopled with characters worthy of Mutiny on the Bounty , Jackman's pirate voyage is also an object lesson in how political systems degrade as the pirates, who set out as a band of brothers, are powerless to prevent the erosion of the norms and values that hold their Company together. Where they end will shock you. But given our own times, it might not surprise you.
In 1721, when the most notorious pirates are either dead or on the run, Jimmy Kavanagh, who sailed with Blackbeard, decides to pull together a "Company of Gentleman of Fortune" for one last "Adventuring Cruise" that will set them all up for life. All begins the pirates sail across the Atlantic and sack Cape Coast Castle, looting it of chests of gold ill-gotten from the slave trade. But before Kavanagh can lead them on, he sickens, unleashing a drastic series of power struggles among the company. As further victories transform them from the hunters to the hunted, the pirates descend into mutiny, show trials, assassination and tyranny as they flee from their pursuers and struggle against the seas.
Full of epic sea battles and storms, peopled with characters worthy of Mutiny on the Bounty , Jackman's pirate voyage is also an object lesson in how political systems degrade as the pirates, who set out as a band of brothers, are powerless to prevent the erosion of the norms and values that hold their Company together. Where they end will shock you. But given our own times, it might not surprise you.
448 pages, Paperback
First published May 11, 2020
4 people are currently reading
493 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 29, 2022
fulfilling my 2022 goal to read one book each month that was not published in my country that i wanted badly enough to have a copy shipped to me from abroad and then...never read.
review pending!
review pending!
October 16, 2020
I was so excited to read this… as hot on the heels of Gil Adamson’s Ridgerunner as I could find the time to read it… I grew up at my grandfather’s knee reading his Louis L’Amour and Zane Grey and all… I devoured Jackman’s previous novel, The Winter Family, when it came out… it ranks right up there for me with Gil Adamson's The Outlander, and Patrick DeWitt’s The Sisters Brothers, as a particular Canadian favourite of mine… I will also admit to a certain love of Robert Hough’s The Man Who Saved Henry Morgan… another tale in which all things pirate abound.
This, The Braver Thing, is certainly a timely novel - what with how horribly wrong things seems to be going everywhere these days, and how questionably our democratic processes seem to be functioning. I did find that things bogged down a little in places, and I had trouble feeling connected to some of the characters, but the action keeps moving the reader forward. As with The Winter Family, the book is impeccably well researched and is not wanting for atmosphere. If you want to experience life as lived by a rowdy bunch of pirates, read on.
Be prepared, however… if you dare to go down this path, be sure you have the constitution (!) for what comes… the seas get more than a little choppy on this ride. And you will be challenged to ask - and answer - just what is the braver thing...
3.5
This, The Braver Thing, is certainly a timely novel - what with how horribly wrong things seems to be going everywhere these days, and how questionably our democratic processes seem to be functioning. I did find that things bogged down a little in places, and I had trouble feeling connected to some of the characters, but the action keeps moving the reader forward. As with The Winter Family, the book is impeccably well researched and is not wanting for atmosphere. If you want to experience life as lived by a rowdy bunch of pirates, read on.
Be prepared, however… if you dare to go down this path, be sure you have the constitution (!) for what comes… the seas get more than a little choppy on this ride. And you will be challenged to ask - and answer - just what is the braver thing...
3.5
June 21, 2022
A good piratey book with adventure, action, and a descent into utter chaos.
March 14, 2021
This book is the most fun I've had reading in quite a while. The plot was never predictable and kept me entertained with every twist and turn.
One of the things that made this book fun is the unique setting. It was like a western on the high seas. I knew nothing about pirates of this time and it was very different that I'd expected. I was pleased to find out that elements of pirate life such as a form of democracy were accurate.
One of the things that made this book fun is the unique setting. It was like a western on the high seas. I knew nothing about pirates of this time and it was very different that I'd expected. I was pleased to find out that elements of pirate life such as a form of democracy were accurate.
September 19, 2020
So good. It gets darker and darker in the best way. Lord of the Flies for grownups.
