The Only Life That Mattered: The Short and Merry Lives of Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Calico Jack

by James L. Nelson, Elizabeth Garrett (pseudonym/formerly published as)

Fed up with an outlaw existence, Calico Jack Rackam swears off the pirate life, until he meets Anne Bonny, a woman who would as soon stab a man as give him a good tumble—that is, unless he's a pirate. Soon Jack finds himself out on the high seas, with Anne by his side and his men spoiling for action.

Genres: Pirates, Historical Fiction, Fiction, 18th Century, Adventure, Historical, Nautical

414 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

James L. Nelson (1962-) is an American historical nautical novelist. He was born in Lewiston, Maine. In 1980, Nelson graduated from Lewiston High School. Nelson attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst for two years, and then transferred to UCLA, with the ambition of becoming a film director. Nelson, his wife, Lisa, and their daughter Betsy lived for two years in Steubenville, Ohio, while Lisa attended Franciscan University. They also have two boys, Nate and Jack. They now live in Harpswell, Maine, where Nelson continues to write full time.

Reviews

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although Grace O'Malley has always been my favourite female pirate, Iv'e also wanted to know more about the other two famous "lady pirates" in the trade, Anne Bonny and Mary Read.
Normally I would brush up on the "historical facts" first before I take on a biography of such historical figures than compare it to what the author has written and how she/he has perceived it, but I decided to forgo that first and just plunge in.

ANNE BONNY:
A pampered southern belle longs for a life more exciting and dangerous than the dreary life she has now.
To escape from her father and his plans for her she elopes with a "nobody" sailor to escape and alters the course of her life forever.

MARY READ: A sensible English woman who has been living as a man (due to events of her childhood) and earning her living as a merchant sailor also has her life changed when her ship is attacked and taken over by Calico Jack.

CALICO JACK: a devious pirate with hopes of accepting the governors pardon and leaving the "Sweet Trade" has his plans and course of life forever changed when he lays his eyes on Anne Bonny.
When these three join forces, they form a union that will carry them to the ends of the earth, births deaths, untold passions, battles more exciting and dangerous than any of them would have dreamed of.

We also see the very human side of each character, their hopes, dreams, regrets, and fears while keeping up their "image."
What a great non-stop read!
A very impressive insight into the conflicts and passions of the early eighteenth century.
Of two seafaring women that breathe life, warmth, passion, veracity, into this story and who have risked their lives by choosing to live the life as men, rather than accept the strict rules forced on women of their times.
And one man... Calico Jack who under the fearsome pirate facade who plunders the high sea's and puts fear into man and woman alike, is a man with his own dreams, hopes, and most of all fears. So..did I look up "historical facts" after reading this?
No I have not..I loved this account of these three amazing figures I'm afraid to spoil this authors version of what she thought it was like for them.
I also have another "Anne Bonny" book I want to read then I think I will do comparison.
But if you wish to learn more of these characters I would start with this book first as it has it all! And while there is "passion" among each of them in their lives, it is NOT a "fluffy romance" that over powers the telling of this great story.
Highly recommend for pirate lovers and those who love great battle scenes that make you feel as if your on that ship with them feeling all of their emotions.

[Nicky Kyle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's not terrible, but it's not all that great either. Also contained more casual chauvinism than I expected in a novel about Bonny and Read (from the narration I mean, not the characters -- in fact, most of the characters seemed to roll with Anne and Mary's prowess and life choices more readily than the author!). Nothing too horrifically sexist, but periodic mentions of "feminine nature" and things like that which just seemed "off" to me. Perhaps that's my modern sensibilities coming through, but given that these were women who turned their back on a society that said their "feminine nature" meant they should stay meekly at home and chose to go pirating for their living...well, it just didn't sit well with me, regardless.

There were also some weird...I'm not sure how to describe it. There were moments that felt like out-of-place, Mary Sue-ish elements perhaps of over-compensation for the aforementioned periodic sexism? Things like, "even though Anne had only been a sailor for like ten minutes, don't worry, she's already every bit as great at everything about sailing as the rest of the crew!" It didn't happen as much with Mary, who just came off as a generally-competent, self-assured badass; maybe because Anne was basically a kid, while Mary had had a career as a soldier before, the author felt the need to point-out how incredibly competent she was sometimes? Too bad it mostly backfired, and just made her skills -- which had been legitimately acquired in previous narrative passages -- seem like "magical YA heroine powers" instead. Sometimes trying too hard can be as bad as not trying at all, and I get tired of authors treating female characters as some sort of ~mythical other~ instead of just getting on with things and writing them like people. Again, don't get me wrong this book didn't do a lot of that -- but it did enough.

