SANDITON Jane Austen's Unfinished Novel

Jane Austen (b UK 1775-1817) is renown writer for depicting the the strict modicum of social behavior and hierarchy.  Her beloved legacy of novels depict marriage as the only savior for securing their well being lest they be pitied.  The options granted women around the turn of the 19th C proffered few options other than manual servitude or marital servitude.  For the wealthy there's ample leisure time as to cause one distress seeking amusement.  SANDITON was Austen's 7th novel which remained unfinished.  She began writing Jan. '1817. She put it aside in March due to illness & died a few months later. SANDITON consisting of 11 chapters was bequeathed to her niece. It's plot aligns with the others: a young heroine of poor means but plenty of fortitude & common sense who captures the heart of a wealthy gentlemen & is rescued from a life of poverty & spinsterhood.  Still, all Austen's novels are enduring for their captivating heroine and quick-witted banter.  Kate Riordan (b UK) is a contemporary journalist & writer of historic fiction.  Riordan collaborated (nearly 200 years posthumously) with Austen to complete her final & unfinished work SANDITON.  There's no enigma  how the novel's rural heroine Charlotte will fare.  Charlotte has the happy ending with the haughty but beguiling Sidney; a gentleman of wealth, fine countenance, pleasing voice & an abundance of conversation.  Charlotte's traits mirror Austen's previous heroines of fortitude with a penchant for voyeuristic observations used for amusement and her advantage.  Charlotte maintains concern for  propriety while assessing the character beneath the facade of other's.  There's a self-important, persnickety grande Lady whose wealth bestows with self-grandeur & sycophant admirers hoping to gain favors.  Austen fans won't be disappointed.  However, those believing her writing sacrosanct should refrain from putting their snotty noses into SANDITON.  Still, members of the Jane Austen society may share my criticism of Riordan's adaptation.  Riordan's addition of 3 characters convolutes the plot and dilutes its authenticity.  Riordan believes readers of Austen flock "seeking to escape the shady values & cheap garishness of our own age; returning to JA's novels to catch a glimpse of life in what appears to be far more leisured times."  I enjoy the absurdity of such limited activities & bemoan the sole goal of women to marry men of greater means.  Riordan apologizes "for {her} deficiencies in the 7th" which include artistic license with dialogue.  Sidney wouldn't admonish Charlotte "her instinctive guidance of the heart."  I suggest reading SANDITON: Jane Austen's Last Novel Completed."  I urge viewers to watch PBS's SANDITON adapted by BAFTA winning writer Andrew Davies and escape into the lush & antiquated time that is gone with the wind.

Irish Author Sally Rooney's Novel CONVERSATION with FRIENDS

Sally Rooney's (b. Ireland 1991) debut novel CONVERSATIONS with FRIENDS ('17) is a shrewd, psychological assessment of power struggles amongst sophisticated, intellectuals.  The contemporary novel set in Dublin is apprised by Francis, a college co-ed whose passions include poetry, writing and defiant repartee.  Francis' compulsions include her roommate Bobbi, her steadfast friend & former lesbian lover and her attachment to Nick, an older, handsome married man.  Rooney's follow-up novel NORMAL PEOPLE ('18) garnered critical acclaim.  NORMAL PEOPLE was listed for the Man Booker Award and named Ireland's Novel of the Year (18).  The overriding similar meme is control; maintaining the upper hand within a relationship.  Both Francis & Bobbi are intellectuals whose sport is sparring loquaciously & precociously amongst friends.  Francis is from an impoverished home with an alcoholic father.  Bobbi's hales from a posh, wealthy household.  The balance of power often shifts with affluence and shaped by sexual dominance.  Francis, an inspiring poet/writer sells a story whose heroine mirrors both herself & Bobbi. Francis admits "No one who knew us could fail to see Bobbi in the story....It emphasized the domineering aspect of Bobbi's personality and of my own, because the story was about personal domination."  This synopsis by Francis of the story written within the story is essentially the ballistic dynamics between the two women & Francis' oscillating power struggles with others & within herself.  Much of the dialogue & construed relationships are caustic & cryptic.  Other times, Francis leaves no doubt her desire for sovereignty over Nick.  She tells Nick "I would miss dominating you in conversation."  Francis craves the adrenaline of Nick's abject affection, "He really wanted to be kissed, and I felt a rush of my own power over him."  Melissa, Nick's wife, interprets her husband's "pathologically submissive" behaviors.  Melissa confronts Francis about the affair & tells her "He {Nick} told me he thought helplessness was often a way of exercising power."  Nick seems the most submissive & at times appears most sensible.  Francis felt in "complete control" over Nick.  Yet, she admits "He thought it was healthy for us to try and correct the power disparity, though he didn't think we would ever be able to do it completely."  Conversations spiral in spurts with alacrity.  Rooney's clever writing enlivens the credo there's always 1 person in a relationship who loves more, cares more, gets hurt more & forgives more.  Rooney's illuminating work shades relationships with nuance and apoplectic energy.

French Author Pujol's LITTLE CULINARY TRIUMPHS

The debut novel from French author Pascale Pujol LITTLE CULINARY TRIUMPHS is a disaster. It's a fallen soufflé', a burnt beyond recognition duck - basically it sucks, and not in a succulent fashion rather it's déclassé'.  I admit I chose not to finish this pastiche novel of sex, food, irreverence - all essential ingredients - but the execution was a dismal dish that was sorely amiss.  There were too many characters in l'cuisine which made it convoluted especially since none of them were of particular interest.  This would include the resigned Sandrine, ambiguous Antoine, sinewy Toussaint and chef extraordinary Vairam; frankly I couldn't give a damn.  Perhaps Pascale Pujol will prosper after throwing out the top pancake and trying again.  Yet, there's no accounting for taste.  The French believe they have a sophisticated palette.  I am no Francophile.  I'll file this under the French's acquire taste for for Jerry Lewis and Marcel Marceau.  Voila! I find "Little Culinary Triumphs" underwhelming and less than come ci come ca.