Black Duck

A young aspiring journalist in Rhode Island interviews an elderly man about the 1929 Black Duck incident, when a smuggling boat was found riddled with bullet holes during Prohibition. Through their conversations, the true story of rum running along the New England coast comes alive. The narrative moves between present-day interviews and historical events of the 1920s, focusing on two teenage boys who become entangled in the dangerous world of bootlegging. The boys navigate moral choices while witnessing the complex relationships between law enforcement, local fishermen, and organized crime during the era. The novel explores themes of truth versus legend, the price of loyalty, and how seemingly small decisions can have far-reaching consequences. Through its dual timeline structure, the book examines how history shapes both individuals and communities across generations.

Readers note the book provides solid historical details about 1920s rum-running while maintaining an engaging narrative structure that shifts between past and present. Many appreciate how it introduces young readers to Prohibition-era history through relatable teenage characters. Readers liked: - The realistic portrayal of coastal New England life - The friendship between main characters David and Ruben - Integration of true events with fictional storytelling - Fast-paced action sequences Common criticisms: - The frame narrative structure feels unnecessary to some - Slow pacing in the first third of the book - Limited character development for supporting roles - Historical details occasionally overshadow the plot Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (90+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One frequent reader comment highlights that it works well as both a coming-of-age story and historical fiction: "The author balances teenage perspectives with serious historical events without talking down to young readers."

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🔸 The Black Duck was a real rum-running vessel that operated during Prohibition, though the specific events in the novel are fictional. The actual boat was never caught by authorities during its smuggling runs. 🔸 Author Janet Taylor Lisle was inspired to write the story after discovering that her own Rhode Island hometown had been a major hub for rum-running operations during the 1920s. 🔸 Many real-life rum runners painted their boats black to better blend in with the darkness during nighttime smuggling operations, which is how the Black Duck got its name. 🔸 The Coast Guard's famous clash with rum runners on December 29, 1929 (known as the Black Duck Incident), resulted in three smugglers' deaths and sparked public outrage over Prohibition enforcement tactics. 🔸 The novel's structure, with an elderly character telling his story to a young journalist, was inspired by Lisle's own experience as a newspaper reporter interviewing older residents about local history.