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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I found this one rather bland when I first read it in my twenties - now, ten years later, it was joy from start to finish.
I originally read this in paperback back in 2011 in which I gave it a 3 star rating. I think that is fair and accurate.
However I recently listened to it on audible, I have been trying to figure out how to add it as an edition to review that and I can't seem to figure it out so, and since hearing it I have updated my rating to 4 stars.
I think it is probably both depending on the season you are in. The audible book was pretty good, I have really enjoyed their renditions of Austen novels. The one I listened to was narrated by Frances Barber. The only downside is that there were moments where her voice shifts and would sound like one of the characters or as if the scene shifted or there was a chapter change when none of those things were happening. I think really it was due to editing and retakes, because then you hear how her voice goes back to what it should be.
Overall though, I am only reaffirmed in my belief that Jane Austen is a genius. I highly recommend the audio renditions of her novels. They enhance the narrative in a way I cannot explain.
However I recently listened to it on audible, I have been trying to figure out how to add it as an edition to review that and I can't seem to figure it out so, and since hearing it I have updated my rating to 4 stars.
I think it is probably both depending on the season you are in. The audible book was pretty good, I have really enjoyed their renditions of Austen novels. The one I listened to was narrated by Frances Barber. The only downside is that there were moments where her voice shifts and would sound like one of the characters or as if the scene shifted or there was a chapter change when none of those things were happening. I think really it was due to editing and retakes, because then you hear how her voice goes back to what it should be.
Overall though, I am only reaffirmed in my belief that Jane Austen is a genius. I highly recommend the audio renditions of her novels. They enhance the narrative in a way I cannot explain.
Fanny Price might be a complete goody two shoes but Jane Austen still makes us invested in all the characters.
Ugh, this book. I usually thoroughly enjoy Austen books, but this book felt like a chore. I would probably attribute this to the fact that I didn't care for a single one of the characters. Some of them had a hint of promise, but that quickly fizzled out the more I learned of them. I'm assuming Fanny is supposed to be the one character with whom you're supposed to feel a connection, but she mostly just annoyed the hell out of me. Use your words, Fanny!
I know, I know. You're probably saying right now, "Um, Kerri? It was a different time! Women were more valued if they didn't speak their mind!" Ok, I'll give you that. Buuuuut, Austen has written female characters that went against that standard and still weren't terrible people, so I know she has the capability.
I don't know. It was enjoyable in it's way, but I can see why I was warned that this would be my least favorite. That is most definitely true.
I know, I know. You're probably saying right now, "Um, Kerri? It was a different time! Women were more valued if they didn't speak their mind!" Ok, I'll give you that. Buuuuut, Austen has written female characters that went against that standard and still weren't terrible people, so I know she has the capability.
I don't know. It was enjoyable in it's way, but I can see why I was warned that this would be my least favorite. That is most definitely true.
3.5 stars!
Mansfield Park was my 2nd read in the Reread All Austen Extravaganza of 2016 and going in, I couldn't remember a single thing about the plot. All I could remember was how it holds the infamous title of Most Unpopular Novel among the Janites, and how Fanny is considered a lame, insipid heroine. Maybe it was because I went in cold, not expecting anything grand, that I actually ended up somewhat enjoying it. It was no Emma, but it still had all the trademark humour and social wit of all Austen novels.
I understand how Fanny, especially when compared to the sparkling personalities of women like Lizzie and Emma, can come across as boring and pious. To avoid being annoyed by her, I made the conscious decision to read her character as simply shy and introverted instead. Being shy or introverted does not make a woman weak - Fanny is in fact, just as strong as any Austen heroine, she just chooses not to be loud about it.
I removed a few stars because MP was just a bit too long winded for me. The characters were all amazing - I loved the Crawfords, silly Maria and Julia, even Aunt Norris - they were all so well drawn. The plot was too convoluted in parts, the games bewteen the characters took a bit too long to play out and it was a tad frustrating.
Mansfield Park was my 2nd read in the Reread All Austen Extravaganza of 2016 and going in, I couldn't remember a single thing about the plot. All I could remember was how it holds the infamous title of Most Unpopular Novel among the Janites, and how Fanny is considered a lame, insipid heroine. Maybe it was because I went in cold, not expecting anything grand, that I actually ended up somewhat enjoying it. It was no Emma, but it still had all the trademark humour and social wit of all Austen novels.
I understand how Fanny, especially when compared to the sparkling personalities of women like Lizzie and Emma, can come across as boring and pious. To avoid being annoyed by her, I made the conscious decision to read her character as simply shy and introverted instead. Being shy or introverted does not make a woman weak - Fanny is in fact, just as strong as any Austen heroine, she just chooses not to be loud about it.
I removed a few stars because MP was just a bit too long winded for me. The characters were all amazing - I loved the Crawfords, silly Maria and Julia, even Aunt Norris - they were all so well drawn. The plot was too convoluted in parts, the games bewteen the characters took a bit too long to play out and it was a tad frustrating.
I didn't like Fanny Price and it is a bit tough to stick to a book where you don't like the heroine at all but I did it!
I have to apologize to Emma, because THIS is actually the most intensely uncomfortable Austen.
