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bookishmillennial's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
"To all the readers who think that Fanny Price deserved better."
First of all, any *purists* (also, ew. Do you not recognize how icky, pretentious, & elitist that sounds in this day & age?) should just go read the original. This is a reimagining, inspired by the original source material, and there are of course going to be creative departures. I truly cannot fathom being upset with any author for taking liberties with the plot or other elements of the original story, when that is the point of reimaginings and retellings. If you don't want the "integrity" of the story "messed with," go read the original. It is actually as simple as that lol.
Premise:
"To all the readers who think that Fanny Price deserved better."
First of all, any *purists* (also, ew. Do you not recognize how icky, pretentious, & elitist that sounds in this day & age?) should just go read the original. This is a reimagining, inspired by the original source material, and there are of course going to be creative departures. I truly cannot fathom being upset with any author for taking liberties with the plot or other elements of the original story, when that is the point of reimaginings and retellings. If you don't want the "integrity" of the story "messed with," go read the original. It is actually as simple as that lol.
Premise:
- historical murder mystery with a splash of romance // reimagining of Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
- 3rd book in this interconnected series of standalone retellings / murder mysteries
- third-person limited POV
- Aspiring artist Fanny Price is an unwelcome guest at her uncle Sir Thomas Bertram’s estate
- Fanny's family sent her to live with her uncle because of their socioeconomic situation, and with so many children, it was easier for her parents to know she'd be taken care of
- Her cousins Tom & Maria, along with her aunt Norris don't want her around, and then when her uncle falls and dies in his art emporium, Fanny realizes he was murdered!
- Fanny begins to investigate his alleged murder, all while still pining for her childhood-best-friend, Edmund, and this has now become an unrequited love situation
- Henry and Mary Crawford arrive at Mansfield Park with an audacious business proposal
- cameos from previous book legends, Lizzie Bennett, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Charlotte Lucas! <3
- cw: murder, sexism, classism, abandonment, emotional abuse, toxic relationship
Thoughts:
Mystery, art heists, and sapphic awakening, oh my!
Tirzah has great skill in paying homage to these timeless characters and capturing their essence, amidst changing storylines and even switching up romantic interests *oop*. I love the way I felt like I was reading a Jane Austen novel, yet I felt Tirzah's intrigue and mystique come through! Mansfield Park has never been my favorite JA so I actually prefer this reimagining. It's an absolute romp and I rooted hard for Fanny!
I especially loved the scene of meeting Fanny's family (mom, dad, siblings) when she goes to stay with them for a bit. This was helpful context to sympathize with why Fanny has put up with all she has at Mansfield Park for as long as she has. Tirzah tells us about why Fanny is a people-pleaser and seeks out acceptance and love, but she also showed us, especially in scenes like this. It was another layer of softness and a major factor of her growth that I really appreciated.
There is a quiet romance between Fanny & Mary, and in the author's note, Tirzah goes into the presence of queer folks in history, and how they have always been there. She obviously made creative decisions to make this more of a queer-normative world, which I take no issue with, as this is not a history textbook. Tirzah does what Jane Austen did with commenting on women's sexism and societal constraints of women during this time, but she also writes a happily ever after that includes stories like Fanny's arc of finally standing up for herself, and learning that confronting your not-so-fun feelings are necessary for growth.
If you haven't read books 1 & 2, I highly recommend it. They're such lovely cozy mysteries!
"I've never seen it like that -- there are relatives and there are family. As far as I'm concerned, family is about far more than blood and the bonds of marriage. I used to hope they'd see me, accept me as family, but they only see duty. They may be artistic but that doesn't mean I belong with them, or that they care about my wellbeing. I've always known their true feelings."
"When was the last time that someone had comforted Fanny when she cried?"
"For a moment in time, she had thought she and Maria and Julia could be friends. She knew they were different, of course. Her cousins wore pretty pastel dresses and ribbons in their hair. Their faces were never smudged. They curtsied properly and giggled whenever Fanny used the incorrect utensil at a meal. But growing up in a large family where her parents argued about money and the cost of everything was dear, had instilled in Fanny a deep desire to please, to make herself small and agreeable."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Classism, and Sexism
Moderate: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
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