September 3, 2020
A few months ago I was scrolling through a publishing catalog and I came across a work of literary fiction all about pirates in the 1700s, so obviously I had to read it! Old-timey pirates; I find them equal parts fascinating and scary. I was curious to see if these pirates would be depicted as the Halloween-costume replicas we expect in popular culture; talking parrots, eye patches, missing teeth, you get the idea. I also liked the idea of reading a book set on a pirate ship, a unique adventure novel I never knew I wanted to read until now. The Braver Thing by Clifford Jackman did not disappoint because it had all I wanted and more: skulls and crossbones, chests of gold coins, billowing sails snapping on the high seas, and rum, lots of it!. No wonder they developed scurvy, their tummies were full of alcohol and not much else.
This pirate ship is setting sail for one purpose, and one purpose only; to steal loot. Kavanagh is your typical pirate, complete with one glass eye, but he’s also an adept businessman, gathering investors and fellow pirates to sail “the Taoiseach”, which he is captain of. Fully stocked with both men and supplies, the Taoiseach launches in 1721 from the Bahamas, headed to ports known for their riches. Before they leave, the men all sign a copy of “The Articles” which is essentially a long list of rules they agree to abide by. From the outset, it appears as though the rules are meant to ensure they maintain a democracy on board, but as circumstances change, leadership is called into question and what seemed so simple at the beginning quickly turns sour. Every time a change in rules is requested or a major event is about to take place, the pirates all gather for a meeting, sometimes more than once per day. We lament the amount of meetings that are foisted upon us in 2020, but turns out, meetings have always been a problem, even a few centuries ago. I’m grateful for technology like Zoom, but gathering on the deck of a ship sounds way better than starting at my laptop…
My Thoughts
As I mentioned above, the premise of this book alone intrigued me, simply because we don’t seem to get many pirate tales these days. The fact that the pirates in this novel were exactly as I pictured them also helped me orient myself to the promised adventure. I knew going in (based on stereotypes alone) that these characters would be nasty in both dress and attitude, and my expectations were exceeded. Their despicable behavior was truly horrible, but because I was prepared to have this reaction, it did not shock me. What I found truly appalling was the treatment of black people. We all know it happened, yet every time I’m faced with the brutality, it’s a cruel reminder what kind of past these people rose from. There is one scene in particular that still haunts me. The pirates loot a castle on the coast that holds slaves before shipping them west, but before the pirates begin collecting their treasure, they free all the slaves that were being held. Realizing the futility of their escape as they were surrounded by colonies who would re-capture them, most of the slaves simply walked into the surf, drowning themselves rather than face the potential of another capture. Even the pirates were moved by this heartbreaking display, and out of all the violence that occurs in this story, this scene remains the hardest to read.
There are well over 30 characters, and even though there’s a list explaining who is who at the beginning of the book, I still found it difficult to keep track. However, the specifics of each person and their temperament aren’t the key to this plot, instead, The Braver Thing is all about groups of humans: how we rely on each other, and how we organize ourselves. What starts off as a seemingly rigorous fool-proof plan turns out to be nothing short of a disaster. In fact, the latter sections are named after different types of governance: Artistocracy, Timocracy, Democracy, and Oligarchy. Each style pushes for its dominance, but it becomes clear to the reader that none will really succeed, especially when each successive captain struggles with his own internal demons.
I believe this book will have a larger male audience for two reasons. First, it’s quite violent, and features very few female characters. Only one or two women utter a sentence throughout the 400 pages, and they are being raped, more often than not. Secondly, I liken the story to a fictional adaptation of a modern-day business book about leadership, which tends to appeal to a male audience. Each style of governance wreaks a different sort of havoc on the ship, suspicion being the only consistent response as the teams evolve. It’s hard to pinpoint any sort of winner in this situation, but what this book does leave us with is a blueprint of what NOT to do, and multiple examples of actions to avoid when faced with a similar challenge. Other than some clunky sentences and dialogue, I really did enjoy this book, despite the fact that I’m probably not the intended audience. Taking a trip on a pirate ship is never comfortable, but you’re certain to learn a lot.
