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The World of Sanditon: The Official Companion
An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Jane Austen's Sanditon television series. Sanditon, the final novel Austen was working on before her death, has been given an exciting conclusion, and will be brought to a primetime television audience on PBS/Masterpiece for the very first time by Emmy and BAFTA Award winning screenwriter Andrew Davies (War & Peace, Mr. Selfridge, Les Misérables, Pride and Prejudice). This, the official companion to the Masterpiece series, contains everything a fan could want to know. It explores the world Austen created, along with fascinating insights about the period and the real-life heartbreak behind her final story. And it offers location guides, behind the scenes details, and interviews with the cast, alongside beautiful illustrations and set photography.
- GenresNonfictionHistoryRegency
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2019
17 people are currently reading
1313 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Davies
168 books28 followersAndrew Wynford Davies is a British author and screenwriter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 12, 2020
I Wish Books Like This Existed for All Jane Austen Adaptations!
OVERVIEW:
The World of Sanditon is an elegant and informative companion to the recently-aired eight part Sanditon miniseries. This coffee-table sized book consists of 320 pages and is divided into six chapters. Each chapter ranges between 34 – 66 pages in length. The text in these chapters canvas details about Jane Austen, Regency life, the seaside, and Sanditon, both the series and the unfinished manuscript. Throughout the collection there are: character spotlights, interviews with 10 cast members, several behind-the-scenes write-ups, informative descriptions about Regency life, and an abundance of stunning and lush visuals presented with style and taste.
MY THOUGHTS:
Having read and loved similar companion novels to the Downton Abbey mini-series, I am so happy to see a Jane Austen mini-series receive the same treatment! I was greatly impressed with this thorough and encompassing companion novel. Not only does it provide lots of details about the production, the scenes, and the experiences of adapting Jane Austen’s novel, it also enhances the readers’ understanding of the culture, customs, and inhabitants of this time period. I loved the aesthetic appeal of this collection and all the sumptuous photos, sketches, works of art featured. Nearly every page had a new visual to admire, and the images selected and the formatting of the book in general was attractive and very fitting.
But what I loved even more than the behind-the-scenes pictures and write-ups was that this companion novel gave a broader and more insightful analysis of the seaside and Regency life during this time period. New information about Regency women and health practices were particularly fascinating to me – I loved learning about the famous Princess Caraboo, the amazing story of Dr. James Miranda Barry, and the beginning practices of vaccination – I had no idea about that word’s origins! I greatly appreciate the detailed research and edifying information presented in this collection!
CONCLUSION:
The World of Sanditon is a gorgeous and informative volume! This book is not only a perfect gift to fans of ITV/PBS Sanditon miniseries, but an excellent guide to understanding Jane Austen’s Sanditon and Regency England in 1819. I think most Jane Austen fans and period drama enthusiasts will echo my wish for more books of this scope and caliber to be written for the other exquisite Jane Austen film adaptations!
Austenesque Reviews
OVERVIEW:
The World of Sanditon is an elegant and informative companion to the recently-aired eight part Sanditon miniseries. This coffee-table sized book consists of 320 pages and is divided into six chapters. Each chapter ranges between 34 – 66 pages in length. The text in these chapters canvas details about Jane Austen, Regency life, the seaside, and Sanditon, both the series and the unfinished manuscript. Throughout the collection there are: character spotlights, interviews with 10 cast members, several behind-the-scenes write-ups, informative descriptions about Regency life, and an abundance of stunning and lush visuals presented with style and taste.
MY THOUGHTS:
Having read and loved similar companion novels to the Downton Abbey mini-series, I am so happy to see a Jane Austen mini-series receive the same treatment! I was greatly impressed with this thorough and encompassing companion novel. Not only does it provide lots of details about the production, the scenes, and the experiences of adapting Jane Austen’s novel, it also enhances the readers’ understanding of the culture, customs, and inhabitants of this time period. I loved the aesthetic appeal of this collection and all the sumptuous photos, sketches, works of art featured. Nearly every page had a new visual to admire, and the images selected and the formatting of the book in general was attractive and very fitting.
