Julie Walker author Bonny and Read

For the first time on The Merry Menopause Bookclub podcast, I’ve chosen a fiction book, Bonny and Read is the historical reimagining of two female pirates Anne Bonny and Mary Read. 

Author Julie Walker first came across this swashbuckling duo as a teenager when she was listening to the Adam Ant song Five Guns West.  She was instantly fascinated by their story and has meticulously researched them ever since. 

Bonny and Read has been longlisted for both the Mslexia First Novel Prize and the Bath Novel Award. 

Join Julie and I as we discuss what led her to write the story of Ann Bonny and Mary Read and the circumstances that led these two legendary women to meet, live and adapt to a life on board a pirate ship in the Caribbean in 1700’s. 

How they became immortalised in a ballard, a book and achieved celebrity and mythical status.

This is the story of two strong and resourceful women from very different backgrounds and parts of the world, who lived, loved and created history onboard a pirate ship named The Revenge.

Bonny and Read is out on the 4th of August and is a perfect summer read.

Julie’s book choices 

Life and Loves of a She Devil Fay Weldon

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

You can follow Julie on Twitter @NicerMarmot