I am not typically a historical fiction girl, but I downloaded a sample of The Pirate Queen after hearing Katie from Beach Reads and Bubbly talk about it, read the chapter in one enormous gulp while laying under the covers one autumn morning, and immediately ordered a full copy. Its drama-packed, galloping rhythm of adventure and strong female protagonist energy reminded me in certain ways of early Outlander: in both, we enjoy a propulsive narrative dynamic of being always-on-the-run, with a wicked and politically powerful villain threatening personal, pointed harm, and a long-tail romance (though PQ is much less saucy than Outlander). It’s a book that you’ll look forward to picking up, with nary a dull moment; twists, turns, and witty repartee line every page.
I found the book’s sharpest achievements to be its exploration of female identity in times of disadvantage — i.e., what does it mean to be a queen, a mother, a wife, an adventurer in a culture that devalues women?; its impressively researched presentation of 16th century maritime technique, technology, and strategy; and crisp, considered prose, especially on the subject of life callings. Lawhon is an exceptional line writer, and is at her best when capturing the complex inner emotions of Grainne (the protagonist), especially as she contemplates her relationship to the water, a metonymy for — for what, I wonder? Vocation? Self-expression? The seas are not freedom for Grainne, as they present and often portend danger, but they are also where she is most herself, where she is able to lean into something that comes naturally to her and unpin from the expectations of the times — sometimes quite literally, as she swaps her continental dresses for sea-born trewes (trousers) while aboard. I found this particular knot of writing and thematic exploration spectacular. What does it mean to feel most at home in a particular undertaking, vocation, identity, while also finding it perilous, and sometimes working at cross-purposes with the other identities we maintain (i.e., her role as a mother, as her captaining often separates her from her family)? I found myself thinking of that quote from Michael Pollan: “Just because you find it difficult doesn’t mean you’re not born to do it.”
In short, I found myself luxuriating in Lawhon’s examination of what it means to be called to something in life, and how we respond to those callings as we age. (In the novel, the sea actually does call to Grainne, as she hears the steed of Manannan, the ancient Irish god of the sea.) Several of her passages on this motif knocked me sideways with their craft and poetry — something I would not have expected in a book that was also so capably technical and researched. I copied this line down into my journal:
“But she is learning to let others think of her what they will. She is learning to keep secrets. And in the dark soil of her silence, she is gathering bits of knowledge like seed, planting them deep.”
I loved this glimpse into Grainne’s maturation as a determined woman, learning how to protect and handle herself as she cuts her own path in life. Let them be wrong about you, indeed. Later, observing her advancing age, Lawhon writes: “Grace has lived far longer than either of her parents, than many people she has known. But still she hates the indignity of being stuck in a body that will no longer follow the commands of her mind.” I mean, is she speaking directly to my perimenopausal self or what? (Dang!)
One element of the book that did not work for me: the narrative structure. I found the toggling between life stages from chapter to chapter disorienting and distracting, and not in an additive way. I wondered at some point if the time traveling was meant to mimic the movements of the water? But we spend a lot of the time in the novel on land, too, and the notion feels overly gimmicky. I just cannot piece together what this was meant to contribute to the text beyond asking a lot of the reader. It certainly “gives away” the ending early — we know Grainne lives until a ripe old age early on in the book — and so it almost undermined the sense of danger that builds in certain scenes. The book also begins and ends in logical narrative time, i.e., we open the book and meet Grainne when she is young and we close the book just after Grainne has died, so it’s not as though the structure deposits us at a particularly important thematic point either. It might have made more sense if the book had closed when she met the Queen? Or maybe when she managed some incredible coup on the water? Please advance your alt perspectives on this. Am I missing something? Open to being schooled!
One final note on the tone of the book, and I’m not sure quite how to process this observation, but I found myself slightly detached from Grainne and the other characters. Of course I was gripped by the story and its dramas but I didn’t find myself gasping or crying or heart-hurt, even at points that might on the surface imply such reactions. For example, when we think Richard might have been killed, or when she literally goes to battle with her own son! I was almost inventing agonies and inner monologues for Grainne at these points, almost willing there to be heart and blood and tears, but Lawhon delivers these moments with a kind of coolness. In some ways, this made for very pleasant reading (I don’t always want to be gutted by book?), but I was wondering why I didn’t leave the book feeling heart-stirred despite its close-to-the-bone thematics of motherhood, identity, marriage, love. Did anyone else feel this way or was I reading insensitively?
All in all, I’d strongly recommend this book not only to historical fiction fans but to any novel-lover looking for a gripping read that will entertain and intrigue without ruining you emotionally. Grainne is a powerhouse character, too — I love her steely centricity, her lightning-quick intelligence, the way she knows her own self. Serious main character energy.
