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Book Description
Out of print for more than 20 years, this novel--an 11-chapter fragment at Austen's death completed with seamless artistry by an Austen aficionado and novelist--is a wonderful addition to Austen's beloved books.
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First Sentence
A gentleman and a lady travelling from Tunbridge towards that part of the Sussex coast which lies between Hastings and Eastbourne, being induced by business to quit the high road and attempt a very rough lane, were overturned in toiling up its long ascent, half rock, half sand. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
A gentleman and a lady travelling from Tunbridge towards that part of the Sussex coast which lies between Hastings and Eastbourne, being induced by business to quit the high road and attempt a very rough lane, were overturned in toiling up its long ascent, half rock, half sand. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not for purists, but a great read for Jane Austen fans,
By
This review is from: Sanditon: Jane Austen's Last Novel Completed (Paperback)
There's only one Jane Austen, and I think we're all agreed on that.Unfortunately, Jane Austen died with this novel unfinished. If you're an Austen purist, you should probably leave it at that, because no-one else will ever be good enough to complete it. However, if you mostly like a good read and don't mind someone else taking a crack at it, then this one is really not bad at all -- head and shoulders above the (often dreadful) sequels I have read. The "Other Lady" has clearly put a lot of time into studying Jane Austen's style, her quirks and her limits, and does a pretty good job of providing us with a story that may be quite close to whatever Austen herself intended. In fact, the parts that struck me first as being somewhat un-Austen-esque -- the rather contrived way that Charlotte comes to Sanditon at all, Sir Edward's absurdly florid speeches, Lady Denham's inconsistency -- are actually in Austen's original text. The whole first half of the book doesn't seem up to her usual standard -- but of course it isn't! It's an unfinished first draft. She probably would never have had it published in this state, and no-one now is going to edit it for her. The second half of the book -- written entirely by the Other Lady and surely worked on much harder -- is actually rather better. True, the writing is occasionally a shade more modern than Austen's own, and the little jabs at human frailties and foibles don't come off quite so well as they might, but it doesn't waffle so much, and on the whole it's consistent, believable and very much in Austen's style. I did think the ending was overly melodramatic -- but it's certainly less so than Northanger Abbey, and seems to be set up (by Austen herself) quite early in the book. I loved the way Sidney Parker's character unfolded, and the little side-story of Arthur, Miss Lambe and the seaweed was hugely enjoyable and quite in keeping with the times. Charlotte suffers all the pangs of an Austen heroine in love, battles valiantly to overcome them and (of course) is rewarded with her hero in the end -- as Austen clearly intended. If you're an Austen purist, leave this alone. But if you're an Austen fan, and occasionally frustrated that she only ever published six novels, you could do a lot worse than to read this one.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Glad its available,so desperate to read bought out-of-print!,
By wearethefuture (OR USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sanditon: Jane Austen's Last Novel Completed (Paperback)
I first read this 20 years ago from the library and reread three times. I liked it so much I bought from out-of-print edition 6 years ago and reread again. I am very pleased this book is available again so others can enjoy. The other lady lets you know where she continues the story in the forward. Jane Austen set up the characters to a point that you can see this might have been one of her wittier and lighter novels. Some of Austen's previous novels after Pride and Prejudice and Emma became darker and more moralistic as they paralleled the transitions and losses in her real life. Her acceptance of her situation must have been easing because this novel is set in a wittier and lighter tone with good characters. The other lady transitions well and continues the characters and adds humor and Austenlike twists of her own to carry the characters to a satisfying ending.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging,
By Kendra (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Sanditon: Jane Austen's Last Novel Completed (Paperback)
Although Jane Austen did not live to complete this novel, the first eleven chapters that she did write (remembering that she did not live to edit and proofread as she probably would have liked--and therefore these chapters provide a wonderful example of her process of creation)opened a door that has the charming capability to lead us down several different corridors. 'Another Lady' has chosen just one of these many corridors and, while admitting herself that she is not Jane Austen and therefore could never possibly complete the novel exactly as Ms. Austen would, leads the reader on an engaging, worthwhile journey. For those critics that scoff at her attempt and criticize her courage, I ask them to complete "Sanditon" better than 'Another Lady' did. Not only does 'Another Lady's skillful penmanship shine through but also her humility in the insightful apology at the conclusion of the novel. Perhaps those who ridicule her should try to behave with more kindness and compassion, admitting to themselves that they could do no better, and would probably do worse. To any Jane Austen fans who are considering reading this novel, I wholeheartedly encourage you to. Read this book with an open mind and I promise you will enjoy it. Through the pages of Sanditon we are allowed to escape into a more peaceful, contented time. A friendlier time. A time which, I am sad to say, is too far behind us now.
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