The romances felt weird too. While I really enjoyed how Anne was initially presented as taking advantage of Bonny's wish to "take advantage" of her to get out and enjoy a more exciting life, and how she feel for Rackam's flair and persona, after that it just felt...weak. The only relationship that seemed to offer any genuine emotional connection was Anne and Mary's, and at times it seemed like the author was intending to tease a romantic or sexual attraction between the two but always shied-away from doing more than teasing...not to the level of being actual queer-baiting, but just enough to inspire the occasional awkward frown over the occasional seemingly out-of-place sentence or two. (Admittedly, something about the book's trade dress had led me to expect some kind of polyamorous threesome, so maybe I was just hoping for a more interesting romantic scenario than what I got and grasping at straws that I hoped hinted that we were finally moving in that direction!) The relationship between Anne and Jack ran out of steam quickly, which seemed to be intentional -- but then the author didn't know what to do with it, and so just left it to flounder in a tedious limbo that was poorly concealed by throwing scene changes and plot events out as a sort of narrative chaff. And as for Mary and Jacob -- well! Have you ever read fanfiction written by kids just learning how to write? It read pretty much like that: "Mary looked at him and fell in love. They talked sometimes and he started to like her back." I mean I'm not actually quoting, but that's basically how it read. I'm not sure if that's because this was toward the end of the book and the author didn't want to waste the word count or what, but to me it just read as, "artificially-inserted romantic relationship with a man because that's what defines women's live, so now I can tease the readers with the promise of a happily-ever-after!" There was no development at all -- which admittedly isn't saying much because despite a fair amount of introspection, we don't actually get very much nuanced development from any of the characters, sadly.

I get that the author was interested in writing a historical novel, more focused on "filling in the gaps" between known events than in inventing a fictional narrative from whole cloth -- but given the lack of details we have about the lives of these three people and their crewmates, I feel like a little more depth and creativity could have been achieved without sacrificing factual accuracy. Nelson was more than happy to invent a completely fictitious attempted-rape scenario where some soldiers found Mary and Anne while they were hiding-out with friends of Rackam while Anne was pregnant, after all; why was this the only major event that he felt comfortable constructing to add drama and excitement to the lives of people who, frankly, probably had some very exciting and dramatic lives? Again, it's not anything horrible -- Mary dispatches the soldiers quite readily and there's no lascivious dwelling on the prospect of the rapes -- but it just doesn't sit right, especially because the author took care to point out in the afterward that it was the only "major event" that he completely fabricated. Why is it that he felt compelled to add an attempted rape, of all the things he could have added, and nothing else of import? It just leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

If not for my childhood love of Anne Bonny and Mary Read (honestly, I can't even tell you how many times I must have re-read The Ballad of the Pirate Queens when I was little! I still find the phrase "and silver the coins and silver the moon, and silver the waves on the top of the sea" flowing through the back of my mind at odd moments!) I probably wouldn't have bothered to finish the book. Unfortunately, what should have been an enthralling story about two of the most captivating figures of piratical history (and Calico Jack too) instead ended up a lackluster collection of wasted potential. On the upside, now I feel like reading some great Lady Pirate stories! Anyone know of any other, better novels about these two buccaneer bffs -- or any other female pirates, real or legendary or fictional?

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somehow, I've recently managed to acquire various books about pirates, and this is the second one I've read in the last few months. This particular one is a historical novel rather than a straight history (like the last one I'd read), and it is quite entertaining. Although fiction, the story is based on the factual accounts of 3 people, 2 of whom are women, who become pirates in the early part of the 18th century. Reasonably well-executed, plot-driven story, with many interesting details about the times in general and pirate lives in particular. I could have used a bit less of the bodice-ripping style of intrigue and sexual escapades, but all-in-all, a good read and fast-paced novel, especially during a vacation while sitting in the Florida Keys sunshine (as I am today). Better than many "beach reads," but I'd certainly recommend it as one.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

In case you're wondering: Why yes, of course the reason I'm mainlining books about pirates is absolutely related to my obsession with a certain HBO show I've been watching on repeat for the past month or so... Though this historical novel about the lives of Anne Bonny, Mary Read, and Jack Rackam had been sitting on my TBR for years, so it was high time to get around to it in any case. There really isn't all that much solid information to be had about these three fascinating figures aside from trial records and the not always reliable A General History of the Pirates, but Nelson sticks closely to what those two sources have to offer. Unfortunately, he's just not all that good that writing lifelike, relatable female characters... and it's all a mite heteronormative for my liking, too.

