Sanditon Author:Jane Austen, Marie Dobbs 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. "Another Lady" is actually Marie Dobbs, an Australian author who is published as Anne Telscombe. — Written in 1817... more » during the last six months of Austen's life, the fragment of SANDITON comprises the first eleven chapters and the beginning of chapter twelve in this continuation. The transition was very smooth, and great care had obviously been taken in choice of language and sentence structure to emulate her predecessor.
Set on the Sussex coast the emerging village of Sanditon has pretentions to be a posh sea-side resort. The two minions of the community, Mr. Parker an entrepreneurial landowner and his wealthy and parsimonious partner Lady Denham dominate its development and social life. The story unfolds from the perspective of Charlotte Heywood, a young lady visiting Mr. and Mrs. Parker.
Sanditon is also populated by a comical ensemble of residents and visitors who upon Charlotte's first acquaintance are altogether different than they later appear. Lady Denham's nephew Sir Edward Denham is handsome, amiable and titled but completely eccentric believing himself to a romantic character born to seduce women. He has designs upon Lady Denham's companion Clara Brereton, a poor relation who is maneuvering to be her heir and in direct competition with him for her favor. Also sharing the spotlight are Mr. Parker's four siblings, three of whom are sad invalids in there own minds. The one bright light of hope in the novel is Mr. Parker's witty and charming brother Sidney.« less