My mental gears are jammed. I suppose they have been for a long time. Or I would have honored our beloved Rachel Remen back in August when she peacefully passed after a long struggle with breast cancer. The wise oncologist gave us Kitchen Table Wisdom and My Grandfather’s Blessings—two staples that will ground even those who are light in the emotional toolkit. Thankfully, her insights will live on. It’s hard to lose a strong, formidable, progressive woman. Fortunately, the light of a pioneering woman never fades. If you don’t believe me, just ask Ariel Lawhon.
Lawhon and I became fast imaginary friends when I read Frozen River earlier this year. It didn’t take long to realize that the critically acclaimed author knows how to combine meticulous primary research with a clever, gripping narrative. I expected her to flex again in her new release The Pirate Queen. Lawhon’s latest historical fiction spotlights Grace O’Malley, a “fearless leader by land and by sea, political pragmatist and tactician, rebel, pirate, and matriarch; the most notorious woman in all the coasts of Ireland.” A force to be reckoned with, Grace rose to power and later infamy by leading clans and taking over her family’s shipping and trade empire—domains dominated by men in the 16th century. This narrative follows the epic life of the unlikely yet formidable seafarer who directly challenged the English monarchy. Of course, fascinating lives make for fascinating stories. And this one did not disappoint.
Be warned: because this book is about sailors, there’s plenty of salty, sometimes abrasive language.
