The Buccaneers

By: Edith Wharton

Narrated by: Flo Gibson

Length: 8 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

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
[e-mail]

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.

engaging but unfinished

As always Mrs Wharton delivers an engaging story. however it is unfinished. which leaves us to our own devices to figure out what happens to our Nan. I think I need to watch the series that aired on PBS.

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.

Disappointed

If you could sum up The Buccaneers in three words, what would they be?

Don't know

Would you be willing to try another one of Flo Gibson’s performances?

NO

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No

Any additional comments?

The reader was not very good and she gave Conchita an Irish accent which was odd.

Any longer and it would've started dragging

First part of the book concerns some (nouveau riche) girls who try, but just aren't accepted by New York society - truly an example of Rich Peoples' Problems.
The young ladies head over to London where, in spite of the rigid class system there, they manage to snag a couple of swells. Part Two is a tale of "be careful what you wish for" as money and titles don't prove all they were cracked up to be - more Rich Peoples' Problems.
I give the work three stars as the writing quality is good, making it a decent read for those with a strong interest in Victorian literature.
A word on the audio narration: Flo Gibson can be an acquired taste, with her unusual cadence. I hadn't heard anything by her recently, so had to start over again with her style, but by the middle of the story either I'd become re-acquainted, or she'd hit her groove.

My favorite Wharton novel- it is not terribly sad

The novel has a on historical basis. Consuelo Vanderbilt was just one of the wealthy Americans in the latter 19th century who married into British aristocracy. Think also Churchill’s mother. For me the richest characters are the governess Laura Testvally, Sir Helmsley Thwarte and if I listen hard, the Duchess of Tintagel, each a disappointed person. Lizzy and Hector Robinson are a riot. I can’t tell about Nan because the story is unfinished. The written part does not closely heed Edith Wharton’s original outline. I have seen the movie and read a finished version but no one would finish the story like Edith Wharton.

An ok story with sass

What did you love best about The Buccaneers?

I love historical fiction written by female authors. This did not disappoint although at times the plot seemed to wonder. The characters were well development and the sassy humor caught my attention and kept me tuned in.