What were your thoughts?
The Pirate Queen Mood Board.
The Pirate Queen Reading and Discussion Questions.
+What did you make of the narrative structure? Why would Lawhon toggle between life stages in this way? What did it add to (or detract from) the story?
+Why does Grainne divorce Richard? More generally, what did you make of their relationship throughout the novel? How important was their romance to the overall arc of the novel?
+What did you think of Grainne’s interaction with The Queen? What did she learn from her, and how did that meeting advance the novel’s themes?
+How does Lawhon present motherhood in the novel? Did the portrait resonate? Did it seem to be in competition with Grainne’s identity as a captain?
+How did setting function in the novel?
+Grainne’s relationship with her stepbrother is among the strongest and most loyal (maybe the strongest and most loyal?) in the novel. What do you think Lawhon was saying about siblings and family, especially since Grainne and her son end up coming to blows with one another?
The Pirate Queen Playlist.
A sea-faring siren’s dream, on Spotify here and on Apple music here.
Our Next Book Club Pick.
I am tearing my way through Understory — will share thoughts on that soon, and I hope you can join the conversation, too!
Other read-right-now recommendations:
An Agatha Christie Fall: Lucy Foley’s Murder at the Grand Alpine
Historical Fiction Girlies: Paula Lafferty’s The Once and Future Queen (recommended by Jacqueline Bond!)
In the Mood for Love: Rioghnach Robinson’s Bad Words (blurbed by Emily Henry!)
Literary Autumn: Barbara Kingsolver’s Partita (can you imagine having to write something after Demon Copperhead?!)
Shopping Break.
+Obsessed with the idea of these rustic teak trouser jeans (the color is PERFECT) with this Celine-inspired wooly cardigan blazer.
+Would love that blazer layered over this merino tee — chic and sexy and warm; give me all the textures! — and while you’re there: this metallic striped knit skirt has been trending among Magpies this week! Super chic for a fall gathering with a crisp button-down or a simple black knit turtleneck.
+I did order this bag, in the whiskey color. She arrived and she’s spectacular. OMG. The details make it — I love the white contrast stitching, the elegant and slender shape, and the fact that you can wear the strap a few ways. Prepare to see this a lot in upcoming “what I loved wearing posts.” I thought the color was perfect, too. I have another brown leather shoulder bag but it’s a warm brown — cognac / saddle — and this has a really beautiful almost smokey gray brown vibe going. I love love her!
+If you love the look of the Negative waffle sets but want something a little less spendy, Splendid has a great new set that comes in several fun colors.
+Also love this navy fair isle knit (apres ski vibes — we just booked a ski weekend with friends for this winter and have it on my mind!) and this on-trend fringed cardigan (look for less for this splurgey Cara Cara!).
+OMG! Found the cutest patterned canvas totes. These have a Rue de Verneuil vibe but more reasonably priced. Several sizes and patterns available; I love the bandana print in the medium!
+If you have a winter wedding or evening affair…swooning over this column dress in the chicest chartreuse and this “illusion” Kate dress from JA (use code JEN-15). Isn’t that sheer organza neckline FABULOUS?!
+These fringed cape blouses are SO FUN for holiday. La Double J vibes for less. Use code JENS15. You could wear over the aforementioned chartreuse dress!
+New and very festive colorway in our favorite cashmere getaway sweater. You could pair with everything from satin skirts to tartan trousers to casual jeans. Meanwhile, this J. Crew sweater (similar silhouette, but cableknit) has been a top Magpie seller this week.
+Hotel Lobby is launching new holiday/winter candles today! They sent me samples of their new scents, Fresh Snow and Alpine Lodge, and they’re perfection. I especially like fresh snow: “White suede and warm musk under a veil of magnolia and jasmine.” It smells magical!
+Just discovered the coolest new cashmere brand, LaoLao Studios. I love their playful details, like the heart embroidered at the neckline on this perfect brushed pink cardigan sweater, and the contrast rollneck on this (esp in the green color)! Majorly on my radar right now.
+Coziest gray flannel sheets marked down here! I have also been loving our new piped sheets — they are crisp, cool, and have that luxury hotel vibe.
+While on that thread: another must-have if you tend to run hot at night. 20% off!
+For my football loving Magpies (or their children — I’ve been adding these to my “gift possibility” Pinterest board for my kids and my godchildren/neices/nephews): covetable and stylish team sweatshirts from here (honestly kind of obsessed with this old-school varsity vibes of this for myself?) and cheeky/cute motifs here.
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