But what I loved even more than the behind-the-scenes pictures and write-ups was that this companion novel gave a broader and more insightful analysis of the seaside and Regency life during this time period. New information about Regency women and health practices were particularly fascinating to me – I loved learning about the famous Princess Caraboo, the amazing story of Dr. James Miranda Barry, and the beginning practices of vaccination – I had no idea about that word’s origins! I greatly appreciate the detailed research and edifying information presented in this collection!
CONCLUSION:
The World of Sanditon is a gorgeous and informative volume! This book is not only a perfect gift to fans of ITV/PBS Sanditon miniseries, but an excellent guide to understanding Jane Austen’s Sanditon and Regency England in 1819. I think most Jane Austen fans and period drama enthusiasts will echo my wish for more books of this scope and caliber to be written for the other exquisite Jane Austen film adaptations!
Austenesque Reviews
May 4, 2020
This is a beautiful book and I loved it!
It gives you all the inside info on the making of the series and interviews with the cast which was interesting but it gives so much more. Lots of info on the Regency period and gorgeous pictures.
If anyone would like to know a bit more about this time period but doesn't want to read a history book then I would recommend this.
Austen fans will love it.
It gives you all the inside info on the making of the series and interviews with the cast which was interesting but it gives so much more. Lots of info on the Regency period and gorgeous pictures.
If anyone would like to know a bit more about this time period but doesn't want to read a history book then I would recommend this.
Austen fans will love it.
February 4, 2020
Welcome to Sanditon, an 1819 Regency seaside community in Sussex England—the fictional site of the new ITV/PBS television adaptation/continuation of Jane Austen’s final unfinished novel.
For those who are watching the eight-part series currently airing in the US on PBS, The World of Sanditon, by Sara Sheridan will be catnip to heighten your addiction. A copiously illustrated behind the scenes look at the making of the new television series, it also is filled with a biography of Jane Austen, historical information on the era, seaside life and health resorts, and Regency life for women.
In addition, there are spotlights on the characters and interviews with the actors who brought them to the screen.
This lovely coffee table-sized book is a great addition to the TV series. I particularly enjoyed the historical context and actor interviews.
For those who are watching the eight-part series currently airing in the US on PBS, The World of Sanditon, by Sara Sheridan will be catnip to heighten your addiction. A copiously illustrated behind the scenes look at the making of the new television series, it also is filled with a biography of Jane Austen, historical information on the era, seaside life and health resorts, and Regency life for women.
In addition, there are spotlights on the characters and interviews with the actors who brought them to the screen.
This lovely coffee table-sized book is a great addition to the TV series. I particularly enjoyed the historical context and actor interviews.
February 21, 2021
A beautiful book with interesting information about Jane Austen and the Regency era. It's not a book I would keep on my bookshelves being more of a coffee table book, but getting from the library and slowly reading the articles in it was very pleasurable. I have read Sanditon so I now hope to see the video.
October 30, 2019
The Official Companion to the TV series is first of all a gorgeous book I fell in love with as soon as I unwrapped it on its arrival. I couldn't keep my eyes off its stylished cover, precious paper, wonderful photos. At a following more careful look, once I started leafing through the pages and reading, I realized the treasure I had in my hands: Sara Sheridan did a thorough, awesome job researching the historical, social and cultural context of Austen's Sanditon.
The guide to the TV series is actually a guide to the Regency Era and so many of its fascinating aspects! You'll discover about men and women fashion, balls and married life, racy Georgians and gossip, debts and debtors' prisons, medicine and seaside holidays, Austen and other writers of the same age, but you'll also get a chance to have a look behind the scenes and read the cast interviews, as well.