The problem here is that there is no one likable in this whole story besides Fanny's brother, who is a tertiary character at best.
Edmund is a numbskull. Sure he's nice, but he's so arrogant without at any point really justifying his self-opinion. Miss Crawford is a big yikes. Mr. Crawford is an even bigger yikes and also confusingly portrayed. Everyone else is one-dimensional and annoying.
Fanny? Potentially the worst of them all.
It's hard to say, really, because there is nothing wrong with Fanny. She's right and kind and good almost all of the time. But her extreme shyness, biddableness, and inability to stand up for anything ever under any circumstances almost render her good qualities moot.
When she goes to visit her family is an especially uncomfortable part of the story. She's SO hideously uncomfortable because of how dirty, unorganized, and uncouth everything is. But she just sits in the parlor and shrinks into uncomfortableness? Like, clean a dish! Wipe down a table, if you think it's so gross!
If she were just selfless and a bit of a pushover that would be one thing, but it almost seems like she is incapable of taking ANY self-driven action. At a certain point my pity and sympathy evolved into irritation and near-contempt.
Finally, the whole story of the book is basically the not-romance of Edmund and Miss Crawford. When it at last ends for good, so does the book. Everything else, which is actually the part of the story I want to see (Edmund realizing Fanny's true value, mending his ways, becoming more humble, Fanny growing into a woman willing to take up her own space) happens in a throwaway epilogue of a couple paragraphs.
Come on, Jane.
TL;DR, this is definitely not my favorite.
The problem here is that there is no one likable in this whole story besides Fanny's brother, who is a tertiary character at best.
Edmund is a numbskull. Sure he's nice, but he's so arrogant without at any point really justifying his self-opinion. Miss Crawford is a big yikes. Mr. Crawford is an even bigger yikes and also confusingly portrayed. Everyone else is one-dimensional and annoying.
Fanny? Potentially the worst of them all.
It's hard to say, really, because there is nothing wrong with Fanny. She's right and kind and good almost all of the time. But her extreme shyness, biddableness, and inability to stand up for anything ever under any circumstances almost render her good qualities moot.
When she goes to visit her family is an especially uncomfortable part of the story. She's SO hideously uncomfortable because of how dirty, unorganized, and uncouth everything is. But she just sits in the parlor and shrinks into uncomfortableness? Like, clean a dish! Wipe down a table, if you think it's so gross!
If she were just selfless and a bit of a pushover that would be one thing, but it almost seems like she is incapable of taking ANY self-driven action. At a certain point my pity and sympathy evolved into irritation and near-contempt.
Finally, the whole story of the book is basically the not-romance of Edmund and Miss Crawford. When it at last ends for good, so does the book. Everything else, which is actually the part of the story I want to see (Edmund realizing Fanny's true value, mending his ways, becoming more humble, Fanny growing into a woman willing to take up her own space) happens in a throwaway epilogue of a couple paragraphs.
Come on, Jane.
TL;DR, this is definitely not my favorite.
i love jane austen, and this has all the antics and cruel aunts and social commentary of her other works, but that's the only thing saving it from being a 1 star kinda book. unlike the other austen treasures, this book just doesn't feel relevant. it is very aged and the protagonist is boooooring and her desired romance is NOT romantic. if mary crawford were made out to be the true protagonist, this book would still be fresh.
Mansfield Park mag für die ersten 20 Seiten gewöhnungsbedürftig sein, doch wenn dir Stolz & Vorurteil - ob Buch oder Verfilmung - nur im geringsten gefallen hat, dann empfehle ich euch, versucht euch an ihren anderen Romane und wenn ihr es bloß kurz ausprobiert. Jane Austen ist nach diesen höchstens 20 Seiten sehr gut zu lesen und wirklich gut verständlich. Ich habe bisher Stolz & Vorurteil auf deutsch und englisch gelesen und Mansfield Park auf deutsch. Das englische Original ist doch nochmal etwas anspruchsvoller und ich musste mich auch konzentrieren, also kann ich euch raten, fangt klein an und holt euch eine deutsche Ausgabe. Mir persönlich gefallen die neuen vom dtv Verlag am meisten. Es gibt aber auch genug andere wunderschöne Ausgaben, schon allein deshalb lohnt es sich fast, die Bücher zu besitzen und zu lesen.
Paradox Fanny Price: Gehasste Protagonistin & Austens Lieblingsfigur
In dem Film "The Jane Austen Book Club" sagt eine der Frauen: Angeblich soll Fanny ja Austens Lieblingsfigur gewesen sein. Natürlich diskutieren alle Teilnehmerinnen darüber, wieso denn ausgerechnet Fanny Price, die unbeliebteste Jane Austen-Protagonistin aller Zeiten (!), der Liebling gewesen sein soll.