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This pirate ship is setting sail for one purpose, and one purpose only; to steal loot. Kavanagh is your typical pirate, complete with one glass eye, but he’s also an adept businessman, gathering investors and fellow pirates to sail “the Taoiseach”, which he is captain of. Fully stocked with both men and supplies, the Taoiseach launches in 1721 from the Bahamas, headed to ports known for their riches. Before they leave, the men all sign a copy of “The Articles” which is essentially a long list of rules they agree to abide by. From the outset, it appears as though the rules are meant to ensure they maintain a democracy on board, but as circumstances change, leadership is called into question and what seemed so simple at the beginning quickly turns sour. Every time a change in rules is requested or a major event is about to take place, the pirates all gather for a meeting, sometimes more than once per day. We lament the amount of meetings that are foisted upon us in 2020, but turns out, meetings have always been a problem, even a few centuries ago. I’m grateful for technology like Zoom, but gathering on the deck of a ship sounds way better than starting at my laptop…
My Thoughts
As I mentioned above, the premise of this book alone intrigued me, simply because we don’t seem to get many pirate tales these days. The fact that the pirates in this novel were exactly as I pictured them also helped me orient myself to the promised adventure. I knew going in (based on stereotypes alone) that these characters would be nasty in both dress and attitude, and my expectations were exceeded. Their despicable behavior was truly horrible, but because I was prepared to have this reaction, it did not shock me. What I found truly appalling was the treatment of black people. We all know it happened, yet every time I’m faced with the brutality, it’s a cruel reminder what kind of past these people rose from. There is one scene in particular that still haunts me. The pirates loot a castle on the coast that holds slaves before shipping them west, but before the pirates begin collecting their treasure, they free all the slaves that were being held. Realizing the futility of their escape as they were surrounded by colonies who would re-capture them, most of the slaves simply walked into the surf, drowning themselves rather than face the potential of another capture. Even the pirates were moved by this heartbreaking display, and out of all the violence that occurs in this story, this scene remains the hardest to read.
There are well over 30 characters, and even though there’s a list explaining who is who at the beginning of the book, I still found it difficult to keep track. However, the specifics of each person and their temperament aren’t the key to this plot, instead, The Braver Thing is all about groups of humans: how we rely on each other, and how we organize ourselves. What starts off as a seemingly rigorous fool-proof plan turns out to be nothing short of a disaster. In fact, the latter sections are named after different types of governance: Artistocracy, Timocracy, Democracy, and Oligarchy. Each style pushes for its dominance, but it becomes clear to the reader that none will really succeed, especially when each successive captain struggles with his own internal demons.
I believe this book will have a larger male audience for two reasons. First, it’s quite violent, and features very few female characters. Only one or two women utter a sentence throughout the 400 pages, and they are being raped, more often than not. Secondly, I liken the story to a fictional adaptation of a modern-day business book about leadership, which tends to appeal to a male audience. Each style of governance wreaks a different sort of havoc on the ship, suspicion being the only consistent response as the teams evolve. It’s hard to pinpoint any sort of winner in this situation, but what this book does leave us with is a blueprint of what NOT to do, and multiple examples of actions to avoid when faced with a similar challenge. Other than some clunky sentences and dialogue, I really did enjoy this book, despite the fact that I’m probably not the intended audience. Taking a trip on a pirate ship is never comfortable, but you’re certain to learn a lot.
To read the rest of my reviews, please visit my blog:
https://ivereadthis.com/
Sign up for my newsletter here: https://ivereadthis.com/subscribe/
Or follow me on social media!
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March 22, 2021
Obed Coffin arrives in New Providence in the Bahamas on 21 April 1721. Although a Quaker with a wife and child, he has nowhere else to go. He is a seaman, carpenter, and helmsman, but only one ship seeks enlistments – a vessel of pirates, or so rumors go. The perfect place for the damned. But how can the crew trust a sober man?
He once sailed with Blackbeard, but took the king’s pardon. Now, James Kavanagh (also known as the Taoisach) has purchased the governor’s ship and is fitting it out for a long voyage. The destination is secret, but the scurvy men who vie for a place among the crew have a past that suggests this voyage will not be conducting normal trade.
