Enduring Children's Classics, and the Illustrators we love
Jane Austen's Sanditon
Jane Austen was eleven and a half chapters into a promising seventh novel when she put down her pen and wrote no more.
Her final sentence, intended for the novel, read:
“It was impossible not to feel him hardly used; to be obliged to stand back in his own house and see the best place by the fire constantly occupied by Sir Henry Denham”.
The chapters left to us are enough to establish that Austen meant the work as a full novel, that her heroine was Charlotte, and the love interest more than likely Sidney Parker, but as for the “how”, we can only guess at.
Happily, several authors have lent their talent in completing Sanditon, and in celebration of Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, I researched, and am currently reading, all those I could find.
(Please note this is currently a working post-I am updating as I read)
I hope you find a version of Jane Austen’s Sanditon to suit your tastes…
– Heather –
JAne Austen’s Sanditon: A Continuation
By Jane Austen and Anna Lefroy Austen
This first attempt to finish Jane Austen’s Sanditon by her niece, Anna Lefroy Austen, is itself another unfinished fragment, but possibly the closest thing we have to Jane Austen’s original vision. To my current knowledge there is no evidence to suggest that Jane Austen discussed Sanditon’s plot with her niece. However, it is not an idea entirely without merit due to the fact that Jane Austen acted very much like a writing coach or mentor to her niece, who had aspirations to be a writer herself.
I was not sure what I expected, but I was rather impressed with this continuation, unfinished as it is. What stands out to me the most about Anna Lefroy Austen’s fragment is Clara Brereton’s backstory. I also found it very easy to read (fragment portion is 106 pages).
Edward & Esther Denham’s background and character are explored in more detail, along with description of their home. Esther’s character is closer to the Esther in the PBS Masterpiece series.
I have only been able to locate Lefroy’s continuation on Internet Archives, where it is presented together with Lefroy’s writing of Reminiscences of Aunt Jane, which is, in itself highly interesting!
Believed to have been written in 1830s or 1840s
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Sanditon
By Alice Cobbett
This one is a challenge to find, but will update once I locate and read it!
1930
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∞ Check your local library
Sanditon
By Jane Austen & Another Lady
This cleverly authored continuation of Jane Austen’s Sanditon feels the closest to Jane Austen’s “voice” than any of the other continuations I have read thus far. I found it memorable and romantic, with a rather exciting end!
Continuation – contains Jane Austen’s original Sanditon chapters.
1975
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Sanditon
By Juliette Shapiro
I found this Sanditon continuation by Juliette Shapiro to be the fastest paced and felt it centered more on the community of Sanditon than on the romance between Charlotte and Sidney Parker, which is perhaps an apt take on the narrative considering Jane Austen’s original title of The Brothers (according to the family). Also, there is a fascinating “upstairs-downstairs” element to some of the plot, which was wonderful.
Continuation – contains Jane Austen’s original Sanditon chapters.
M. Evans and Company Inc, New York 2000
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Sanditon
By Kate Riordan
I loved this adaptation but, although it has Kate Riordan’s beautiful prose and some small additions here and there, it contains the plot, dialogue and characters of the TV version almost word for word, so I would recommend this version if you have not yet seen the TV series or if it has been a while since you have watched it.
Adaptation – does not contain Jane Austen’s original Sanditon chapters.
M. Evans and Company Inc, New York 2000
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Sanditon on Reflection
By D.B. Thomas
I am a big fan of this adaptation!
I would recommend Sanditon on Reflection if you enjoyed the TV series but felt the ending could have been better, as the narrative follows the basic plot established by the TV series but adds layers to the story that are wonderful and completely satisfying!
Also…it is illustrated!
Every few chapters, grayscale copies of paintings by Marjan de Jonge adorn the story.
Adaptation – does not contain Jane Austen’s original Sanditon chapters.
Bookbaby, 2021
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A Season at Sanditon
By Rose Servitova
I have heard good things about this Sanditon continuation by Rose Servitova. I am currently reading it so will update this post soon.
Continuation – contains Jane Austen’s original Sanditon chapters although please note that not all the original chapters are included.
Wooster Publishing, 2022
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Charlotte
By Julia Barrett
Although the title of Charlotte is a bit misleading, as it is just as much if not more about the town of Sanditon and its inhabitants than about the character of Charlotte alone, I can’t help but wonder if this continuation by Julia Barrett provided bits and pieces of inspiration for the TV series.
I also feel that it tries a bit too hard to sound like Jane Austen, and overdoes it at times to the point where it can be difficult to follow. However, I love how much of Sidney Parker’s point of view the reader enjoys. Also, there are some truly witty moments.
Continuation – contains Jane Austen’s original Sanditon chapters.
M. Evans and Company, 2000
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A Return to Sanditon
By Jane Austen and Anne Toledo
Those Who Tell
By Alma Kelleher
Will update soon! It seems this author has also independently published three other Sanditon related works:
The Gentleman’s House Near the Lane
Alma Kelleher, 2020
Find It:
∞ Amazon
The Price of Butcher’s Meat
By Reginald Hill
The Suspicion at Sanditon
By Carrie Bebris
Jane Austen out of the blue
by Donald Measham
This independently published exploration of what Jane Austen might have intended for her final work sounds intriguing!
Lulu.com, 2006
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That is it for now! I will update this post as I read them and as I find new continuations.
If you would like to see many of them in person, I share them, along with my thoughts, in the video below.
I hope you enjoyed this post on the various continuations and adaptations of Jane Austen’s Sanditon!