The Changeling

The story of pirate Anne Bonny is retold as a magic realist novel. MacLeod introduces her magic realism with a straight-faced technique that may have readers initially perplexed, but that works better as the narrative progresses. Bonny is a changeling, perhaps partially the offspring of a black tomcat; her caul will protect her from drowning; wise women foretell the future in mystic terms. The novel is also well characterized, with secondary characters such as Jack Rackham and Mary Read sympathetic and engaging. A certain lack of detailed action scenes (considering this is a pirate novel) is partly made up for by strong dialogue and touches of both humor and sensuality. Although in the final analysis the themes of selfhood and relationships with parents get a little muddled and a little sentimental, this is well worth reading.