Among those lucky, or perhaps unlucky, enough to gain a berth are an uneasy mix. Tom Apollo serves as first mate, but his constant companion, a thin rattan, garners few friends. He uses it not only on himself, but those not quick enough to heed his commands. Bradford Scudder once sailed with Sam Bellamy. He’s a friend of everyone, but the only true friend that Billy Quantrill has. John O’Brien and Robert Dickens both sailed with Charles Vane, so neither is pleased to find the pirate-turned-pirate hunter Benjamin Hornigold aboard, the man they hold responsible for Vane’s hanging. Then there’s Israel Hands, who also sailed with Blackbeard and now serves as Kavanagh’s enforcer.
From the Caribbean to Africa to Madagascar and the Indian Ocean to the Dutch East Indies, these men embark on a two-year voyage from which not all will return. Danger and intrigue lurk within and without. They amass a great hoard of treasure, which eventually turns the hunters into the hunted.
Readers familiar with the golden age of piracy will recognize many of the names and places mentioned in this gripping maelstrom of pirate adventure. Jackman’s knowledge of the time period, the history, and the psyche of these men are so intricately intertwined that readers are transported back in time to experience firsthand just how perilous going on the account could be. Throughout this fictional journey, he keeps within the bounds of history, straying only where facts cease to exist, such as concerns Benjamin Hornigold and what became of him after he disappears from the historical record.
The Braver Thing is one of the best novels to portray pirates in recent years. But, from the reader’s perspective, which is braver: delving into the midst of men bent on a Merry Life where no one trusts anyone, or resisting the allure and never taking the dare?
He once sailed with Blackbeard, but took the king’s pardon. Now, James Kavanagh (also known as the Taoisach) has purchased the governor’s ship and is fitting it out for a long voyage. The destination is secret, but the scurvy men who vie for a place among the crew have a past that suggests this voyage will not be conducting normal trade.
Among those lucky, or perhaps unlucky, enough to gain a berth are an uneasy mix. Tom Apollo serves as first mate, but his constant companion, a thin rattan, garners few friends. He uses it not only on himself, but those not quick enough to heed his commands. Bradford Scudder once sailed with Sam Bellamy. He’s a friend of everyone, but the only true friend that Billy Quantrill has. John O’Brien and Robert Dickens both sailed with Charles Vane, so neither is pleased to find the pirate-turned-pirate hunter Benjamin Hornigold aboard, the man they hold responsible for Vane’s hanging. Then there’s Israel Hands, who also sailed with Blackbeard and now serves as Kavanagh’s enforcer.
From the Caribbean to Africa to Madagascar and the Indian Ocean to the Dutch East Indies, these men embark on a two-year voyage from which not all will return. Danger and intrigue lurk within and without. They amass a great hoard of treasure, which eventually turns the hunters into the hunted.
Readers familiar with the golden age of piracy will recognize many of the names and places mentioned in this gripping maelstrom of pirate adventure. Jackman’s knowledge of the time period, the history, and the psyche of these men are so intricately intertwined that readers are transported back in time to experience firsthand just how perilous going on the account could be. Throughout this fictional journey, he keeps within the bounds of history, straying only where facts cease to exist, such as concerns Benjamin Hornigold and what became of him after he disappears from the historical record.
The Braver Thing is one of the best novels to portray pirates in recent years. But, from the reader’s perspective, which is braver: delving into the midst of men bent on a Merry Life where no one trusts anyone, or resisting the allure and never taking the dare?
April 28, 2024
The Braver Thing is a great book in my opinion, but not perfect book. It has good characters and a good story that intertwine to create a cautionary tale on how order and control can break down over time, as well as an allegory about revolutions and governments.
The writing of the book is probably its biggest weakness. The author is not necessarily a bad author, but if a better writer had written this story it may have been one of the best. Clifford Jackman is just not a talented enough writer to fully capitalize on the great plot he created, as he lacks emotion and depth of character in the writing.
The characters are still great though, with many of them growing throughout the story and changing based on the events that transpire. Jimmy Kavanagh is a great character, and I feel he was underutilized in the story. Apollo and Scudder both had interesting traits, but O’Brien and Quantrill were very one dimensional. There are plenty of good supporting characters as well.
