TL;DR
The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton and Marion Mainwaring is a tale of love, societal boundaries, and transatlantic marriages set in the Gilded Age.
What is The Buccaneers about
The Buccaneers is set in the 1870s and tells the story of five wealthy American girls who are snubbed by New York society because their families' wealth is too new. Guided by their clever governess, they travel to London, where they marry into the British aristocracy. Marion Mainwaring completed the novel based on Wharton's outline after Wharton's death. The novel explores themes of love, societal expectations, and the transatlantic dynamics of wealth and class.
The Buccaneers 6 Key Takeaways
Snubbed by New York Society
Five wealthy American girls are denied entry into New York society due to their families' new money. This sets the stage for their journey abroad.
Journey to London
At the suggestion of their governess, the girls travel to London to find husbands among the British aristocracy, who value their beauty and wealth.
Marriages of Convenience
The girls marry lords, earls, and dukes, entering a world where their wealth is appreciated, but their American roots and new money are still looked down upon.
Nan St. George's Romance
The story especially focuses on Nan St. George, whose romantic involvement with Guy Thwarte, a British aristocrat, challenges the societal norms of both their worlds.
Societal Expectations
The novel delves into the societal expectations and constraints faced by these women, highlighting the contrasts between American and British high society.
Completion by Marion Mainwaring
Marion Mainwaring completed the novel after Wharton's death, staying true to the original outline and delivering a story that resonates with Wharton's style and themes.
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The Buccaneers Best Reviews
- The New York Times Book Review praised it as 'Brave, lively, engaging...a fairy-tale novel, miraculously returned to life.'
- The Christian Science Monitor noted that 'If it could have been completed, The Buccaneers would doubtless stand among the richest and most sophisticated of Wharton's novels.'
Top The Buccaneers Quotes
- 'Brave, lively, engaging...a fairy-tale novel, miraculously returned to life.'
- 'If it could have been completed, The Buccaneers would doubtless stand among the richest and most sophisticated of Wharton's novels.'
Who should read The Buccaneers?
This book is ideal for readers who enjoy historical fiction, particularly those intrigued by the societal dynamics of the Gilded Age. Fans of Edith Wharton’s other works and romantic tales set against the backdrop of high society will find much to appreciate.
The Buccaneers FAQs
What happens in The Buccaneers book?
The Buccaneers focuses on five wealthy American girls who travel to London after being snubbed by New York society. They marry British aristocrats, blending their beauty and wealth with the need for titles and land.
Is The Buccaneers based on a true story?
While not based on a true story, The Buccaneers takes inspiration from the historical 'dollar princesses'—American women who married British aristocrats to inject wealth into their estates.
Is The Buccaneers true to the novel?
The Apple TV+ series is 'loosely' based on the novel but follows its main plot, exploring the lives and marriages of the American girls in British high society.