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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
Own.
I love Mansfield Park. It is my favorite Austen, which I know makes me an anomaly with those who cry at Fanny's "dullness" and "prudish perfections." Yet, I think Austen makes it clear that while Fanny has excellencies of character and mind, her reticence to put herself forward, her lack of speaking at appropriate times to protect herself or others makes her imperfect. Even at the end, Susan's speaking up and animated character makes her perhaps the better companion when compared with her sister.
I wanted to read Mansfield Park this time and particularly consider education and formation of taste. It seems to me that the whole book is taken with the idea of education, habit formation, and the actions of the characters which flows out of their thinking and habits.
So much of what Austen discusses here is adherence to some sort of external, objective standard or rule -- a rule that can be learned and become habit. Edmund directs Fanny's reading and by discussing it with her, directs her thoughts, emotions, habits, and mind. He teaches her what she "ought" through both his example and his words.
Her correct way of thinking and considering is tested by the play at Mansfield, the attack of Henry Crawford's love, and the visit home to Portsmouth. In each case, she is shown to be wise and observant. Her patient, steadfast demeanor protects her from acting against her morals. Her disinterested love for Edmund protects her from Henry's selfish love. Her proper way of thought brings pockets of calm even into the chaos that is her father's home.
This habitual way of living and thinking makes for a joyous, fruitful life and a beautiful establishment for Fanny.
2021 Audible Read:
Every time I start this book I think I couldn't love it any more and every time I come out of it thinking, wow! This was so much better than I remembered! And I love it more. Just wonderful.
This time I was thinking about acting. Not just acting in a play or how you act in front of others in place of your "real" self, but the actual force of doing things. I think Austen is pointing this out in many ways:
Her comparison of the three sisters: Lady Bertram - actionless; Mrs Norris - busy about minutia; Mrs Price - would prefer indolence but must do something, and out of necessity does it badly. Will Fanny be like any of these? Sir Thomas has standards and can act upon them, but his demeanor makes his ways unpalatable (am I a Sir Thomas?). Tom, Maria, and Julia all want to act, but have been so fenced in and not allowed to act that freedom opens them to license and all have disparate results based upon the lengths they go out of bounds.
I liked the Bertram parents more this time.
Fanny, simply, cannot act. She is both unable to express her will but, also, is without artifice. When she sits in the woods and all the other players are swirling busily about her, she is steady (and lonely). A major turning point for her maturity, I think, is when she is at Portsmouth and buys a silver knife for Betsy. She acts of her own will and volition to make things better. And she sees the benefit of right action. She learns when to wait and when to act.
I very much enjoyed listening to Wanda McCallum's narration of this book. So many things fitted in together better for me by hearing every word.
ETA: I liked Edmund quite a lot better this time, too. His motives and principles, like his father's, are good and right it's just the outworking, like his father's, cause him problems. He wasn't wrong to want to keep the acting within the family, it was his own getting embroiled that caused mischief. The attributes he attributed to Mary were good attributes, he just failed to see the misapplication (and who of us can claim that we're unmoved by a pretty face and right sounding words). But he managed the estate while father and brother were gone. He had good solutions for Fanny and mostly kept her in mind. He was elegant and respected in Town. He chose to be in the clergy for right reasons. He helped Fanny to fit into Mansfield and gave her books and ideas. Overall, poor Edmund gets a bad rap.
I love Mansfield Park. It is my favorite Austen, which I know makes me an anomaly with those who cry at Fanny's "dullness" and "prudish perfections." Yet, I think Austen makes it clear that while Fanny has excellencies of character and mind, her reticence to put herself forward, her lack of speaking at appropriate times to protect herself or others makes her imperfect. Even at the end, Susan's speaking up and animated character makes her perhaps the better companion when compared with her sister.
I wanted to read Mansfield Park this time and particularly consider education and formation of taste. It seems to me that the whole book is taken with the idea of education, habit formation, and the actions of the characters which flows out of their thinking and habits.
So much of what Austen discusses here is adherence to some sort of external, objective standard or rule -- a rule that can be learned and become habit. Edmund directs Fanny's reading and by discussing it with her, directs her thoughts, emotions, habits, and mind. He teaches her what she "ought" through both his example and his words.