Ob dies nun stimmt oder nicht, Austen hat mit Miss Price ihrem Roman eine Hauptfigur beschert, die anders als Lizzy Bennet ist. Mansfield Park hat die Autorin kurz nach der Beendigung von Stolz & Vorurteil begonnen. Vielleicht ist Fanny also die Idee des Kontrastes zu Lizzy. Sie ist wohl das frommste Mädchen, von dem ich seit langem gelesen habe. Sie hat großen Respekt und noch größere Angst vor ihrem Onkel Sir Thomas, der ihr großzügig erlaubt hat mit seiner reichen Familie auf seinem reichen Grundstück zu leben, statt in Missständen und Armut in ihrer eigenen Familie zu bleiben. Sie scheut vor ihren zwei ach so wunderbaren Cousinen, die sie wie Dreck behandeln. Und sie ist oft sehr viel mehr Hausmädchen als Verwandte. Fanny ist brav und glaubt stark an die Klassengesellschaft, in der sie lebt und eine der niedrigsten Positionen einnimmt. Sie folgt strikt den Werten dieser Gesellschaft, hat Achtung vor den Privilegierteren - meint sogar, sie ist zu Recht weniger geschätzt, weniger Mensch. Außerdem handelt Fanny jederzeit so, wie man es von ihr erwartet und wenn sie einmal nicht der Etikette entspricht, dann macht sie sich selbst am meisten ein schlechtes Gewissen.
Wie das überhaupt möglich ist, dass Fanny Price sich so sehr unter Wert verkauft und sich nicht auflehnt, ist dem Leser bis zum Schluss ein Rätsel. Sie liebt ihren Cousin Edmund schon lange, hat nie etwas angedeutet und selbst als Mary Crawford, ein lebendiges Mädchen aus der Stadt, dem Edmund fast sofort verfällt, in Mansfield Park erscheint, hält sie still. Lieber sieht sie zu, wie beide Figuren sich verlieben, während es Fanny fast das Herz zerreißt. Diesen Schmerz auszuhalten als Leser kann eine Qual sein. Weshalb kann sie nicht einfach mal sagen, was sie selbst will? Warum lässt sie sich so behandeln? Wie kann sie brav - kann sie ruhig bleiben, während alle um Fanny herum sie beleidigen?
Die ganze Rezi hab ich dann auf Bookleyish weiter geschrieben: http://book-and-shoppaholics.blogspot.de/
Paradox Fanny Price: Gehasste Protagonistin & Austens Lieblingsfigur
In dem Film "The Jane Austen Book Club" sagt eine der Frauen: Angeblich soll Fanny ja Austens Lieblingsfigur gewesen sein. Natürlich diskutieren alle Teilnehmerinnen darüber, wieso denn ausgerechnet Fanny Price, die unbeliebteste Jane Austen-Protagonistin aller Zeiten (!), der Liebling gewesen sein soll.
Ob dies nun stimmt oder nicht, Austen hat mit Miss Price ihrem Roman eine Hauptfigur beschert, die anders als Lizzy Bennet ist. Mansfield Park hat die Autorin kurz nach der Beendigung von Stolz & Vorurteil begonnen. Vielleicht ist Fanny also die Idee des Kontrastes zu Lizzy. Sie ist wohl das frommste Mädchen, von dem ich seit langem gelesen habe. Sie hat großen Respekt und noch größere Angst vor ihrem Onkel Sir Thomas, der ihr großzügig erlaubt hat mit seiner reichen Familie auf seinem reichen Grundstück zu leben, statt in Missständen und Armut in ihrer eigenen Familie zu bleiben. Sie scheut vor ihren zwei ach so wunderbaren Cousinen, die sie wie Dreck behandeln. Und sie ist oft sehr viel mehr Hausmädchen als Verwandte. Fanny ist brav und glaubt stark an die Klassengesellschaft, in der sie lebt und eine der niedrigsten Positionen einnimmt. Sie folgt strikt den Werten dieser Gesellschaft, hat Achtung vor den Privilegierteren - meint sogar, sie ist zu Recht weniger geschätzt, weniger Mensch. Außerdem handelt Fanny jederzeit so, wie man es von ihr erwartet und wenn sie einmal nicht der Etikette entspricht, dann macht sie sich selbst am meisten ein schlechtes Gewissen.
Wie das überhaupt möglich ist, dass Fanny Price sich so sehr unter Wert verkauft und sich nicht auflehnt, ist dem Leser bis zum Schluss ein Rätsel. Sie liebt ihren Cousin Edmund schon lange, hat nie etwas angedeutet und selbst als Mary Crawford, ein lebendiges Mädchen aus der Stadt, dem Edmund fast sofort verfällt, in Mansfield Park erscheint, hält sie still. Lieber sieht sie zu, wie beide Figuren sich verlieben, während es Fanny fast das Herz zerreißt. Diesen Schmerz auszuhalten als Leser kann eine Qual sein. Weshalb kann sie nicht einfach mal sagen, was sie selbst will? Warum lässt sie sich so behandeln? Wie kann sie brav - kann sie ruhig bleiben, während alle um Fanny herum sie beleidigen?
Die ganze Rezi hab ich dann auf Bookleyish weiter geschrieben: http://book-and-shoppaholics.blogspot.de/
I did like this book, but I really disliked Fanny Price; though it would appear that disliking her puts me in the majority of readers. I thought she was a prig and I got so tired of her judgement and self righteousness. Still, I thought this was a good read, although for me at least, there are better Austen novels.