You'll find out whether Rose Williams (Charlotte Heywood) blushed or was embarassed while filming a certain scene with Theo James (Sidney Parker), what Kris Marshall (Tom Parker) thinks of Bath - which happens to be one of Austen's settings and his own native town - or what Theo James (Sidney Parker) appreciates of wearing Regency clothing, as well as the arts and crafts behind iconic scenes like the cricket match or the regatta.
Will the companion book spoil the pleasure of watching the series if you haven't yet? I don't think so, or better, I'm sure it won't. It'll provide you with the needed background knowledge, which you may use to enjoy it fully. There are no spoilers about the plot nor important twists revealed.
If you have already seen and liked the series, the book will be your companion on memory lane and will help you relive the excitement of discovering Sanditon and its unforgettable characters for the first time.
If you are a fan, well, it must be included in your Sanditon collection, no doubt!
(see my review online included in this post http://thesecretunderstandingofthehea...)
The guide to the TV series is actually a guide to the Regency Era and so many of its fascinating aspects! You'll discover about men and women fashion, balls and married life, racy Georgians and gossip, debts and debtors' prisons, medicine and seaside holidays, Austen and other writers of the same age, but you'll also get a chance to have a look behind the scenes and read the cast interviews, as well.
You'll find out whether Rose Williams (Charlotte Heywood) blushed or was embarassed while filming a certain scene with Theo James (Sidney Parker), what Kris Marshall (Tom Parker) thinks of Bath - which happens to be one of Austen's settings and his own native town - or what Theo James (Sidney Parker) appreciates of wearing Regency clothing, as well as the arts and crafts behind iconic scenes like the cricket match or the regatta.
Will the companion book spoil the pleasure of watching the series if you haven't yet? I don't think so, or better, I'm sure it won't. It'll provide you with the needed background knowledge, which you may use to enjoy it fully. There are no spoilers about the plot nor important twists revealed.
If you have already seen and liked the series, the book will be your companion on memory lane and will help you relive the excitement of discovering Sanditon and its unforgettable characters for the first time.
If you are a fan, well, it must be included in your Sanditon collection, no doubt!
(see my review online included in this post http://thesecretunderstandingofthehea...)
July 16, 2022
It was interesting to see all the behind the scenes info from the people who made the 8 part series come to life. As I have watched the TV series at least 4 times as it was SO good. The series was very historically accurate and the creators have added so many small details that make the whole thing come to life. The only reason I'm not giving it 5 stars is that there was lots of unnesscery information about random people during the regency era in this book.
March 9, 2020
I cannot say enough about this companion book to Jane Austen’s, Sanditon. If you watched the series on PBS, you probably were very disheartened about the ending. While a second season has not been promised, the fans are taking to social media to try and convince PBS to produce it. In the meantime, The World of Sanditon will immerse you into 19th century life and culture. It is crammed with interesting articles on gender expectations, chores, and social expectations during the Georgian era (1800-1840) and has some wonderful biographical information on Austen herself. I have provided the link to my book review below to learn more about this fantastic companion book to Sanditon. As always, no spoilers.
https://beebalmemporium.com/
https://beebalmemporium.com/
December 28, 2019
This book is less about Sanditon than it is Jane Austen and the regency period in general. As such, this is a great read for lovers of British history and the different facets of Regency society. There are BTS tidbits and plenty of photos from the series, but is relatively free of spoilers. I really enjoyed this series companion book!
Read
January 13, 2020Pushed myself to skim thru this. I'm still bitter about this show I'll accept no comments
May 9, 2020
https://openbooksociety.com/article/t...
The World of Sanditon: The Official Companion
By Andrew Davies, Sara Sheridan
ISBN: 9781538734711
Author Website: sarasheridan(.)com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
Summary:
An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Jane Austen’s Sanditon television series.
Sanditon, the final novel Austen was working on before her death, has been given an exciting conclusion, and will be brought to a primetime television audience on PBS/Masterpiece for the very first time by Emmy and BAFTA Award winning screenwriter Andrew Davies (War & Peace, Mr. Selfridge, Les Misérables, Pride and Prejudice).