Her correct way of thinking and considering is tested by the play at Mansfield, the attack of Henry Crawford's love, and the visit home to Portsmouth. In each case, she is shown to be wise and observant. Her patient, steadfast demeanor protects her from acting against her morals. Her disinterested love for Edmund protects her from Henry's selfish love. Her proper way of thought brings pockets of calm even into the chaos that is her father's home.
This habitual way of living and thinking makes for a joyous, fruitful life and a beautiful establishment for Fanny.
2021 Audible Read:
Every time I start this book I think I couldn't love it any more and every time I come out of it thinking, wow! This was so much better than I remembered! And I love it more. Just wonderful.
This time I was thinking about acting. Not just acting in a play or how you act in front of others in place of your "real" self, but the actual force of doing things. I think Austen is pointing this out in many ways:
Her comparison of the three sisters: Lady Bertram - actionless; Mrs Norris - busy about minutia; Mrs Price - would prefer indolence but must do something, and out of necessity does it badly. Will Fanny be like any of these? Sir Thomas has standards and can act upon them, but his demeanor makes his ways unpalatable (am I a Sir Thomas?). Tom, Maria, and Julia all want to act, but have been so fenced in and not allowed to act that freedom opens them to license and all have disparate results based upon the lengths they go out of bounds.
I liked the Bertram parents more this time.
Fanny, simply, cannot act. She is both unable to express her will but, also, is without artifice. When she sits in the woods and all the other players are swirling busily about her, she is steady (and lonely). A major turning point for her maturity, I think, is when she is at Portsmouth and buys a silver knife for Betsy. She acts of her own will and volition to make things better. And she sees the benefit of right action. She learns when to wait and when to act.
I very much enjoyed listening to Wanda McCallum's narration of this book. So many things fitted in together better for me by hearing every word.
ETA: I liked Edmund quite a lot better this time, too. His motives and principles, like his father's, are good and right it's just the outworking, like his father's, cause him problems. He wasn't wrong to want to keep the acting within the family, it was his own getting embroiled that caused mischief. The attributes he attributed to Mary were good attributes, he just failed to see the misapplication (and who of us can claim that we're unmoved by a pretty face and right sounding words). But he managed the estate while father and brother were gone. He had good solutions for Fanny and mostly kept her in mind. He was elegant and respected in Town. He chose to be in the clergy for right reasons. He helped Fanny to fit into Mansfield and gave her books and ideas. Overall, poor Edmund gets a bad rap.
Rarely have I found a character so infuriating as a certain male character in this. My partner came to know quite a lot of the plot from me moaning about him!
As always, Austen has crafted such fantastic characters, all of whom I think most readers will be able to relate (positively or negatively) to someone in their lives. While I do feel that the play section early on takes on a little more time than necessary, the rest of the plot is a delight. Any reader who has enjoyed her other work will find plenty to enjoy here.
As always, Austen has crafted such fantastic characters, all of whom I think most readers will be able to relate (positively or negatively) to someone in their lives. While I do feel that the play section early on takes on a little more time than necessary, the rest of the plot is a delight. Any reader who has enjoyed her other work will find plenty to enjoy here.
Not my favorite Austen novel, but still well written like her others. I just wish it had the voice and power of her other novels.
I didn’t hate the characters in this as much as I did those in Sense and Sensibility and was actually quite invested in their developments, so that’s why, although I still hate the conclusions in this, I’m still ultimately rating it higher.. That being said. I am actually really glad that this is the last Austen novel I read because it captures all of my issues with her and her worldview so aptly. To me, the reason Pride and Prejudice is comparatively her strongest novel is because it’s where Austen acknowledges the consequences of her own pride and prejudice the most. It’s where her characters as a whole feel the most well rounded and human, and capable of being forgiven despite the presence of their vices. In most of her other novels, Austen’s arrogance and self-righteousness hold her characters hostage to their pre-determined fates. It’s especially prevalent here in Mansfield Park, because the characters have to lack complexity in order for Fanny to be right about her own convictions in the end. I’m not a fan of Henry Crawford, nor do I think Fanny is obligated to reciprocate his affections, but the fact that he and Mary are ultimately doomed to stagnancy in order for the message of the novel to ring true feels incredibly lazy and self-serving. It’s not to say there isn’t worth in class critique, because there certainly is, but Fanny’s world view doesn’t stem from any real kind of empathy. She’s a victim indoctrinated into her extended family’s—and particularly her cousin’s—brand of conservative propriety and classism. The narrative doesn’t view it as such, but it’s practically tragic that she’s incapable of connecting with her own family once she finally reunites with them because she’s become one with the Bertrams’ standards and ideals in spite of their constant condescension towards and neglect of her. There’s also her simultaneous patronization towards and judgment of women by way of that upbringing. Fanny is ultimately a victim through-and-through, indoctrinated into so many self-hating ideologies that she develops into a self-righteous and resentful person. (Tangentially, I’m shocked people call Anne Austen’s most resentful heroine. She isn’t by a long mile. In fact, she possesses the grace and capacity for forgiveness that so many Austen characters lack.) In that sense, Fanny and Edmund are made for each other, but to any sensible person it’s tragic, because had she been raised in a more loving and forgiving environment to begin with, things might have been very different.
