CHRISTOPHER HAWKINS AND HIS DARING ESCAPES

Becijos’ historical novel recounts the true story of Christopher Hawkins, a young American sailor plunged into the thick of the American Revolutionary War.

This book is based on the 19th-century memoir of the real Christopher Hawkins—the author is one of Christopher’s descendants, adding to the narrative’s authenticity and intrigue. The tale begins on May 4, 1776, in Providence, Rhode Island, where a 14-year-old Christopher is chasing his dream, embarking on his quest to become a sailor. Eventually, Christopher fulfills this dream, but the seas aren’t always calm on the open water in the middle of a war. To stay alive, Christopher uses his critical thinking and survival skills, but even the deftest sailors can find themselves stuck in knots they can’t untie. The narrative is written in first person, paying homage to the original memoir it was inspired by; this diary-like format allows readers to truly experience the story as if it were happening to them. It is evident that Becijos intently studied Christopher’s memoir and conducted her own research on the time period—the use of period-accurate language (“You’re a ninnyhammer”), combined with primary sources such as newspaper articles, song lyrics, illustrations, and meeting notes incorporated in the text makes for a captivating read. At the end of the novel, the author even includes a photograph of Christopher’s original weathered and leather-bound memoir. While readers who are unfamiliar with early American history will still be able to follow along, those with an understanding of this time period will truly appreciate the nuances of the story and have a better grasp of what Christopher is going through. The dialogue is particularly exciting—all of the interactions feel authentic, as if Becijos was actually on the ship, engaging in these conversations that she re-creates.

Fans of adventure and historical fiction will want to secure themselves a copy of this riveting tale.