The setting of the book covers all aspects of the pirates of the time, from the Caribbean to the coast of Africa to Madagascar, and then into the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. There are not many towns visited in the story, as the vast majority takes place inside the ship. The setting is well written, and the author makes use of historical figures from the time, including Benjamin Hornigold who in real history had died years previously to when the story takes place. Including Hornigold was a strange choice, as it makes it seem like the story is in an alternate universe.
The main theme of the story is how democracy can wilt and crumble into tyranny and anarchy. The author executes this theme well, making an interesting cautionary tale to how direct democracy can be highjacked into an authoritarian regime.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in pirates, or just people looking for a good story.
The writing of the book is probably its biggest weakness. The author is not necessarily a bad author, but if a better writer had written this story it may have been one of the best. Clifford Jackman is just not a talented enough writer to fully capitalize on the great plot he created, as he lacks emotion and depth of character in the writing.
The characters are still great though, with many of them growing throughout the story and changing based on the events that transpire. Jimmy Kavanagh is a great character, and I feel he was underutilized in the story. Apollo and Scudder both had interesting traits, but O’Brien and Quantrill were very one dimensional. There are plenty of good supporting characters as well.
The setting of the book covers all aspects of the pirates of the time, from the Caribbean to the coast of Africa to Madagascar, and then into the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia. There are not many towns visited in the story, as the vast majority takes place inside the ship. The setting is well written, and the author makes use of historical figures from the time, including Benjamin Hornigold who in real history had died years previously to when the story takes place. Including Hornigold was a strange choice, as it makes it seem like the story is in an alternate universe.
The main theme of the story is how democracy can wilt and crumble into tyranny and anarchy. The author executes this theme well, making an interesting cautionary tale to how direct democracy can be highjacked into an authoritarian regime.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in pirates, or just people looking for a good story.
May 25, 2021
I did not know I needed gritty, gross pirate story in my life until I read The Braver Thing. I went into this novel with most (ok fine, all) of my knowledge of pirates coming from my Johnny Depp obsession at the age of 13. 🤣 I think it's safe to say these charaters were significantly darker than good ole Captian Jack.
This literary fiction set in the 1720's follows Captian Kavanagh and his newly assembled Gentleman of Fortune, who set sail for one last Adventuring Cruise that will set them up for life. As the pillaged gold adds up and Captian Kavanagh falls ill, a series of power struggles begin to rip through the Company.
Reminiscent of "Lord of the Flies" we watch as the men dissolve into chaos as they try to reestablish the chain of command over and over again.
With tons of immersive nautical battles and gripping politics, there was never a slow point. There was never an end of a chapter where I said "well, im satisfied stopping there for the night." 😂 But with that said, it didn't feel rushed. I felt the author took plenty of time to help me understand how the heck pirate ships work without bogging me down with information. The Braver Thing is beautifully written and the characters were all well fleshed out.
Word of warning though - pirates are GROSS. This book was gross. I'm not going to type out all of the content warnings here, but really - all of them lol. Tons of torture, self harm, death, etc. The morality system of pirates is... very interesting!
For anyone who likes sea tales and politics, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. 🙂
This literary fiction set in the 1720's follows Captian Kavanagh and his newly assembled Gentleman of Fortune, who set sail for one last Adventuring Cruise that will set them up for life. As the pillaged gold adds up and Captian Kavanagh falls ill, a series of power struggles begin to rip through the Company.
Reminiscent of "Lord of the Flies" we watch as the men dissolve into chaos as they try to reestablish the chain of command over and over again.
With tons of immersive nautical battles and gripping politics, there was never a slow point. There was never an end of a chapter where I said "well, im satisfied stopping there for the night." 😂 But with that said, it didn't feel rushed. I felt the author took plenty of time to help me understand how the heck pirate ships work without bogging me down with information. The Braver Thing is beautifully written and the characters were all well fleshed out.
Word of warning though - pirates are GROSS. This book was gross. I'm not going to type out all of the content warnings here, but really - all of them lol. Tons of torture, self harm, death, etc. The morality system of pirates is... very interesting!