This, the official companion to the Masterpiece series, contains everything a fan could want to know. It explores the world Austen created, along with fascinating insights about the period and the real-life heartbreak behind her final story. And it offers location guides, behind the scenes details, and interviews with the cast, alongside beautiful illustrations and set photography.
Review:
If reading Sanditon isn’t enough for Jane Austen fans, The World of Sanditon: The Official Companion contains information about Austen, her writing, her life, the creation of Sanditon the television series and so much more.
The companion has a biography of Jane Austen in which the reader learns about her life in the 1800s as the daughter of a reverend, her family, the way women were raised and what was expected of them, along with stories of the men she loved. Society and the dos and don’ts a lady should follow affected her life until her death and inspired her novels. Without the events that shaped her life, we wouldn’t have had Pride and Prejudice and all her beloved stories.
The book contains many behind the scenes pictures of the cast, locations, reference images of artifacts used for scenes, and one of my favorite elements of filming period shows, wardrobe! The companion has a detailed section about the type of dresses women of different social classes wore along with accessories. It’s always nice to see how in depth the crew behind a series or film takes special detail and care to have everything match the period they’re portraying.
The companion also includes several short biographies of women who in their time proved they could be more than what was expected of them. It’s interesting to learn fun facts throughout the book, such as the ones the actors share in their individual interviews. One of my favorite answers has to be Turlough Convery, the actor who plays Arthur Parker, when he mentions that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is his favorite Jane Austen novel.
Special mention is for the hardcover edition whose cover is a beautiful dark green with copper foil letters. It has a nice layout design along with great behind-the-scenes pictures and drawings. Its exterior resembles an 1800s book while its interior has interesting information about the series.
The companion complements the book well and lets the viewer in on details and elements that were of use to create the TV series. It has stories of the creators explaining their process and love for Austen which shows how special of a project this was for them.
If you’re a fan of Jane Austen I recommend you read the book, watch the series and then go behind the scenes with the companion.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
The World of Sanditon: The Official Companion
By Andrew Davies, Sara Sheridan
ISBN: 9781538734711
Author Website: sarasheridan(.)com
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Caro
Summary:
An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of Jane Austen’s Sanditon television series.
Sanditon, the final novel Austen was working on before her death, has been given an exciting conclusion, and will be brought to a primetime television audience on PBS/Masterpiece for the very first time by Emmy and BAFTA Award winning screenwriter Andrew Davies (War & Peace, Mr. Selfridge, Les Misérables, Pride and Prejudice).
This, the official companion to the Masterpiece series, contains everything a fan could want to know. It explores the world Austen created, along with fascinating insights about the period and the real-life heartbreak behind her final story. And it offers location guides, behind the scenes details, and interviews with the cast, alongside beautiful illustrations and set photography.
Review:
If reading Sanditon isn’t enough for Jane Austen fans, The World of Sanditon: The Official Companion contains information about Austen, her writing, her life, the creation of Sanditon the television series and so much more.
The companion has a biography of Jane Austen in which the reader learns about her life in the 1800s as the daughter of a reverend, her family, the way women were raised and what was expected of them, along with stories of the men she loved. Society and the dos and don’ts a lady should follow affected her life until her death and inspired her novels. Without the events that shaped her life, we wouldn’t have had Pride and Prejudice and all her beloved stories.
The book contains many behind the scenes pictures of the cast, locations, reference images of artifacts used for scenes, and one of my favorite elements of filming period shows, wardrobe! The companion has a detailed section about the type of dresses women of different social classes wore along with accessories. It’s always nice to see how in depth the crew behind a series or film takes special detail and care to have everything match the period they’re portraying.
The companion also includes several short biographies of women who in their time proved they could be more than what was expected of them. It’s interesting to learn fun facts throughout the book, such as the ones the actors share in their individual interviews. One of my favorite answers has to be Turlough Convery, the actor who plays Arthur Parker, when he mentions that Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is his favorite Jane Austen novel.
