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A Season at Sanditon
When Charlotte Heywood visits bathing place, Sanditon, as a guest of Tom Parker and his wife, she soon forms a friendship with his brother Sidney. Following a sea-bathing accident, the fascinating Dr Hollis enters her life and soon Charlotte and Sanditon will never be the same again. Romance, deceit and the threat of ruin force Charlotte to admit her short-sightedness and, in her attempt to make amends, acknowledge that her own happiness is tied up in the fate of Sanditon.Jane Austen commenced writing Sanditon over 200 years ago, putting it aside unfinished only weeks before her death. Now, award-winning writer, Rose Servitova, who successfully completed Jane Austen’s other unfinished work The Watsons, has finished her manuscript in a manner true to Austen’s style and wit.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 24, 2022
Always admired Rose's writing because it combines her own immense skill with an understanding and appreciation of Austen's originals.
The wonderful A Season at Sanditon has romance, humour, social commentary, a satisfying ending, and a cast of characters whose personalities we are forced to reevaluate as the novel progresses. A truly Austenesque outcome, then, that honours the spirit of Austen's fragment and Austen's legacy.
For the record, my favourite quote:
"If being a gentleman was a guarantee of virtue, the population in this fair land would not be so high."
Closely followed by:
"I have called for tea. There is no situation that is not made better with tea."
The wonderful A Season at Sanditon has romance, humour, social commentary, a satisfying ending, and a cast of characters whose personalities we are forced to reevaluate as the novel progresses. A truly Austenesque outcome, then, that honours the spirit of Austen's fragment and Austen's legacy.
For the record, my favourite quote:
"If being a gentleman was a guarantee of virtue, the population in this fair land would not be so high."
Closely followed by:
"I have called for tea. There is no situation that is not made better with tea."
November 4, 2022
What can I say? This was one of the best books I've read in 2022. Servitova's new work blended in with Austen's work smoothly, and she finished off the story with pizzazz.
My technical review will not summarize the book, instead, it will indicate any issues that could distract from the pleasure of reading of the novel.
First, this is not TV Sanditon with its gratuitous this and that, rather, it's a different imagining that's truer to Austen.
The plot was a complete story arc with a fairly brisk pace throughout and no side stories that didn't belong. From Austen's early chapters, the tale ramped up into a nice angsty section before settling out into a bunch of surprises in its HEA.
Characters were well fleshed out and kept consistent. The villain was hinted at early on, yet cleverly enough written that the readers were taken along for the ride in a similar fashion as the characters. minor characters were not described any more than needed for their roles.
Language was Regency inspired, with only a few non-Regency words, and they were seen much less often than in the average JAFF novel. A similar comment can be made for Americanisms. A couple of really obvious typos jarred the reader, but on the other hand, there were only three contractions, which is very forgivable.
A couple of scenes were slightly confusing and could have been fleshed out better, but in comparison with the vast majority, where the scene setting was clear and used all the senses, these did not take away from the enjoyment of the novel a great deal.
The choice of artwork for the cover is clever as it certainly shows the reader that their reading choice is at the beach should they pick this book. The fonts are dull and not all that well thought out in terms of balance, though. They're merely put where they least bother the artwork and not thought of as a critical part of the look of the cover, which they are. In addition, some kind of quote at the top is unreadable at thumbnail size. The quote looks to be too long in any case. I don't think this cover stands out enough to say "Buy Me" among the more interesting covers it's competing with. It's unique and new, which is in its favour, but it's a bit too blah.
As a great read, it would be hard to top this book. Rose Servitova was brave to take on this story and make it her own, and her original characters were part of why it succeeded as a fascinating story in the "can't put it down" category. I strongly urge others to choose this book as their next reading selection.
Disclaimer: I am a JAFF author and some might believe that this review is a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I write them for both the reader and the author.
My technical review will not summarize the book, instead, it will indicate any issues that could distract from the pleasure of reading of the novel.
First, this is not TV Sanditon with its gratuitous this and that, rather, it's a different imagining that's truer to Austen.
