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margaret_j_c's review against another edition
Not my favorite setting or era, but a very engaging exploration of human nature - the nature of one young American girl in particular. Its fairytale-ish ending is flimsy and transparent, further commentary on the story as a whole. Disillusionment and fantasy exist side-by-side in Wharton's world, and they don't get along very smoothly. One can imagine that reality came crashing in just after the curtain fell.
mchagnon's review against another edition
3.0
This definitely reads like an unfinished novel. I feel like the plot and characters were all very underdeveloped. But, I did enjoy the book and the story; I just wish there was more of both.
momsterlee's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
brittanhart's review against another edition
4.0
kind of upset about the idea of this lady finishing it. would of preferred a raw manuscript, couldn't find it
rigbymel76's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a good read. This edition was completed by an Edith Wharton scholar (based on Mrs. Wharton's notes).
the_naptime_reader's review against another edition
4.0
I was already a fan of Wharton going into this book. She writes so beautifully and has such interesting characters. She certainly captures this particular period of time well. She wrote what she knew, and her own life experiences certainly play a role in parts of this story. I adored the first 29 chapters that she wrote. It reminded me a little of Downtown Abbey.
It’s such a shame that she died and did not finish the book though. While I know that Mainwaring was an expert on Wharton and followed her synopsis, we’ll never know exactly what she would have said. For me there was a clear shift in the voice and style for the last 12 chapters that Mainwaring wrote.
4.5 stars for Edith, 3 for Marion, so I made it 4 stars.
It’s such a shame that she died and did not finish the book though. While I know that Mainwaring was an expert on Wharton and followed her synopsis, we’ll never know exactly what she would have said. For me there was a clear shift in the voice and style for the last 12 chapters that Mainwaring wrote.
4.5 stars for Edith, 3 for Marion, so I made it 4 stars.
chloellamb3's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
katenetz's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a while since I read any Wharton, but her writing was more straightforward and simple than I remember. I was looking for some nice 19th century social drama, and I certainly found it in The Buccaneers, but I was disappointed in the lack of angst and psychological drama that I'd expect from Wharton. There were some odd plot jumps that I was also sad about, as the reader misses most of the significant plot point.
And as other reviewers have mentioned, I didn't appreciate the alternate happy ending provided by the 20th century author. Where's the inner drama?! Where's the angst?!
And as other reviewers have mentioned, I didn't appreciate the alternate happy ending provided by the 20th century author. Where's the inner drama?! Where's the angst?!