Sanditon, by Jane Austen and another lady

The recent unsatisfactory TV adaptation of Austen’s unfinished final novel prompted a reread. It was left unfinished when she died in 1817, but a version was completed by Marie Dobbs in 1975. Austen had written 11 chapters, which was sufficient to introduce all the important characters and establish how the story was likely to proceed. This made the task relatively easy for Dobbs, having been provided with the essential building blocks. Sensible Charlotte Heyward visits the emerging seaside town of Sanditon, where she has the opportunity to observe a very interesting set of characters, including several eligible bachelors. Dobbs lacks Austen’s sardonic humour but she makes a good fist of finishing the tale, treating the characters with affection and providing a satisfying outcome. This is in marked contrast to the TV series, where the writers have introduced a plethora of new characters and sordid storylines, along with an inconclusive ending. This was seemingly to allow further series, although it is difficult to imagine they will be worth watching.