Books2Movies Club discussion

Who knew that we'll have an appendix to this project? We actually did one through our quick reads, Lady Susan. Movie gives wrong impression though - the title of the movie was derived from Jane Austen's early works but it was actually inspired by Lady Susan. You are free to add it to this project as well! (A note to myself too)

Now there is something new in the air - Sanditon (2019) - an adaptation of Sanditon, written by Andrew Davies, the big master himself, who adapted not only Jane Austen but also George Eliot, Anthony Trollope, Charles Dickens, E.M. Forster, and Elizabeth Gaskell, to our small screens. I think only first episode aired so far, but you can check the trailer before it arrives on your own TV too: Sanditon.

I am so excited! I know this is an unfinished novel - and I intend to read it again before watching this - but I believe Davies will do the best with the material provided, and offer us what Austen herself would have if her poor health allowed it.

What do you think? Would you like to watch it?

Alright, so I read this last night. These twelve chapters only managed to establish some main characters and the setting in which the story would've unfolded. Charlotte, our heroine, is as sharp observer as Jane herself was, but other than that, we do not know much about her. Other characters are more caricatures, I am sure Jane would have softened their portrayal if she had had time to finish the book. The only thing that really fascinated me, was an introduction of a mulatto heiress, the first and the only in her novels. Unfortunately, not even a glimpse of a love interest was seen. Maybe the man that came in the last chapter, Sydney Parker, would have been the one, or his friends that were announced to come. I have no idea how writers of the TV series managed to make anything of those few chapters, as no obvious story line was established. Did Jane leave anything behind, some notes about possible plot lines, or characters?

I intend to watch the TV series next week.

Ohh I haven't read it but I got the series to see it as soon as I can. Seems like there really wasn't much to go on from what was written.

Lorena wrote: "Ohh I haven't read it but I got the series to see it as soon as I can. Seems like there really wasn't much to go on from what was written."

I just finished the series. There were eight episodes, and... I am sorry, but I feel I must warn you all, it didn't end. At all. It was a great show, characters were interesting, the storylines interesting too, but if they do not intend to make a second season of it, what was the point?

There was also something else that was troubling, something that Jane Austen definitely wouldn't approve. She wasn't shy of shocking revelations (just remember Mansfield Park and an illicit affair Fanny Price discovered), but there wasn't ever anything explicit. Nor there was in any of her adaptations so far (or I missed something). This one, playing though with her unfinished work, was quite the opposite. I guess the writers wanted to appeal to the younger audience. (And I am not talking of nudity in the first episode. That was intended for laughs, and it wasn't really a big deal. But, yes, it was also something that could have been alluded to off-screen).

Charlotte's love interest was indeed Mr. Sydney Parker. However, in the first episodes he came out so abrasive and ungentlemanly, that I disliked him even when he was kind to Charlotte. That man definitely wasn't a person you would like to be with when he is ill-tempered. On the other hand, Mr. Stringer, a character that wasn't in the original novel, was a charming, smart, and unassuming local foreman, but the writers didn't give him a chance at all in the first season. Assuming there would a second one. It must be..?

Another thing I forgot to mention... In Jane Austen's novels some characters were annoying, boring, vulgar, snobbish, unpleasant, or simply dull, but they've never been... mean. In this show I would even say some were so outright... evil. So unlike Jane Austen. At times I wondered if the production team has ever read her novels at all.

Zeljka wrote: "Another thing I forgot to mention... In Jane Austen's novels some characters were annoying, boring, vulgar, snobbish, unpleasant, or simply dull, but they've never been... mean. In this show I woul..."

It is true. I think that the shows by Jim Fellowes like Belgravia and Downton Abbey have that in common. People aren't just mean, they have reasons to do what they do because they have wants or didn't see the results coming or stuff like that. Or they hate someone but because reasons, again.

I believe many series get one badly finished season because they all want that second season and don't know how to close a secondary arc while working on the big picture. It is so annoying! Many books operate under this same problem though. I absolutely hate it. Maybe that is why I liked Belgravia so much. First season finished and the arc ended with a little something to keep you hanging but nothing life or death. And yes, I just finished watching it so my mind is going that way a lot, sorry! :)

Lorena wrote: "I believe many series get one badly finished season because they all want that second season and don't know how to close a secondary arc while working on the big picture.."

So true. It would've been better if they somehow wrapped the story of the first season, and continued the show with the new arc, because after all, it can be all about Sanditon, not necessarily about these characters. At the moment there are no reports of making of the second season.

Is this a new show, Belgravia? It is not based on any book? Would you recommend it? I love historical drama :)

I did watch Downton Abbey for two (maybe three, I do not remember exactly) seasons, but grew tired of them. I watched mostly because of the love affair between Dan Stevens and Michelle Dockery, and when that was over, I simply lost interest over time. Could've watched, but just didn't care enough.

Precisely! It can be all about Sanditon.

This show, Belgravia, just aired. It only has one season so far and it is situated on a previous time in regards to Downton Abbey. Not at all related, meaning it is just a few years after Waterloo. I would really recommend it, it has that historically correct appeal with all the decorum and manners of the time, and the fashions oh my! The costumes are divine. It also has that quality of goodness in people, like I personally don't like to see anything with villains that are just plain silly evil. I like them justified and thinking themselves not righteous but at least a little bit right! Even if they are driven by all the wrong reasons and morals... lol

I am a huge fan of Downton Abbey, I even visited Highclere last year. My mouse pad is a picture of Highclere I got as a souvenir, so when I heard the same writer was behind Belgravia I just had to check it out.

Later seasons of Downton Abbey after Dan Stevens departure were kind of hard, but then a new guy appeared for Michelle and he just happens to be a favorite of my own (the same guy that plays the main vampire in A Discovery of witches: Mathew Goode), so I was kind of consoled. Still the first three season were the greatest!

I sincerely would recommend Belgravia to you. I didn't find anything I didn't like so far and the season turned out great, which is always a fearsome moment when the writers can ruin it all in favor of ratings or cliffhangers or whatnot. The characters are really interesting and very well defined and it is a world where good triumphs. Much needed today and in today's series too, I'm afraid.

Lorena wrote: "Precisely! It can be all about Sanditon.
This show, Belgravia, just aired. It only has one season so far and it is situated on a previous time in regards to Downton Abbey. Not at all related..."

Thanks, I will definitely check it out. Maybe I'll revisit Downton Abbey, start over and then continue with the new episodes. It's over, so I shouldn't worry if it'll end with the cliffhanger ;)

Good news (I saw only recently) - On 6 May 2021, PBS announced it'll renew the Sanditon series for a second and third season.

Theo James won't reappear as Sydney Parker, but Rose Williams as Charlotte Heywood will. I'd still like to watch it.

That's all so far - I do not know if they started filming the second season or not.