Special mention is for the hardcover edition whose cover is a beautiful dark green with copper foil letters. It has a nice layout design along with great behind-the-scenes pictures and drawings. Its exterior resembles an 1800s book while its interior has interesting information about the series.
The companion complements the book well and lets the viewer in on details and elements that were of use to create the TV series. It has stories of the creators explaining their process and love for Austen which shows how special of a project this was for them.
If you’re a fan of Jane Austen I recommend you read the book, watch the series and then go behind the scenes with the companion.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
February 28, 2020
The World of Sanditon by Sara Sheridan is a wonderful companion book to both the novel and the series. It contains beautiful pictures of the characters including my favorite, Sydney Parker (Theo James). The book is broken down into sections about Jane Austen, the Seaside, the story of Sanditon itself, life in the Regency era, and health. It contains fascinating information that can either be read in pieces or you can read the book as a whole. I’ve enjoyed picking it up and reading tidbits about different topics over time.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2020...
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2020...
May 7, 2021
I enjoyed the series, and this book gives a great deal of additional information about the Regency period, as well as Jene Austen's life. It also has beautiful photos of the stars, the sets and the seaside world of Sanditon. The story was a bit racier than Austen's other novels, probably because Andrew Davies, who adapted the unfinished novel for Masterpiece, was able to take it in his own direction. (One glaring typo: The Earl of Sussex, not "Sussez!") Otherwise, it's a lovely companion book.
January 12, 2023
Couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed this book as it worked through the behinds the scenes magic of Sanditon, whilst giving the reader an history lesson on the life and times of the great Jane Austen. I learnt a lot from this book, and enjoyed reading about the set design, costume design, and actors, in their own words. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoyed the television series and/or is an Austen fan, much like myself.
September 25, 2024
A companion to the PBS tv series "Sanditon," based on the unfinished Jane Austen. The book gives insight into the characters and the actors who play them. It also gives insight into what life was like in nineteenth century England, when the story takes place. Behind the scenes information on the tv show is shared. It includes numerous photos throughout. It is a fun read and well worth a read by any fan of the tv show or Jane Austen.
March 7, 2020
I won this from a Goodread's giveaway. "The World of Sanditon," is a lovely, beautiful book, focused on the ITV's miniseries of "Sanditon." For anyone interested in Jane Austen, her final fragmentary novel, the miniseries, or the 19th century - this is a must have. There were a couple of historical inaccuracies, but all in all, it's a wonderful book. Thank you, Goodreads!
February 17, 2020
A very pretty companion book to take you behind the scenes of the latest Austen TV adaptation, Sanditon. If you've seen any of the Downton Abbey companion books, this has the same format and style. (please give Sanditon an S2, thanks)
March 3, 2021
I'm a huge Masterpiece fan. This book just topped the the series off for me. I wish they would do this for all the Masterpiece series. The inside scoop about the Regency period, the clothes, the real people who lived it, and everything else just make my day. Thanks.
March 19, 2022
This is an excellent exploration of Sanditon and the outside world. My favorite parts were the photos and quotes from the show. I also enjoyed the interviews with the cast and crew. I would have appreciated more about the show itself and less background information.
May 23, 2022
Sanditon became a favorite show of mine this year! It was nice to learn more about Jane Austen and about her unfinished novel and about the regency period. I definitely would recommend if you are a fan of the show.
February 1, 2020
The ending was abrupt and could have gone in many directions. I am surprised it ended the way it did. Left me highly unsatisfied.
February 25, 2020
Beautiful book! Love all the illustrations and history.
March 29, 2020
The happenings behind the scenes of the series Sanditon with overviews of the main characters and the history of the age.
An interesting read with lots of illustrations
An interesting read with lots of illustrations
April 6, 2020
This is a very good book about Jane Austen and her books. If you are at all interested in this subject this is the book for you.
