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toomanyfingees's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, it's just not my favourite Austen. I sympathize with Fanny, but still would have liked to see her get sassy, just once.
faintgirl's review against another edition
2.0
I've had to change my book selection criteria recently, as my limited range of second hand shops here is reducing my choice. So here comes my first classic, a lot earlier than I anticipated in this mega mission. And I have to say, that it was a real disappointment. I've read Austen before, I've enjoyed Austen before. But Mansfield Park felt so wet! You are acutely aware from their first introductions that Fanny and Edmund are going to end up together, and the route there in interminable. The scandals Austen usually employs to up the pace of the story come thick and fast right and the end, and the whole thing is resolved with quickly, as the two protagonists benefit from the misfortune and ineptitude of the others, that it all feels like a bit of a let down.
But that's not my main problem. My main problem is that I hate Fanny and Edmund. Fanny is a drip. She's been properly brought up by her uncle, and unlike his wayward daughters, is always completely moral to the point of serious lack of character. She is always restrained, and always does the right thing. She has none of the spark of the Emmas or the Elizabeths, she doesn't do anything proactive to secure her man for fear of becoming inappropriate. And Edmund. My god Edmund. Edmund who likes to consider himself a fine example of good breeding and astute principles, is led astray by a pretty face early on, and only when faced with the utter disaster of her reaction to the final scandal, does he finally open his eyes and realise that him and wet blanket number two, Fanny, were actually meant for each other. I find him a pompous ass, and to be honest, they deserve each other.
I've heard it said that Mansfield Park is as much the tale of a house as of it's characters, and maybe that's true. Certainly the hours of reading time devoted to the sodding play it housed may testify to this. But I prefer my characters sparky, my women strongwilled but proper, and my scandals to involve at least one dashing military officer. Pretty disappointing this one.
But that's not my main problem. My main problem is that I hate Fanny and Edmund. Fanny is a drip. She's been properly brought up by her uncle, and unlike his wayward daughters, is always completely moral to the point of serious lack of character. She is always restrained, and always does the right thing. She has none of the spark of the Emmas or the Elizabeths, she doesn't do anything proactive to secure her man for fear of becoming inappropriate. And Edmund. My god Edmund. Edmund who likes to consider himself a fine example of good breeding and astute principles, is led astray by a pretty face early on, and only when faced with the utter disaster of her reaction to the final scandal, does he finally open his eyes and realise that him and wet blanket number two, Fanny, were actually meant for each other. I find him a pompous ass, and to be honest, they deserve each other.
I've heard it said that Mansfield Park is as much the tale of a house as of it's characters, and maybe that's true. Certainly the hours of reading time devoted to the sodding play it housed may testify to this. But I prefer my characters sparky, my women strongwilled but proper, and my scandals to involve at least one dashing military officer. Pretty disappointing this one.
yousralikestoread's review against another edition
5.0
I LOVED reading this book !!!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I love the flaws in all the characters, volume 1 and 3 were definitely my favorites, maybe volume 1 more than 3.
I still wish fanny had ended up with someone better than Edmund but it was so good to see her go from the “opinion-less” girl, terrified of speaking her mind, to STRONGLY refusing an extremely wealthy man!
I love the parallels in the books especially between the beginning and the end of the book.
I really loved fanny’s character, and she has grown so much since the first time we met her.
Idk why people don’t give this book a higher rating
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
I love the flaws in all the characters, volume 1 and 3 were definitely my favorites, maybe volume 1 more than 3.
I still wish fanny had ended up with someone better than Edmund but it was so good to see her go from the “opinion-less” girl, terrified of speaking her mind, to STRONGLY refusing an extremely wealthy man!
I love the parallels in the books especially between the beginning and the end of the book.
I really loved fanny’s character, and she has grown so much since the first time we met her.
