The Buccaneers

By: Edith Wharton

Narrated by: Flo Gibson

Set in the 1870s, the same period as Wharton's The Age of Innocence, The Buccaneers is about five wealthy American girls denied entry into New York Society because their parents' money is too new. At the suggestion of their clever governess, the girls sail to London, where they marry lords, earls, and dukes who find their beauty charming—and their wealth extremely useful.

Public Domain (P)2008 Audio Book Contractors, LLC

Suzie's review of the Buccaneers

Would you consider the audio edition of The Buccaneers to be better than the print version?

Yes

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nan

Any additional comments?

I love the time period of this story....I love the clothes, the rules, etc of the rich families.

A rare happy ending of sorts

I love Edith Wharton's writing but her stories often end sadly, especially for the women. This one ends abruptly because she died before finishing it. Fortunately, she mapped out the whole story before she died. The outline for the story ends happily for the main protagonist! The writing and the realistic depiction of society in both the United States and Great Britain is perfection!

Too bad she died before she finished it

It’s hard to give a jazzy review to a book that didn’t get finished. New TV series they made of. It was so salacious. I felt the need to investigate the source text. Sure enough the original novel was not quite a salacious in fact, by today’s standards, it’s not salacious at all, but I imagine at the time of its publication, it was a little bit naughty.

Analysis English Society invaded by The Americans

Edith Wharton's Last (Unfinished) Novel. I've read several of Edith Wharton's novels - "The Customs of the Country"; The House of Mirth and The Age of Innocence"

This is a good novel - but its not as good as the above three novels. The main character Anabelle St. George isn't as memorable as other characters Lily Bart (The House of Mirth) and Undine Spragg (The Customs of the Country).

I've read that this novel was read by Julian Fellowes - then he, wondering what would happen one generation after the setting of this novel - created the frame for the television series/movie "Downtown Abbey".

Story of three daughters of three New York/American families who, after not succeeding to the level they wished in New York Society - decide to 'try a London Season' - meet and marry royalty.

The narrative is excellent - but not as insightful as other novels. The novel is unfinished - but the narration includes the author's notes/outline for the entire novel.

The Americans (economy rising - generation of wealth) fascinate the English Society - but represent 'the new' and really are not well accepted by 'the establishment' - at least two of the female characters have bad marriages. A penetrating look at English society 'invaded' by rich Americans....a prelude to World War II's english line.....about the Americans...."they're oversexed, overpaid and over here..."

Some of the narrative about class distinction, ignorance and arrogance - is as relevant today as when the novel was published.

The whole of Wharton's work is excellent - this is an enjoyable novel - others she has written are excellent as well.

Carl Gallozzi
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It was OK

I started to enjoy this performance when I slowed it down to about .8. Be sure to sample it before you buy.