SEA STAR

by Pamela Jekel ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 1, 1983

Based (lightly, one would suspect) on the ""true-life exploits"" of 18th-century pirate Anne Bonney, this adventure tale features sloping decks, rocking mattresses, and a Wonder-Woman approach to character. How did Anne, offspring of a disinherited toff and his unwed but well-bred mistress, wind up flying the Jolly Roger? Well, at an early age Anne opts for the lusty, unbuttoned life over gentility: her first lover is the fencing master; her first kill is her mother's maid (who was about to blab of Anne's bastardy); and her real loves are a parade of pirates (called ""privateers"" when the merchants of Charles Town want to evade British tax). First there's timber-shivering passion with pirate Hornigold--but Anne will marry golden-curled James Bonney, smuggler and pimp, and go with him to New Providence, a true pirate cove with a likable crew (from the black-bearded Teach to Calico Jack, who'll eventually be Anne's long-time lover). Before departure on pirate rounds, Anne will also shack up with merchant-king Bayard (Bonney has turned out to be a rat), shoot an ear off a pirate chief, and dispatch Bayard's doxy with a sword--right through the heart. True Love will bloom with a gentleman-farmer-turned-pirate, Stede Bonnet, but he's doomed to hang because of an unwise campaign with Teach. There'll be plenty of boardings and spoils and then a period of respectability, due to a royal pardon (the British need ruthless seafarers against the Spanish). But eventually Bonney has Anne and Jack arrested for cohabiting--followed by more rescues, adventures, a meeting with sister pirate Mary. . . and on and on. Bilgewater but bouncy.

Pub Date: April 1, 1983

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harmony/Crown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1983

Categories: FICTION