Rating: 
Summary: American Beauties Seek British Titles/Brits Seek American $$
Review: Edith Wharton's last novel opens at the height of the racing season in Saratoga, NY, in 1876. Here America's 'nouveau riche' women gather; mothers and daughters who have been shunned by the elite, 'old money' society, scheme to marry their girls into the British aristocracy. Four beautiful young women become fast friends, as they dream and scheme together of potential suitors and titles in far off England. An English woman, unmarried and sophisticated, is hired to instruct the four friends in 'all that is necessary' to be successfully presented into British society. The girls' quest is most certainly not an impossible one. Many eligible, young aristocrats are short of funds necessary to keep up their vast estates. They are more than willing to marry American money, especially when wrapped in a beautiful, charming package, which will allow them to live in the style to which they are accustomed. The story is told through the eyes, and from the hearts, of these young debutantes - wide-eyed, innocent and full of fun and American energy. Their longed-for entry into English society, and their subsequent marriages, joys and disappointments, as well as their strong, never waning, friendship for each other, is chronicled here with fascinating detail. The world of their childish fantasies is not the world of reality, as romance fades and financial worries, marital infidelities and lost love take the place of past dreams. They each struggle with the conflict between individual and social fulfillment, repressed sexuality, and the manners and mores of Britain's 'old families.' They discover secrets that were kept from them during courtship - intrigues, and hidden, devastating character flaws in their matrimonial choices. Edith Wharton's descriptions of the wonderful American and British settings - the gorgeous countryside, great homes and extravagant furnishings, lavish clothing and courtship rites are remarkable. Each of the four young women have much in common, although their characters are quite different. Part of the glory of this novel is Wharton's development of her characters and their growth, as the young women mature with time and experience. The lesser characters are vividly drawn and complex. Her portrayal of the conflict between the American old society and the immense wealth of the newly rich robber barons and their socially ambitious wives, is an accurate and compelling glimpse of our past. I know that Edith Wharton died before completing this extraordinary novel. I could wish, along with thousands of others, I am sure, that she had been allowed to live long enough to complete this masterpiece. However, Marion Mainwaring's conclusion does not diminish my immense enjoyment of the book in the least.
Rating: 
Summary: A travesty
Review: How could this Mainwaring person have the nerve to ruin an Edith Wharton novel? Her chapters were contrived and ridiculous, a romance novel tacked onto an intelligent exploration of Americans in England. The characters completely changed "character" when she took over. Phew! I barely made it through the last 50 pages they were so dreadful. IF YOU'RE THINKING OF TRYING EDITH WHARTON DEFINITELY SKIP THIS ONE.
Rating:
Summary: The most romantic and well written Edith Wharton Novel.
Review: I adore this novel. It's my favorite Wharton novel and I just can't say enough about it. The language, setting, and tone just pull and draw the reader in. This novel is just so perfectly constructed. It's a wonderful read....not only do you get a WONDERFUL romance, but you get a well balanced, classical English novel. I also really love the friendship between the girls and how it ties the whole novel together. I can't even explain why and how much I love this book.
Rating:
Summary: The most romantic and well written Edith Wharton Novel.
Review: I adore this novel. It's my favorite Wharton novel and I just can't say enough about it. The language, setting, and tone just pull and draw the reader in. This novel is just so perfectly constructed. It's a wonderful read....not only do you get a WONDERFUL romance, but you get a well balanced, classical English novel. I also really love the friendship between the girls and how it ties the whole novel together. I can't even explain why and how much I love this book.
Rating:
Summary: Piracy in petticoats
Review: I first learned of this story from the 1995 miniseries, which I loved. In reading the book it was immediately apparent that the miniseries was quite different in some respects from the original, unfinished text. However, this is not a problem. The novel articulates beautifully the feeling of being always an outsider in one's adopted country and adds several perspectives that are not present in the tv adaptation. Set in the late 1800s, a quartet of American girls, overlooked by the fashionable New York set, seek their matrimonial fortunes in England. Each of our protagonists is unique: from Nan, the dreamy romantic upon who the plot rests and her goddess-like sister Virginia, to the impetuous Connie and the shrewd, savvy and practical Elmswood sisters Lizzie and Mabel. This is not a story without drama and pain, nor do I find it as depressing a tale as many of Wharton's other novels -- thinking particularly about "Life of Mirth". I personally attribute this cautious optimism to Marion Mainwaring who pulled the original unfinished novel together. The story remains one that, for me, is eminently re-readable and thought provoking. It is equal parts society scandal and personal meditation -- a mix that works wonderfully.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging and enjoyable
Review: I was skeptical about reading this book, since it was not complete by Edith Wharton. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Marion Mainwaring did a wonderful job of completing the novel. I was unable to tell where Edith's writing stopped and Marion's began. (The afterword describes exactly what Marion added.) -very fun book to read. I finished it in just a few days.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent novel by an excellent woman writer!
Review: The Buccaneers hooked me onto Edith Wharton. Her tone and use of subtle sarcasm is similar to that of Jane Austen. If you love Austen, give Wharton a try. Definitely lighter in tone than Ethan Frome, but equally substantial.
Rating: 
Summary: Compared to Middlemarch
Review: The Buccaneers is my all-time-favorite novel. There's just something about the love story between Nan St. George and Guy Thwaite. I love how she follows her heart even when she's sure to be branded an outcast by her family and friends. Watch the miniseries based on this book as well! Carla Gugino is great as Nan St. George.
Rating:
Summary: Died with Wharton
Review: The first two-thirds of THE BUCCANEERS is brilliant, Wharton's at the top of her form -- hilarious, penetrating, exciting, effortless. Before reading, I didn't know and didn't want to inform myself precisely where the original material ended; I wanted to perpetuate the hope that there could be another great Wharton novel I hadn't read. But the book dies after chapter 29. It's like falling off a cliff. You have to be pretty insensible not to feel it yourself, and it's tremendously disappointing. I couldn't read more than a few pages of the added material, and then quit out of loyalty. Still, the Wharton first draft is a kick to read -- if for no other reason, for instance, than to see what a perfect first chapter looks like.
Rating:
Summary: Died with Wharton
Review: The first two-thirds of THE BUCCANEERS is brilliant, Wharton's at the top of her form -- hilarious, penetrating, exciting, effortless. Before reading, I didn't know and didn't want to inform myself precisely where the original material ended; I wanted to perpetuate the hope that there could be another great Wharton novel I hadn't read. But the book dies after chapter 29. It's like falling off a cliff. You have to be pretty insensible not to feel it yourself, and it's tremendously disappointing. I couldn't read more than a few pages of the added material, and then quit out of loyalty. Still, the Wharton first draft is a kick to read -- if for no other reason, for instance, than to see what a perfect first chapter looks like.
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