May 10, 2020
Beautiful book! Informative and enjoyable! Hoping for a Season 2 for the tv adaptation. Although it wasn’t pure Jane Austen, I loved the spin on characters....just not the ending!
April 2, 2021
A really lovely book. It doesn’t just cover the TV drama Sanditon but Jane Austen’s life and every aspect of Regency living. Wonderfully informative read.
March 15, 2022
Good Book
I really enjoyed season one on PBS, and reading this afterwards added perspective and the photos are beautiful. Highly recommend.
I really enjoyed season one on PBS, and reading this afterwards added perspective and the photos are beautiful. Highly recommend.
April 19, 2020
I won a copy of this book from Goodreads. I absolutely LOVE this book and will have it for years to come. Such a great book
August 26, 2021
#188
The Good
A. History is probably my favorite nonfiction genre to read. It feels good to read this after experimenting more with my nonfiction reading (more science, self-help reads).
B. There was a vast range of topics explored.
C. Learning about little known (at least to me) parts of history.
D. I like that there is art and pictures to go alongside the history.
E. I had the urge to dig deeper into history- it put in perspective I think what I want to look further into in my future nonfiction reads.
F. Seeing connections of other women (to Jane Austen) and people of the time period. History books can be very focused so I enjoyed the connecting history together.
G. I gained a level of respect and appreciation for Jane Austen I did not have before since I am not into Austen writing.
H. Cast & Crew- I got the sense that the creators and crew put a lot of thought/work into this show. I liked reading the interviews and getting to hear from different people in the cast and crew.
The Thoughts I Had
Henry (Jane Austen brother) is married to his (their) cousin-incest.
Comparing historical romance to historical fiction to period dramas – the limitations and strengths that happen with each one.
Sanditon is such a treasure especially thinking about other shows that came out recently.
I won this book in a giveaway from Grand Central Publishing on goodreads
The Good
A. History is probably my favorite nonfiction genre to read. It feels good to read this after experimenting more with my nonfiction reading (more science, self-help reads).
B. There was a vast range of topics explored.
C. Learning about little known (at least to me) parts of history.
D. I like that there is art and pictures to go alongside the history.
E. I had the urge to dig deeper into history- it put in perspective I think what I want to look further into in my future nonfiction reads.
F. Seeing connections of other women (to Jane Austen) and people of the time period. History books can be very focused so I enjoyed the connecting history together.
G. I gained a level of respect and appreciation for Jane Austen I did not have before since I am not into Austen writing.
H. Cast & Crew- I got the sense that the creators and crew put a lot of thought/work into this show. I liked reading the interviews and getting to hear from different people in the cast and crew.
The Thoughts I Had
Henry (Jane Austen brother) is married to his (their) cousin-incest.
Comparing historical romance to historical fiction to period dramas – the limitations and strengths that happen with each one.
Sanditon is such a treasure especially thinking about other shows that came out recently.
I won this book in a giveaway from Grand Central Publishing on goodreads
February 18, 2020
Summary:
The World of Sanditon is a companion piece to the PBS Masterpiece adaption of Jane Austen's Sanditon. The author of the tv adaption is Andrew Davies. The hardcover book is more than just the PBS adaption. It is a history of Jane Austen and the period she lived in. It is a history piece.
My Thoughts:
This is a splendid book. I devoured the book cover to cover.
The layout of the book is like a glossy paged magazine. Some of the photographs are full page or two page layout.
The first chapter is titled, "All About Jane." Illustrations included is a page from the manuscript of Persuasion. This chapter gives a glimpse at her writings and life.
The second chapter examines publishing during the Georgian period.
Further chapters have illustrations of her writing desk, a timeline of Austen's life, and an Austen family tree.
Additional chapters are the "History of the Seaside," "Regency Women," "Health", and life during the Regency era.
Scattered throughout the book are enticing interviews from the cast of Sanditon.
This is the kind of book enjoyed with a cup of tea. Enjoy.
Source: I received a complimentary hardcover copy from the publisher, but was not required to write a favorable review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews