Customer Reviews

Pirate Spirit: The Adventures of Anne Bonney

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pirates are more popular than ever these days, perhaps owing in part to a certain blockbuster summer film. However, most mothers of sons have known for years the male fascination with all things pirate. I've sewn at least two pirate costumes, refereed more than my fair share of sword fights and read numerous story books aloud in my best "matey" voice. So I was prepared to enjoy Pirate Spirit: The Adventures of Anne Bonney (iUniverse, July, 2007, paperback, 244 pages), the inaugural work of novelist Jeffery S. Williams.

What I wasn't expecting was to be uplifted and inspired along the way - to emerge from the literary romp with the sense that somehow, amidst the pages of the really entertaining story I'd just read, I'd walk away edified. Jeffery Williams, supported effectively by his wife Katherine Williams, gives voice so convincingly to main character Anne Bonney that you'd swear he's actually a lusty wench. When I met him in person and learned that he is in point of fact a high school English teacher, I was even more impressed by his writing prowess.

Pirate Spirit is the tale of a one young Irish woman's transition into the world of pirates during the 1700s. Inspired by historical accounts, Williams fleshes out Bonney's tale with great gusto and flair. Readers with a certain sensibility may blush at some of the book's more spicy scenes, but they seem essential to the book's characters and their circumstances. You should be forewarned that the book does contain some language, adult themes and violence which may be offensive to some readers. However, Williams does not seem to write gratuitously or for mere "shock value". I found myself falling hard for Anne Bonney and her comrades, and rooting solidly for her ultimate transformation from strong-willed girl to plundering pirate to graceful woman.

No doubt aided by his incredible font of knowledge of literature, Williams spreads layers of deeper themes and references between the fast paced pages of action and adventure.

I ended up staying up for hours to read this book when I should have been sleeping instead. I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Each chapter was filled with adventure, witty humor, love, and attempts to satisfy many insatiable hearts. As a recent graduate from college going through transition on an annual basis (so far), I can absolutely relate in terms of seeking for the kind of adventure that Anne sought to satisfy her heart. I may not be a pirate, but my desire to find that something that can help me to see more of the world, to give what I can to make this world my playground, to find that soulmate that will be my other half with dignity, strength, integrity, honor, and the desire to jump out of the bubble that so many people want to put me under as a female in a male dominant world-- I can relate. It was a page turner that made me wanna go back to reading it again. Williams did an amazing job creating many unforgettable scenes with vivid imagery and lively dialogues. It was a novel that included everything from growing pains, survival of the fittest, love, hatred, forgiveness and sacrifice-- everything a great book should have.

Jeffery Williams aptly displays his journalistic experience, as well as his years as a high school English teacher, in the fluid compositional style and tight editing of his first novel. Based on his research of the life of Anne Bonney, a legendary pirate of the Caribbean in the early 1700's, Jeffery's Pirate Spirit is an enlightening read. The story is told in the present tense from the first-person-singular viewpoint of a teenage girl. This was not an easy feat in itself, and I understand that Mr. Williams had adequate help in this regard from Mrs. Williams. My only complaint is that the author should have been a lot more diligent in his proofreading as the typo count is a bit high. This particularly disturbs me because this is the second edition of Pirate Spirit, and you would have thought most of the errors would have been cleaned up when the title was changed and a new cover designed for the 2007 edition.

The most important thing I can say here is that I still give Pirate Spirit five stars. I personally don't give a swashbuckling ship's rat about pirate books or movies, and I had never even heard of Anne Bonney prior to accepting Mr. Williams' book for review. I understand that Johnny Depp isn't hurting the sales of Pirate Spirit and Mr. Williams' student age group probably loves everything pirate oriented, but this book also stands on its own as carefully composed, entertaining literature. What else should you expect from an English teacher? I accept only a select few books for review on my website, and Pirate Spirit is clearly one of the best of those I have accepted. Jeffery Williams fully grasps the entire concept of composition. The story flows over the warm Caribbean waters from the very first page. The dialogue is articulate, yet realistic and believable. The author has shown us just enough detail to help us fall deeply into the story without being bogged down in extraneous developments. Whether or not we agree with the lifestyle choices made by Ms. Bonney, or the moral code she so adequately questioned, we as readers have been sucked into the hold of the pirate ship. We have been presented with the consequences of sailing the larcenous seas with all the maturity of a teenage girl disguised in male clothing. Jeffery Williams knows damn well how to tell a story and I hope he has a fruitful writing career ahead on the stormy seas of the publishing industry.

Jefferey S. Williams delivers the adventures of Anne Bonney marvellously. He writes with clarity, and does an amazing job with imagery and emotional expression through the eyes of the female pirate. It was a definite page turner--I wanted more and more at the end of every chapter. Williams' characters in the book were quite captivating making me want to somehow jump into the storyline to join on the adventure. Great read!

I loved how Williams wrote so well from a woman's point of view. I was so drawn into the book I read it in a couple days. I heard a movie script is in the works, and I hope that it is picked up! I look forward to more work from Williams.

What a journey to take at such a young age. I found this very interesting. This takes you on an adventure that one can only dream about. Anne's journey from childhood to adult hood and finding what she truly wanted out of life was amazing. Anne sure had more ambition and guts than most. This is one of those books you cannot put down, bad weather, and you have to stay home, this is the book to read.

Amazing story!!! I do not know if it is all true or not but if it is, the ending is a shocker. I was pleased as it is mighty hard to be surprised now days. This is about a very very fiesty girl. I do not agree with all the choices she made or some of the things her comrades did, but if you get past that, it is truly an amazing, edge of your seat story. My only complaint is that it was too short. I wanted to hear more. I sincerely hope there is a sequel to this. Also, I would like to add that the author did a terrific job writing from a female viewpoint. I am greatly impressed. Please write a sequel and tell us the rest!

I found this book to very enjoyable. Set in the first person, almost as if you're reading the diary of Anne Bonney, it really explores the reality of piracy in the early 1700's during the so-called "Golden Age of Piracy."

Anne Bonney served as a pirate with "Calico" Jack Rackham towards the end of the Golden Age, when pirates roved the seas and robbed any vessel that they wished. Unlike the earlier buccaneers or privateers who waged piracy against one nation, these pirates were nothing more than sea-robbers and life at sea with them was often short and brutal. Jack Rackham was not all that notable compared to other pirates and likely would have been forgotten to history except for the fact that he was captured with two women pirates.

This book is not just about the deeds of cutthroats and pirates as it follows the spiritual growth of Anne Bonney from her strong Irish-Catholic upbringing through her rebellious years to her years as a pirate. While some pirates may have been resigned to sell their souls, Anne is constantly trying to find a way out of the life she has entered.

This is a good book and my only complaint would be that it is too short.

This was my second read...the first was under the title "Anne Bonney...My Pirate Story". I love the new title "Pirate Spirit" and the new cover. Congrats to whoever designed both. Reading Anne Bonney's story again was just as enjoyable as the first time. This author has a real talent. I hope he writes something again very soon.

The book was absolutely great, in MY book! Once I got going in it, couldn't stop, Anne Bonney's story is a good one, even if not all of it was non-fictional. Very glad I ordered this book...pirates are fun to read, girl pirates even MORE!!!!
~linda