Peak's Island / A Romance of Buccaneer Days

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26410

Title

Peak's Island / A Romance of Buccaneer Days

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in 1607, this romance follows Anna Vyvyan and her mother after a shipwreck leaves them stranded on Peak's Island. Amidst buccaneer threats and personal grief, they find solace in each other and a rescued officer, Colonel Carleton. A poignant tale of love, sacrifice, and enduring friendship.

Summary up to 500 words

Set in 1607, *Peak's Island: A Romance of Buccaneer Days* by Anna W. Ford Piper chronicles the harrowing shipwreck of the British vessel *Queen Elizabeth* off the coast of Virginia. The narrative centers on Anna Vyvyan, a fifteen-year-old girl of noble birth, and her mother, who survive the disaster only to be stranded on a desolate island strewn with wreckage and corpses. After three years of exile, the mother and daughter have built a life of quiet dignity amidst the ruins of a deserted manor. They care for the sick and raise their daughter, Cora, maintaining a spirit of resilience despite their isolation. Their solitude is broken by the arrival of Colonel Carleton, a fellow survivor who had been enslaved in Africa for seven years before being rescued by a Welsh captain. Upon reuniting with his wife and daughter, the family prepares to sail for Virginia. The story highlights the deep bond between Anna and her godmother, Ada Carleton, and the innocence of Cora, who remains unaware of the full extent of her mother's sacrifice until the tragic end. Tragedy strikes when Anna goes to collect shells for Cora and is swept out to sea by a massive wave. Despite the Colonel's desperate attempt to save her, Anna drowns, leaving her final words echoing from the ocean: "for dear Cora." The novel explores profound grief, the resilience of the human spirit, and the transformative power of love. It contrasts the harsh realities of shipwreck and slavery with the tender domestic life the survivors create. The narrative suggests that while physical things fade, the love of a true heart lives on forever, serving as a tribute to selfless devotion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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2026-07-06 09:17 UTC

Categories

• Adventure
• Romance