Slipping the Noose

This rollicking historical novel from Australian writer Meg Caddy takes us into the world of real-life pirate Anne Bonny, picking up her story where history left off.The way out is through.Anne Bonny is chained up in the hold of a prison ship, nursing nine-month-old Molly. The baby is all she has left of Calico Jack, the swaggering pirate captain who loved her and stole her away to sea-and who now hangs from a gibbet. When armed men rip the child from her grasp, Bonny can do nothing and Molly seems lost. But Anne Bonny was not cut out for despair. She will plan for escape and rescue, and the plan will become action. And the streets of London will belong to her and her daughter-and the ragtag remnants of Calico Jack's crew.Anne Bonny looms large in the history of piracy on the high seas. But history, having left the notorious female buccaneer languishing in a Jamaican jail, then carelessly mislaid her. Fortunately we have Meg Caddy to imagine her subsequent exploits and whereabouts, and to bring them so vividly and rakishly to life.

“'You spend most of the book cheering them on, furiously turning the pages...great for readers of action-filled historical fiction.'”

‘You spend most of the book cheering them on, furiously turning the pages…great for readers of action-filled historical fiction.‘ Books + Publishing on Devil's Ballast
‘[A] strong, brine-soaked adventure.’ Wall Street Journal on Devil's Ballast
‘Caddy maintains historical authenticity throughout, neither dampening the violence of the setting nor the dangers of having a marginalized body…A satisfying seafaring adventure.’ Kirkus on Devil's Ballast
‘A fascinating read…will enthral lovers of historical fiction…The narrative is written in the voices of Bonny and Read, and both come alive for the reader.’ ReadPlus
‘Caddy is unsparing in her description of the seamier side of London life. She includes contemporary issues—Jacobitism, feminism, gender identity and homosexuality—to provide a lively and authentic background to the story.’ Magpies
‘A rollicking piece of feminist historical fiction…Engaging and entertaining…Excellent for YA readers seeking cultural representation and LGBTQI+ inclusivity.’ SAETA

Meg Caddy is a part-time bookseller and a full-time nerd. Their fantasy novel Waer was shortlisted for the 2013 Text Prize and the 2017 CBCA Book of the Year Award, and their historical fiction Devil's Ballast was shortlisted for the 2020 Readings YA Book Prize. They are currently undertaking a PhD in queer fiction.

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