The plot was a complete story arc with a fairly brisk pace throughout and no side stories that didn't belong. From Austen's early chapters, the tale ramped up into a nice angsty section before settling out into a bunch of surprises in its HEA.
Characters were well fleshed out and kept consistent. The villain was hinted at early on, yet cleverly enough written that the readers were taken along for the ride in a similar fashion as the characters. minor characters were not described any more than needed for their roles.
Language was Regency inspired, with only a few non-Regency words, and they were seen much less often than in the average JAFF novel. A similar comment can be made for Americanisms. A couple of really obvious typos jarred the reader, but on the other hand, there were only three contractions, which is very forgivable.
A couple of scenes were slightly confusing and could have been fleshed out better, but in comparison with the vast majority, where the scene setting was clear and used all the senses, these did not take away from the enjoyment of the novel a great deal.
The choice of artwork for the cover is clever as it certainly shows the reader that their reading choice is at the beach should they pick this book. The fonts are dull and not all that well thought out in terms of balance, though. They're merely put where they least bother the artwork and not thought of as a critical part of the look of the cover, which they are. In addition, some kind of quote at the top is unreadable at thumbnail size. The quote looks to be too long in any case. I don't think this cover stands out enough to say "Buy Me" among the more interesting covers it's competing with. It's unique and new, which is in its favour, but it's a bit too blah.
As a great read, it would be hard to top this book. Rose Servitova was brave to take on this story and make it her own, and her original characters were part of why it succeeded as a fascinating story in the "can't put it down" category. I strongly urge others to choose this book as their next reading selection.
Disclaimer: I am a JAFF author and some might believe that this review is a conflict of interest. However, I was a reader first, and my reviews are honest and impartial. I write them for both the reader and the author.
December 8, 2022
I loved this book! I read the fragment years ago and I've read another completion but this is my favourite. After the disappointment of the TV series, this book is like a healing balm. And so beautifully Austenian in its language and humour. I especially like the way the author has adapted (and slightly modernised) the fragment to suit her own story. And the continuing story is fabulous - in particular, Sidney and Charlotte's characters are drawn perfectly and really fit in well with the idea of them we gain from the fragment. As do most of the other characters, especially Tom and Diana. Only quibble was the missing Susan Parker, but I can understand why she was left out.
October 23, 2022
Gratidte
Thank you for a lovely Sydney/Charlotte story. A great spin on the Parker family with happy ending for many regardless of the villain
Thank you for a lovely Sydney/Charlotte story. A great spin on the Parker family with happy ending for many regardless of the villain
January 6, 2023
Whilst it's hard, of course, not to people Rose's retelling with the cast of the TV Sanditon, this version offers us everything we need and more, the superior surroundings of Sanditon, engaging characters, romance, peril, fops, fools, a nefarious villain, and misunderstandings and milch asses aplenty, all delivered with a combination of trademark Servitovan and Austenian wit! Classic tropes are included, with our heroine's journey of self discovery, Austen's humorous take on clergymen (I have to say Revd Hanking was not as ridiculous as I might have expected - I rather liked him!) and a happy ending at the finale...although it may not be for who you think!
January 8, 2023
A thoroughly enjoyable read! Very true to what Jane Austen began - and sadly couldn't finish. The move from Jane Austen's beginning to the rest of the story was seamless and it was fun to see what she added to the start. I loved the little nods to the TV series (a treat for those of us who are obsessed!) as well as to other Jane Austen books, while at the same time providing us with a completely new and entertaining story.
January 7, 2023
Really enjoyed this one! Servitova did a nice job of imitating Austen's writing style.
May 10, 2023
Really enjoyed this continuation of the original fragment, just the right blend of themes in keeping with Jane Austen, I would love to see it adapted on screen one day
October 20, 2023
I loved this re read.
Sidney is so lovely, the telescope scene aww my heart.
Hoping for a dramatisation at some time.
What a lovely treat for a dreary time of year.
Sidney is so lovely, the telescope scene aww my heart.
Hoping for a dramatisation at some time.
What a lovely treat for a dreary time of year.
October 29, 2022
Ahhh, this just won me over… I think Rev Hanking is my favourite 🙂
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews