COMING SOON TO MASTERPIECE: MISS AUSTEN – A MUST-WATCH FOR JANEITES

 

Dear Austen friends,

I’m absolutely delighted to bring you some news that I think will set every Janeite’s heart fluttering — Miss Austen, the long-awaited mini-series based on Gill Hornby’s best-selling novel, is finally arriving on your screens! Mark your calendars: this four-part drama premieres Sunday, May 4, 2025, at 9/8c on MASTERPIECE on PBS.

Long-time followers of My Jane Austen Book Club will remember when we first featured Miss Austen the novel, a beautifully imagined re-telling of the mystery behind why Cassandra Austen destroyed so many of Jane’s letters. You can read my original review here. I even had the joy of interviewing  Gill Hornby in 2022 when her equally enchanting Godmersham Park was released — you can find that interview here!

BACK TO THE SHORES OF SANDITON WITH A NEWLY RELEASED COLLECTION OF STORIES BY CAROLINE MALCOM BOULTON

The Shores of Sanditon: A Must-Read for All Jane Austen and Sanditon Fans

If you’re a fan of Jane Austen and the mesmerizing world of Sanditon, you won’t want to miss The Shores of Sanditon by Caroline Malcom Boulton, a newly published collection of 24 short stories that beautifully blend the timeless charm of Austen’s characters with the creative vision of modern storytellers. Released in 2024 through Amazon KDP, this book offers a unique glimpse into the lives of Charlotte Heywood, Alexander Colbourne and other beloved characters from the Sanditon television series, expanding their stories in ways that are sure to captivate your heart.

BOOK REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY - JANE AUSTEN & KATE RIORDAN, SANDITON

Jane Austen's Sanditon

When Jane Austen was chronically ill with a mysterious disease in early 1817, she turned her thoughts to a happier subject. She started working on a witty and delightful novel set in a seaside town, Sanditon.  She never finished it. She just left us 11 chapters, about 60 pages.

Sanditon tells the story of Tom Parker, who is obsessed with turning the sleepy seaside village of Sanditon into a fashionable health resort. He enlists the backing of local bigwig Lady Denham. Through a mishap, Tom makes the acquaintance of the Heywoods and invites their eldest daughter, Charlotte for an extended stay at Sanditon.

Meanwhile, Lady Denham, a widow, is playing matchmaker for her destitute nephew, Sir Edward, who is determined to seduce Lady Denham’s ward, Clara. The arrival of wealthy, mixed-race heiress Miss Lambe, under the protection of Tom’s upright brother Sidney, adds an interesting complication. Eligible men naturally find Miss Lambe fascinating, while Charlotte is intrigued by Sidney…

TALKING JANE AUSTEN AND SANDITON WITH AUTHOR KATE RIORDAN

Have you seen ITV Sanditon?  Have you rewatched it countless times on ITV Hub and started longing for series two? We have a cure for your withdrawal symptoms:  a novelisation of Andrew Davies' script, which will gratify your wish to discover  more about the characters and the story you love.

If you are you still watching it - in Australia or South Africa,  for instance - you maybe want to wait on to avoid spoilers or ... maybe not. 
If you are in the States, you must be patient because Sanditon is coming soon: it will premiere on PBS Masterpiece on 12 January  2020!

Kate Riordan is the brilliant historical fiction writer who accepted to work on Andrew Davies' (and Justin Young's!) script and to follow in Jane Austen's footsteps to tell the rest of the story.

Kate kindly accepted to answer a few questions and be my guest at My Jane Austen Book Club today and I want to thank her very much indeed for a great interview.  Read on!

THE WORLD OF SANDITON: INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR SARA SHERIDAN.

JANE AUSTEN’S SANDITON

When Jane Austen was chronically ill with a mysterious disease in early 1817, she turned her thoughts to a happier subject. She started work on a witty and delightful novel set in a seaside town, Sanditon.  She never finished it. She just left us 11 chapters, about 60 pages.

Sanditon tells the story of Tom Parker, who is obsessed with turning the sleepy seaside village of Sanditon into a fashionable health resort. He enlists the backing of local bigwig Lady Denham. Through a mishap, Tom makes the acquaintance of the Heywoods and invites their eldest daughter, Charlotte for an extended stay at Sanditon.