For anyone who likes sea tales and politics, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest opinion. 🙂
May 18, 2020
The Braver Thing tells the adventures of the crew of a pirate ship from April 1721 to December 1722, a time when the age of the pirates are in decline. It was difficult to rate this novel, as there are different expectations from the readers.
The readers who are expecting adventures on the high seas, with storms, pirate raids, mutinies, betrayals, confrontations with other pirate ships, will not be disappointed. All this is provided along with detailed information about the sailing of the ship.
The readers who also enjoy a little cerebral stimulation in their reading material will also be satisfied. A pirate ship is a closed environment of many men with different skills and expectations put together for long periods of time, under the leadership of the captain and subject to the commands of the officers. The actions and environment created by the captain can lead to different results. In this book we see how crew responded to different forms of control; aristocracy, timocracy, democracy, oligarchy and tyranny.
The readers who like to feel a bond with the characters they read about may be a little disappointed. While glimpses of some of the characters' emotions and background are provided, they are far and few, to the point where the reader is emotionally disconnected with what might happen to particular individuals.
The readers who are expecting adventures on the high seas, with storms, pirate raids, mutinies, betrayals, confrontations with other pirate ships, will not be disappointed. All this is provided along with detailed information about the sailing of the ship.
The readers who also enjoy a little cerebral stimulation in their reading material will also be satisfied. A pirate ship is a closed environment of many men with different skills and expectations put together for long periods of time, under the leadership of the captain and subject to the commands of the officers. The actions and environment created by the captain can lead to different results. In this book we see how crew responded to different forms of control; aristocracy, timocracy, democracy, oligarchy and tyranny.
The readers who like to feel a bond with the characters they read about may be a little disappointed. While glimpses of some of the characters' emotions and background are provided, they are far and few, to the point where the reader is emotionally disconnected with what might happen to particular individuals.
June 18, 2021
We follow a "Company of Gentleman of Fortune" which goes on their adventurous cruise under captain Jimmy Kavanagh, who sailed with Blackbeard. At the beginning everything goes well, till unexpected events happend and the pirates descend into mutiny, show trials, assassination and tyranny.
I was so excited to read the book about pirates, but... I did mot enjoy this as I would like to.
It is not that much about pirates as about the forms of the ruling over the ship, which was interesting, but it did not deliver what I have expected.
The writing style was great, just after some time I could predict, ehat happens next and who will be the new captain, except last one.
Overall I enjoyed the book, but I was a little bored by it. Solid 3 stars :)
Thank you Netgalley for the copy of this book in exchange for honest review.
#netgalley #pirates #TheBraverThing
March 25, 2021
Political allegory wrapped in the trappings of the golden age of piracy. This book was fun, and far more informative than I imagined it would be. Not only does Jackman take you through numerous political systems, from oligarchy to democracy to tyranny, but he shows the pros and cons of each. What start outs as a great plan to manage the brave Saoirse soon falls apart, and for the most human of reasons. This book serves as a reminder that every polical system has short comings; none is above human greed or folly. But through it all, there is hope. Hope that men can work together. That a common goal can drive people together. And that even those known for pillaging and plundering are, at their core, human.
June 16, 2021
When people think of pirates they think of either Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean or Men with Parrots on their shoulders, wooden legs, a bottle of rum and a yo-ho-ho.
With 'The Braver Thing' those stereotypical ideas are dead and buried. This is exactly what I want from a historical novel based around the age of piracy. A gritty, brutal, hard hitting weave of lies, deceit, twists and turns bringing with it some powerful descriptions which capture the imagination that get those pages turning as quick as a spark in a flintlock. All around a great read and one not to pass on. Also, the new cover is amazing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy!
With 'The Braver Thing' those stereotypical ideas are dead and buried. This is exactly what I want from a historical novel based around the age of piracy. A gritty, brutal, hard hitting weave of lies, deceit, twists and turns bringing with it some powerful descriptions which capture the imagination that get those pages turning as quick as a spark in a flintlock. All around a great read and one not to pass on. Also, the new cover is amazing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy!