[Claire]

I know how Mary Reade and Anne Bonney’s story ended historically but I wondered if they’d do a revisionist thing and no it’s just sad! So never mind

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Never did get all the way through it.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of James L. Nelson’s nautical fiction I had high expectations for this stand-alone historical novel and I was well-rewarded for my time. Most of what I’ve read of Nelson’s work tends toward fictional stories with historical figures interspersed here and there to lend an air of authenticity. But this time out, he goes full-on historian, piecing together the actual stories of some of history’s most notorious pirates and telling their stories.

The stars of this novel are the two female pirates, Anne Bonny and Mary Reed. As females in such a brutal, male-dominated “profession” their stories can’t help but be interesting and the fact that they both ended up together serving under Captain “Calico” Jack Ratham is just one of those historical happenstances that is just too unlikely to be anything other than actual historical fact.

I purposefully chose to read the book before doing any of my own arm-chair research on these historical figures because I wanted to experience the uncertainty of what the outcome would be. It seemed likely that their end would be the same end as most pirates achieved in the early 18th century but that uncertainty made the whole read exciting. It’s a book full of adventure, as expected, but also some surprisingly well-developed characters, not only in the big three but also in a number of side characters along the way. The pacing was nicely done, not over-indulging in any aspect of the tale. Those that have ever watched the TV series, “Black Sails” will recognize many of the characters that populate this book, including Captain Charles Vane, Captain Benjamin Hornigold, and assorted lesser pirates in Nassau.

An excellent novel by the continuously under-appreciated James L. Nelson.

[Rima Jean · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Nelson's Pirate Round books, but this one was a disappointment. While Nelson is a pro at writing maritime fiction, he struggles to develop his characters enough for one to feel close to them. While this is fine for a book that is action-based, it's not ok for a book that depends on its characters to carry it. Nelson doesn't write women well at all -- Anne Bonny and Mary Read are not likeable, and it is difficult to feel anything for them and their experiences. Anne Bonny is an insatiable man-eater, and there isn't a thing real about her. A shame, considering the stories of these pirate women was fascinating.

[Zefyr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Haha...a book for if you like your historical novels as authorially interpreted as possible in order to be as bodice-rippy as possible, and think character depth is for irritating and distracting. I randomly grabbed this off the library shelf and foolishly thought that if I kept reading it might get better.

[Janke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a bit conflicted on this one. James L. Nelson does a good job of writing a novel around the bare bones of the story of these three people that we know from the most reliable sources. The few things we actually know of these pirates are so insane that they are, in themselves, almost unbelievable and seem to be taken from some outrageous novel, so writing a book based on this, that still seems somewhat believable, is worthy of some praise. It does have a bit of a beach read-feel, but there's nothing wrong with that every once in a while. Although I found Anne Bonny to be a bit of a flat character, only interested in leading an exciting life and absolutely nothing more, Mary Read and Jack Rackham were fairly well developed, interesting to read characters.

The main problem with this is the way Nelson writes the female characters and their love interests. It's a typical case for r/menwritingwomen. My interest in this book flared up after seeing Mary Read and Anne Bonny being described as 'bisexual pirate disasters' somewhere else. And honestly, if you want to get my interest for a book, that's how you should go about it. Add some fantasy and I'm sold, but there's none of that in this book (no bisexuality and no fantasy). Although Anne is interested in Mary at first, before learning that she, too, is a woman, there is absolutely no more of that afterwards. Instead, Anne is delighted by Mary being a woman 'because she could love her blood sister without the complications that arise between men and women'. The words 'blood sisters' at some point became synonymous with 'gal pals' in my head. Jack does suspect something is going on between them, and is afraid that Mary leads his dearly beloved wife to do 'unnatural things'. The heteronormativity in this book made me a bit sad. Of course, there is something to say for the fact that these were different times, but there is strong evidence that during the golden age of piracy, homosexuality was generally more accepted than in the ages afterwards, both by the pirates themselves, and the established English society.

All things considered, this was an enjoyable read, but I will have to keep looking for my book about bisexual pirate disasters.

Edit: Oh yes, I should add: a lot of incomplete sentences. Like this.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The difficult thing about this book is not any fault of the author's. He is telling a truly interesting and unique story, one that sounds like complete fiction, but it's not, at least at its core. Jack Rackam, Mary Read and Anne Bonny were all real people, and they were 18th century pirates who spent some time together on the same ship. When they were captured, Anne Bonny and Mary Read both claimed they were pregnant, and that Jack Rackam was the father. He was hanged, and the women were put in prison. Mary Read died in prison within a year, and no one knows for sure what became of Anne Bonny.

