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impla77's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This is one of Austens more weaker outings, with a frankly unlikeable and judgemental main character who we are supposed to believe is the epitome of virtue. I don’t mind the slower pace but I can see how others may find it boring
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Child abuse
anjasshelf's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Colonisation, Slavery, and Child abuse
Minor: Infidelity and Addiction
lindseyhall44's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
“She alone was sad and insignificant; she had no share in anything; she might go or stay, she might be in her midst of their noise, or retreat from it to the solitude of the east room, without being seen or missed.”
Jane Austen’s third novel is the most polarizing review-wise, so I was a tad skeptical going in. That being said, the complexities and depth of Mansfield Park is unlike anything in her extensive resume, creating a unique but still amazing read.
Mansfield Park follows Fanny Price, the daughter of a lower to middle class nuclear family, who moves in with her extremely wealthy extended family. Through the exploration of desire, wealth, and ultimately corruption, the “outsider” narrative perspective provides and outlook of society which has stood the test of time today.
Out of all the Austen heroines I have read so far, I think Fanny is my favorite. Where Elizabeth Bennett is fearless and out-spoken, Fanny is timid and shy. These qualities-paired with a good heart and constant anxiety-make her both relatable and lovable.
Jane Austen’s third novel is the most polarizing review-wise, so I was a tad skeptical going in. That being said, the complexities and depth of Mansfield Park is unlike anything in her extensive resume, creating a unique but still amazing read.
Mansfield Park follows Fanny Price, the daughter of a lower to middle class nuclear family, who moves in with her extremely wealthy extended family. Through the exploration of desire, wealth, and ultimately corruption, the “outsider” narrative perspective provides and outlook of society which has stood the test of time today.
Out of all the Austen heroines I have read so far, I think Fanny is my favorite. Where Elizabeth Bennett is fearless and out-spoken, Fanny is timid and shy. These qualities-paired with a good heart and constant anxiety-make her both relatable and lovable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Incest
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Slavery
sdemo08's review against another edition
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As a modern day reader, I did not enjoy this one but I shall persist on my quest to read more classics. It may be this held more favorable reception closer to its debut but goodness it was not for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Colonisation, Racism, Gaslighting, and Slavery
georgiesreads's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery
bronzeageholly's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Incest
Moderate: Bullying and Slavery
madisone's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Slavery, and Bullying
Minor: Child death
imrath's review against another edition
slow-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery, Infidelity, Colonisation, and Classism
booksjessreads's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Perhaps one of my least favourite Austen novels, alongside Emma (I said what I said), I did certainly enjoy some of the themes explored in the book, I just couldn't quite get on with Fanny's character. I certainly felt like Edward was the absolute worst hero out of the Austen books. I'm not going to lie, I was annoyed that Fanny didn't refuse him. Sub-par in my opinion.
I felt like Fanny was the most quiet of the heroines in the Austen novels, she was more moralistic, but generally very passive, never speaking her mind. Due to her upbringing, its clear this behaviour is instilled in her. She is surrounded by more colourful characters which are clearly more dramatic and provide a lot of the plot-line due to their eccentricity, which Fanny, and therefore the reader, passively experiences. Although, in a way, this passivity of Fanny surrounded by her eccentric characters actually demonstrates an element of steadfastness and loyalty to her Christian virtues, rather than being swayed by the other's behaviour.
I also liked how the novel not only explored standard themes of marriage, friendship and class, but also added the theme of slavery in here with Lord Norris being a slave-trader, living in a house named Mansfield Park (named after a slave-trader who adopted a mixed-race girl and forcing her to live as an outsider). This novel was telling of the way in which richer families engaged with that aspect of their history and was an insightful element.
Despite these interesting elements of the novel, I found that Fanny's placidity meant there wasn't as much for the reader to engage with and generally found it hard to follow sometimes. The purpose is obviously to portray Fanny in a certain way, but for reader engagement and expectation, it does let it down a little.
I felt like Fanny was the most quiet of the heroines in the Austen novels, she was more moralistic, but generally very passive, never speaking her mind. Due to her upbringing, its clear this behaviour is instilled in her. She is surrounded by more colourful characters which are clearly more dramatic and provide a lot of the plot-line due to their eccentricity, which Fanny, and therefore the reader, passively experiences. Although, in a way, this passivity of Fanny surrounded by her eccentric characters actually demonstrates an element of steadfastness and loyalty to her Christian virtues, rather than being swayed by the other's behaviour.
I also liked how the novel not only explored standard themes of marriage, friendship and class, but also added the theme of slavery in here with Lord Norris being a slave-trader, living in a house named Mansfield Park (named after a slave-trader who adopted a mixed-race girl and forcing her to live as an outsider). This novel was telling of the way in which richer families engaged with that aspect of their history and was an insightful element.
Despite these interesting elements of the novel, I found that Fanny's placidity meant there wasn't as much for the reader to engage with and generally found it hard to follow sometimes. The purpose is obviously to portray Fanny in a certain way, but for reader engagement and expectation, it does let it down a little.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Slavery
phoxyphoenix's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery and Racism