July 7, 2021
The story and premise about pirates was intriguing and the story had plenty of action that kept me engaged. However the story read like a pirate movie you have seen before. The first half of the story was good then weirdly halfway through it suddenly changed with new characters after you've already invested in the old ones. I got the vibe of George R R Martin where he kills off people you care about except in this case you haven't invested two or three books of story to make it actually mean something.
I just reviewed The Braver thing by Clifford Jackman. #TheBraverthing #NetGalley
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I just reviewed The Braver thing by Clifford Jackman. #TheBraverthing #NetGalley
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March 12, 2021
I won this book in a giveaway.
The writing is good, but I wasn't able to truly get absorbed in the book.
It's interesting to separate the book by political regime.
In my opinion there is to many characters (with no main character) to truly learn to know them and to get attached to them.
The journal of the ship would have gained interest if it was written by one of the crew and his perception of the situation.
The writing is good, but I wasn't able to truly get absorbed in the book.
It's interesting to separate the book by political regime.
In my opinion there is to many characters (with no main character) to truly learn to know them and to get attached to them.
The journal of the ship would have gained interest if it was written by one of the crew and his perception of the situation.
May 17, 2021
I love historical fiction, and I love pirates, so I should have loved this one. But there were so many characters it was hard to keep track of them all. There's a section in the beginning that breaks it all down, and I found myself having to reference it every handful of chapters, which was annoying and gave me a disjointed reading experience.
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review
Special thanks to NetGalley for providing a digital copy in exchange for an honest review
July 28, 2021
This is one of those few books that I wished that the author had strung into a series. It is written so well and with such a pithy narrative that I wanted it to last so much longer. Jackman is brilliant at giving us a window into the sailing life in the 1700s that I wanted more of what it was like to trod on unmapped territories from the mind of sailor of the day. There is nothing to fault the author on this novel. Fast paced, engaging, informative, thoughtful, well constructed. Top marks.
November 25, 2022
Quite the tale of adventure and ruin on the high seas!!! This book is well researched and moves along at a good pace with many likeable and despicable characters. This novel worked for me as a study in how order and civility, even among pirates, can break down when things get desperate. A five star book but I'm giving it four as I was hoping the end game would have played out a bit more completely, but you can decide for yourself. An excellent novel
August 1, 2020
I received a ARC. This was an interesting mix of fiction and real historical figures and I learned things about pirates and life aboard a ship. The characters were not generally likable or relatable and so in that sense the book did not truly engage me. But if you are fan of everything pirates, then this book is for you!
December 15, 2020
Clever and mostly interesting look at a pirate’s life in 1700’s, but the book is really about ruling and forms of rule that eventually all fall apart, no matter the democratic principles. Captains are marvellous and subject to human frailties, as are the crews. I thought the book was going to be swash-buckling and at times it was, but the bigger picture is what stuck with me.
May 14, 2021
An interesting twist on the pirate novels. The author weaves an intelligent story using the tricks and scheming that can go on in a group of people. The plots and sub-plots really grab your attention and makes this book hard to put down. Overall, a very enjoyable read.
Than( you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Than( you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 21, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was instantly transported to the Saoirse every time I picked it up, and continued to think about it long after putting it down. Easily the most original, interesting, and thought provoking novel that I’ve read in a long time.
December 28, 2021
This was a great story! Tons of action that made reading the book more like watching a movie, entertaining characters, each one with traits that resonate and in a way it reminds me of Lord of the Flies and Animal Farm, lots of allegory. I love it when a book makes you think and feel.
July 22, 2020
A fabulous pirate tale set in 1721. Not my typical read but well written and a great read.
December 31, 2020
A well told story of a pirate journey around the world, I ripped through it quickly as it grabbed me right away.
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July 25, 2025Did not finish. I just couldn’t get into it.
October 11, 2022
3 Stars. An entertaining read, but didn't quite live up to my excitement for this book (After I fell in love with 'The Winter Family').
Seemed a bit too long & drawn out.
Though the last part of this book, Obed Coffin's portion, was magnificent with some beautiful writing.
I'd be curious to know if that portion was actually written first.
Seemed a bit too long & drawn out.
Though the last part of this book, Obed Coffin's portion, was magnificent with some beautiful writing.
I'd be curious to know if that portion was actually written first.
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