That's all anyone really knows for sure about the three of them. There are a few other details - Bonny was married when she met Rackam, things like that, but it just isn't enough to write a full, non-fiction account of their story. No one knows how they got together. Rackam had been the quartermaster on Charles Vane's pirate ship, and then led a mutiny to depose Vane. He took over the ship and at some point, the two women became crew members. It has the makings of a great story, but to tell it, you have to fill in the blanks, which is what Nelson does. And as soon as you turn it into a fiction story, it starts to sound fantastical, and a little unbelievable, like an ocean-going bodice-ripper.

The golden age of piracy has fascinated me since I was a kid, and it still does. It's too bad that the definitive book on that chapter of world history doesn't seem to have been written, and it may never be, because there just isn't enough known about people like the ones portrayed in this book.

[Steven Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Truth stranger than Fiction?

In my teens I read that while most pirates were men, a few women turned to piracy, and two examples are Anne Bonny and Mary Read. Later in life I discovered there was a French noblewoman who was somehow dispossessed of her feudal estate and led a years-long rebellion against the king, financing her activities by preying on the sea trade in the Channel, or perhaps I should say La Manche. Then there was the Chinese lady who made herself a pirate admiral and took over most of the South China Sea, defying the Imperial Navy’s best efforts to capture or kill her.
But for English speaking readers these are the two female pirates, almost as famous as Blackbeard and Kidd. In this book they take up with Calico Jack Rackam, a name that’s also familiar but less so, and it’s Mrs. Bonny who leads Calico Jack back into the sweet trade that he’s left to take advantage of an amnesty announced by the governor of Nassau, a rambling, squalid pirates’ settlement. They have a few adventures and seize a few ships, including the one Mary is sailing on as an able seaman, disguised as a man. This practice is well attested in historical records although it seems hard to conceal in the close quarters on 18th century ships. But in this period, piracy is dying out and it seems their effort is doomed. But the story has a surprise ending. It’s entertaining once you get over the first impression that the characters are all pretty trashy, but sometimes trashy gets your attention. The fact the see were all real people just adds to the appeal.

[John Popa · Rating 3 out of 5]

James L. Nelson writes nautical and pirate fiction as well as anyone, better than most, really. And yet not even he can get much juice out of the fairly uninteresting real lives of Mary Read, Anne Bonny and Jack Rackham. Sure, he could have abandoned reality and created a swashbuckling adventure for them, or he could have even succumbed to the (mostly unproven) scandalous sexuality of the perceived characters, but by sticking as much to documented reality as possible, well, there's not much story to tell after all.

We're left with a fine enough work, it starts stronger but lags as it goes, again, because there really isn't much of interest to this story. Jack Rackham isn't as compelling a pirate as Blackbeard, by any stretch, and the novelty of Read and Bonny being female pirates fades quickly, especially since no one in the story seems to care. The nature of this story also doesn't leave as much room for Nelson's usual flair for nautical details and prose. It's there but it takes a back seat to the protagonists, but Nelson often succeeds by using his vast knowledge to create characters and scenarios that feed into the characters and bring them more to life.

Pirates are a lot of things to a lot of people but, in this case, they come off as the one thing they never should ... a little boring.

[Amanda Steben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I initially found this book in the gift shop of a pirate-themed mini golf course, and thought that seemed like a pretty silly place to buy a book. It really piqued my interest though, so eventually I caved and got it. To be honest, I expected it to be a somewhat poorly written novel about an interesting subject, but I'm happy to report that it completely exceeded my expectations. I was absolutely transported by this book and was sad when it was over! I wish it were more well known, because I thought it was really excellent. I love that the author managed to simultaneously make it (mostly) historically accurate, based on the records that exist, while also making the characters and their interactions realistic and well-developed. I don't mean to offend anyone by saying this, but I was also delighted with how well this male author managed to portray the female characters. It would have been so easy to fall into making these already larger-than-life people one-dimensional in a novel, but I found all of them to be believable and well-grounded. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Story was written about the actual pirates of Anne Bonny, Mary Read and Captain Calico Jack. Now even though these were real people, I doubt the graphic sexual details were included in any letters they may have written in historical logs. So that leads me to believe that much of the details in this story is fiction.
The one thing I didn’t like about the book was how some chapters jump around in time, and we are not given any indication of years or places represented. I found this very frustrating.
The swashbuckling scenes are gripping and intense. But there are also periods of boredom when we’re waiting for the other shoe to drop.

[Kieralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago in high school and absolutely loved it. It was a favorite of mine. Upon rereading this, I still like it. I enjoy the perspective shifts, and the way each of them handles situations. I relate to Jack's anxiety, and love the fox metaphor for something gnawing at your stomach. It handles the decline of piracy in such a bitter, intimate way by following these three characters.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like stories like this, author uses true stories/real events to base his story off of. Reading a book that only speaks truth & fact can be very dry & hard to finish.
It's hard to know what truly happened to these rogues that sailed under the black flag. This book is a fun way to find out. And it's not all carefree like so many may think.

[Izzy Landry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent read, if you don't know much about boats/ships some of the descriptive parts can be pretty dull. But it was interesting to see how the author uses fiction to fill in gaps of what could have happened and how each person was thinking.

[Lindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to quit in the middle. Just not up to par with Nelson's other series...which is a shame because I love Ann Bonny.

[Becca C · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so surprised by this book. I struggle with historical novels, so when I find one I can enjoy I fly through it. This book was no exception. I wish I could forget it and reread it again.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid historical fiction based on the true story of Calico Jack and the 2 women who were on his pirate ship.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been on a bender of novels relating to Anne, Mary, and Jack. This has been my favorite so far.

[Kristi Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kept me interested. Loved all the characters and the depths it went with them. Enjoyed how it told their stories up until they met each other. Good read.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable swashbuckling tale.

[Stuart]

Amazing that this is based on the actual exploits of these three individuals. He certainly can create an engaging and well crafted story, especially considering that he hewed to historical accuracy.

[Autumn Crisovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly this was on me because I wanted it to be a telenovela but it’s a legit history.

[The Sapphic Nerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lesson about not judging a book by its cover. It doesn't look like much but if you pass up on this, you'll be missing out on a fantastic story with memorable characters you'll fall in love with (and we know I have a weakness for good characters). Anne and Mary should be on the cover because they're the ones who carry the book - the way they interact with each other is delightful and so pure and beautiful... Historically accurate (as much as possible) with exceptional characterization and interactions. It's masterfully written. I love the way Nelson's writing flows, his descriptions are detailed but don't overdo it. I may have teared up at the end. The best pirate book I've ever read... I need someone to write fanfiction for it.

[Danny Deshong · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like reading about pirates this book may be for you. The lives of Jack Rackham, Mary Read, and Anne Bonny are explored within. This book helps to fill in the blanks of what may have happened on a day to day basis with theses pirates. Some facts are true allot are fantasy written to help provide a possible backstory but it draws you in and allows the imagination to flourish. I became interested in the pirate genre from playing Assassin's Creed Black Flag and watching Black Sails. I do know that the idea of being a pirate can be romanticized too much. The truth is that the life was dangerous from being hanged, to being murdered, to disease etc... However reading about these brave people proves interesting none the less. Enjoy!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books i've read in a while. When i found this book on the library shelf, i couldn't wait to start it, and it lived up to all my expectations. The book was based on the lives of the pirate Captain Calico Jack Rackham, and Anne Bonny and Mary Read (the two female pirates on his ship). Based on what i already knew about the lives these three people (and then after reading the historical notes in the back of the book) the story seems very historically accurate. The author did an excellent job of making the reader really feel the sense of place and time throughout the book, and feel emotions and ethics of each of the characters. The descriptions of life at sea were amazing and very detailed. And the only improbability i noted in the book included a problem of bullet trajectory after the lowering of a gun (apparently this particular bullet did not obey the laws of phyisics). Overall this was an amazing book, despite some of the parts being rather risque, but i guess since it is a book about the life of pirates, some things of scandalous nature are bound to occur.

[Chelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because of the long standing rumor that Anne Bonny buried treasure on an island in Casco Bay (Maine). It's a story I've related (as legend) so I figured a read about her would give that legend better context. Well nothing was mentioned about the trip North so I guess I'll have to do more research.

This was a very interesting and engaging read. The story of the two most famous female pirates and their VERY different journeys of how they ended up outlaws was very engaging. It's not your typical swashbuckling romanticizing of pirates but rather their story as whole people and what motivated them. It was engaging and well researched. Each character clearly had their own voice which was essential as the tale was told from their various points of view. It's a great snapshot of the decline of the great days of privateers and pirates.

Mary Read and Anne Bonny lived lives well outside the norm for women of their time. They embraced adventure at every turn and as such led "short and merry" lives.