Francesca De Tores’ gripping interpretation of the life of infamous pirate Mary Read, whose exploits have remained legend since her death in 1721, presents Read as a sensitive and often sympathetic character, who reels from adventure to adventure, more often than not acting as a male.
This balance between Mary Read’s biological sex and her need to adapt to a variety of situations by presenting as Mark Read is a consistent motif through the tale (the consequences of which for Read’s sense of identity are tackled intelligently by De Tores). From first being forced by a penniless and domineering mother to portray a boy as a child to avoid the shame of a hidden pregnancy, Read’s male alter ego is then employed through stints in service, with the navy, infantry and cavalry, all of which require the adoption of a male guise. De Tores’ interest in this duality makes for a fascinating point of focus in a life that was not short of eye-catching moments.
As for the writing, De Tores is clearly comfortable laying on thick the dramatic language (“what the sea takes, it does not return”) and a dash more humour or warmth might have elevated the tale, but it moves at such gale-force pace that this is a minor grumble. Saltblood is rarely less than a captivating read.
Saltblood, Francesca De Tores (Bloomsbury)
Price: £15.29/£11.89 Ebook. Info: here
words HUGH RUSSELL