Idk why people don’t give this book a higher rating
paperchase's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Many find it hard to enter this novel for understandable reasons. But for those who are able to let Austen transport them to her contemporary society’s mores, and listen for those gleaming and universally relevant observations on human nature, Mansfield Park will resound.
Brontë criticized Austen’s stories as too confined, but Mansfield Park has some of the same forces at play as Jane Eyre.
Brontë criticized Austen’s stories as too confined, but Mansfield Park has some of the same forces at play as Jane Eyre.
morganawilson's review against another edition
2.0
Fanny is stupid and they’re cousins, got it. Riveting work, Jane.
bruna_07's review against another edition
3.0
3.75
I have finally finished reading Mansfield Park. And, I have to state that this is my third favourite novel from Austen (right after Pride and Prejudice and Emma) - from the ones I've read so far.
Throughout it, I had many mixed feelings of how I should review this. Sometimes I thought it would be a 5 star and others I thought it would be a 2. It was an interesting read, honestly.
Regarding the characters, I found that the female main character, Fanny, was unlike Austen's other female main characters. What I mean by that is that she was more timid, reserved, and that it's totally understandable under her family circumstances and living conditions in her early years. There were times I didn't quite agree with her actions and her thoughts but other times she started to grow on me. And, she did have some similar qualities and beliefs as other Austen's female main characters had.
Mr. Crawford was the worst character in this novel, one of the main reasons I almost gave it a 2 star. He was manipulative, player, unconsiderate, liar, etc (and I have a feeling he has never heard a no from a woman because I was baffled by his behavior). Edmund was one of my most favourite characters he was so gentle, thoughtful, passionate and just had the rights beliefs and behaviors of a gentleman (as they used to say).
Overall, it was a good read and there were some good twists and drama making it very interesting and engaging. Although, I have to admit there were times that I was a bit bored.
Jane Austen's mind and writing style is one of my favourites and I can't wait to read the rest of her work!
I have finally finished reading Mansfield Park. And, I have to state that this is my third favourite novel from Austen (right after Pride and Prejudice and Emma) - from the ones I've read so far.
Throughout it, I had many mixed feelings of how I should review this. Sometimes I thought it would be a 5 star and others I thought it would be a 2. It was an interesting read, honestly.
Regarding the characters, I found that the female main character, Fanny, was unlike Austen's other female main characters. What I mean by that is that she was more timid, reserved, and that it's totally understandable under her family circumstances and living conditions in her early years. There were times I didn't quite agree with her actions and her thoughts but other times she started to grow on me. And, she did have some similar qualities and beliefs as other Austen's female main characters had.
Mr. Crawford was the worst character in this novel, one of the main reasons I almost gave it a 2 star. He was manipulative, player, unconsiderate, liar, etc (and I have a feeling he has never heard a no from a woman because I was baffled by his behavior). Edmund was one of my most favourite characters he was so gentle, thoughtful, passionate and just had the rights beliefs and behaviors of a gentleman (as they used to say).
Overall, it was a good read and there were some good twists and drama making it very interesting and engaging. Although, I have to admit there were times that I was a bit bored.
Jane Austen's mind and writing style is one of my favourites and I can't wait to read the rest of her work!
jchant's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was my first time reading Mansfield Park, and it was wonderful, up until the last chapter. Why, oh why, couldn’t Austen give this a more satisfying ending? I won’t go into detail, in case you have yet to read it, and my comments about the ending definitely shouldn’t stop you from picking up this enjoyable book. Definitely recommended!
blueyorkie's review against another edition
4.0
Mansfield Park is a novel by Jane Austen written in full maturity and somewhat more difficult at first than other works. Learning the story in which we follow the young and so endearing Fanny, we find with joy such a realistic and uncompromising painting of the English bourgeoisie of the early 19th century. There is only one talent like that of Jane Austen, who can succeed in taking us on board with great pleasure in this so codified environment. And once again, we are caught up in this touching story with such contemporary feelings.
madisondelaney13's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0