FINAL RATING: 3.5
FINAL RATING: 3.5
I am an introverted person and had hoped to relate to Fanny Price, but found that I did not and frankly she quite frustrated me. But I embraced that fact and found the book still interesting and engaging even when I didn't relate to, or particularly feel a fondness for, almost any of the characters. Fanny certainly stayed true to herself and never waivered. But I did wish that her character would have grown and developed a bit more. She was like a bird with clipped wings and Austen had the chance to let her grow her feathers back and flutter a bit into the world, but instead she kept her in her nest. I was disappointed with the ending. But ultimately, if I can allow myself to be okay with all the complacency and close-mindedness of Fanny, I suppose the ending makes sense for the characters. This novel certainly made me feel: feelings of frustration, hope, and irritation! But as I said, it is not necessary for us to love or relate to all book protagonists and this was quite an unusual journey in character exploration. But why spend so much time developing a character like Henry and have it seem like both characters are learning and growing towards making each other better people only to completely toss him out into the trash in such a careless way! It vexed me a bit.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
we love Fanny in this house ❤️ we like Edmund, William, and Susan as well<3 we hate Henry & Maria C. and Mrs. Norris 👎🏼👎🏼🍅🍅 It was a great book! I just love Fanny’s character, I love its beautiful story, and the characters were well written ! A 10/10 🙂↕️
challenging
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is so beautifully written. Jane Austen is just amazing.
I'm really surprised by the dislike towards Fanny. I found her quite admirable, she knew her mind & she did not falter despite the fact that everyone piled up on her.
This is no romance but a social commentary. I was aware of this prior to reading so I was not disappointed like many seem to be.
I'm really surprised by the dislike towards Fanny. I found her quite admirable, she knew her mind & she did not falter despite the fact that everyone piled up on her.
This is no romance but a social commentary. I was aware of this prior to reading so I was not disappointed like many seem to be.
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Updated review:
I've read Mansfield several times now, and I find that Fanny grows on me with each new read. The book as a whole, however, does not. It's well-written, yet for all its merits, Mansfield Park lacks the wit and character growth I've come to expect from Austen's work.
Earlier review:
In general, I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen's writing. In Mansfield Park, however, I was disappointed. It lacked most of the wit, humor, and depth of character evident in Austen's other works, and I found it difficult to cheer for characters as thick as Edmond or as meek as Fanny. Also, for all the wordy descriptions and drawn out scenes of the bulk of Mansfield, the ending was wrapped up so hastily that there wasn't even the satisfaction of a proposal or romantic scene between Edmond and Fanny. One of these days I should very much like to see someone write a variation in which Fanny does eventually fall for the altered Henry Crawford and in which Edmond receives his just desserts for being so condescending and short sighted by getting stuck with Mary.
I've read Mansfield several times now, and I find that Fanny grows on me with each new read. The book as a whole, however, does not. It's well-written, yet for all its merits, Mansfield Park lacks the wit and character growth I've come to expect from Austen's work.
Earlier review:
In general, I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen's writing. In Mansfield Park, however, I was disappointed. It lacked most of the wit, humor, and depth of character evident in Austen's other works, and I found it difficult to cheer for characters as thick as Edmond or as meek as Fanny. Also, for all the wordy descriptions and drawn out scenes of the bulk of Mansfield, the ending was wrapped up so hastily that there wasn't even the satisfaction of a proposal or romantic scene between Edmond and Fanny. One of these days I should very much like to see someone write a variation in which Fanny does eventually fall for the altered Henry Crawford and in which Edmond receives his just desserts for being so condescending and short sighted by getting stuck with Mary.
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated