The History of Pendennis: His Fortunes and Misfortunes, His Friends and His Greatest Enemy (1848—1850) is a novel by the English author William Makepeace Thackeray. The novel took two years for him to write. Set in 19th century London, England, this novel features a young English gentleman Arthur Pendennis born in the country who sets out to seek his place in life and society. The novel portrays his love affairs with the callous Blanche Amory and poor Fanny. Both of them marry other people, and Pendennis finally weds Laura Bell, his adopted sister, who had always loved him. The characters include the snobbish social hanger-on Major Pendennis and the tipsy Captain Costigan. Miss Amory and Sir Francis Clavering are somewhat reminiscent of Becky Sharp and Sir Pitt from Vanity Fair. In line with other Thackeray s works, Pendennis offers an insightful and satiric picture of human character and aristocratic society. The masterful characterizations include the snobbish Major Pendennis and the tipsy Captain Costigan.