The ghost ship by Kate Mosse

The ghost ship is the third in the series The Joubert family chronicles but absolutely can stand on its own as a fascinating story of two unique women carving out their lives in the 1620s, the story travelling from France to the Dutch Republic to the Canary Islands off North Africa. It is the time of the persecution of the Huguenots, or French Protestants, by the Catholic nobility, leading to an exodus of refugees to South Africa. Louise Reydon-Joubert is a determined young woman, in love with ships and the sea, who takes command of the merchant ship ‘Old Moon’, first as the owner, then as the captain.

There are many well-researched books of historical fiction that recount the adventures of headstrong independent women. The thing that sets this one apart is the interesting juxtaposition of the two main characters. Louise is a woman who confronts male prejudices and asserts her intelligence and determination, speaking and behaving in ways that society is reluctant to countenance. On the other hand, there is a young girl who is forced to step into the shoes of her dead brother, and become a boy in order to secure his inheritance. She becomes the quietly spoken, and cautious Gilles, a man who avoids attention and keeps to himself as much as possible, always in fear of being found out. When the paths of these two meet they become gradually drawn to each other. They are both assuming roles outside of societal norms. Their relationship becomes something forbidden and dangerous, in the times of conservative religion and the Inquisition.

Added to this is adventure on the high seas, with merchant ships and slaving ships, and pirates! The ‘Ghost Ship’ is a strange phantom ship enveloped in clouds of noxious air, with no living crew, only dead figures slumped at the oars. Stories of the ship become embellished with superstition: the vessel is crewed by the undead, it is a thousand feet long, and it is commanded by a red-horned she-devil!

Mystery, adventure, murder and romance; this book has it all. And at the heart is an interesting interrogation of the role of women, of religious conservatism and intolerance, and the recurring and ongoing persecution of refugees. Readers who enjoy intelligent historical fiction, will no doubt eagerly await the promised sequel.

Themes: 17th century, Huguenots, Women, Gender, Sailing ships, Pirates.

Helen Eddy