Sanditon Group Read – Introduction

Several months ago, tremendous excitement overtook the Jane Austen world when we learned there would soon be an entirely new film adaptations coming our way! Not only was this one going to be based on a never-before-attempted Jane Austen work (her unfinished novel Sanditon), but it was being written by Andrew Davies, talented screenwriter of other beloved JA adaptations. What a perfect scenario!

Our anticipation built even higher when we began to see preview clips of the mini-series. The costumes were lovely, the cinematography beautiful, and the cast gorgeous. It looked as if no expense had been spared to make Sanditon a lavish, first-class production – everything the hordes of Jane Austen fans could ever wish for!

As you probably know, the mini-series has since aired in the UK to mixed reviews. Some people absolutely adored it, and others… well, let’s just say others were not pleased. Still, despite the controversy (or perhaps because of it), I expect that when Sanditon debuts on US television January 12th, most of us will be tuned in. Will the series measure up to our high expectations? Does it do justice to Jane Austen’s partial novel on which it’s based? We will simply have to see for ourselves!

But how can we be fully prepared to judge or appreciate the adaptation unless we first are well acquainted with the original? So let’s read (or reread) Jane’s twelve completed chapters, and let’s do it together as a GROUP READ! Join us here at Austen Variations every Friday between now and when Sanditon airs in January to discuss that week’s assigned chapters.

How about a little background first, though?

In January 1817, Austen was already in the tenacious grip of her final illness. But, temporarily feeling a little better, she began the story she called The Brothers, which later became known as Sandition. While seriously ill herself, she wrote about a new seaside spa town and the hypochondriacs who live and visit there. Some consider it her most “slapstick” writing since her Juvenilia, filled with ironic humor and physical comedy. Unfortunately, Austen’s symptoms worsened again. When she could no longer manage the difficulties of writing with a quill pen, she switched to a pencil. Then finally, in March, she gave up the work altogether after writing only twelve chapters. She died four months later.

No one knows for sure how Austen intended to complete Sanditon or even if she had that worked out in her own mind. A couple of modern novelists have tried their hands at picking up the story where she left off. And soon we’ll have the chance to see where Andrew Davies vision takes it.

But other people’s ideas aside, one thing is certain: We have 12 chapters of genuine Austen to read, savor, and enjoy!!! To the true JA fan, that’s the best part. So let’s get started.

Your assignment this week is to read Chapters 1 through 3 of Sanditon.

In chapter 1, we meet a man who is an investor in and chief promoter of Sanditon as a healthful and fashionable seaside resort. But there is something unusual in how Austen introduces him to her readers, something that made me think of Rebecca. Can you discover what I mean by that? I came across some examples of classic Austen wit in chapter 2 (her body may have been failing, but her mind was obviously still sharp!).  Make a note of your favorite line. As you learn about some of the rest of the players in chapter 3, consider if any of them reminds you of another Austen character.

Next Friday, we’ll discuss these questions and anything else that caught your fancy, before moving on to chapters 4-6. See you right back here December 20th, and now HAPPY READING!

(Note: If you don’t own a copy, don’t let that stand in your way. You can check your library, get an e-book edition for as little as $.99, or read it free online here or at any number of other sites.)