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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
"Let him have all the perfections in the world, I think it ought not be set down as certain that a man must be acceptable to every woman he may happen to like himself."
One of the most metal quotes in all of Austen.... and it came from the book about the meekest, most passive, most widely derided as a wet blanket heroine, Fanny Price? Bro. Brooooooo.
I'll admit in the first half I was a little exasperated with her and the dragging plot in general, but when Henry Crawford really comes into play and Fanny
Spoiler
trusted her instincts and refused himSpoiler
cousin EdmundSo I could have been perfectly content without that final chapter, but hey.
Well, I liked this enough to re-read it within a year, so that says something. And it's not a short book.
I love books that throw you into the deep end and expect you to swim. Several of William Gibson's books, but especially The Peripheral; Susanna Clarke's Piranesi. They start telling the story from the characters' point of view and leave you to figure out what's going on in the world.
Mansfield Park is not an unfamiliar setting (for the intended audience at the time), but it is an intensely social milieu, and Austen doesn't pull any punches. Within the first two pages, we're introduced to: Miss Maria Ward, Sir Thomas Bertram, Miss Ward, Miss Frances, Rev. Mr. Norris, Mrs. Norris, an unnamed Lieutenant of Marines, Lady Bertram, Mrs. Price, and Fanny. You need to be paying enough attention to infer that Miss Maria Ward and Lady Bertram are the same person, as are Miss Ward and Mrs. Norris, as well as Miss Frances, Mrs. Price, and Fanny. You should also have caught that Miss Ward (Mrs. Norris) is designated by that name as the eldest of the three sisters, and that the unnamed Lieutenant must be Mr. Price. Buckle up, here comes page three.
For someone who grew up on what are in essence boys' adventure stories of various stripes and levels of maturity, this is a very different experience, and it's frankly quite challenging. This is not the complexity of murder mysteries or political intrigues or heist stories. It's the complexity of social relations between a dozen or so people varying in age, social status, fortune and prospects, beauty and talent, availability, desirability, maturity, and character flaws, who are bound together by family relationships or thrown together by circumstance. It's all about social skills and character and life choices.
Part of what is fascinating is that it is so ordinary. The climactic drama is a social scandal. There are no fight scenes or chases, no countdown on a ticking bomb. There are four young ladies and a similar number of young gentlemen, and it will be interesting to see who ends up with whom.
[Still working on this. There's a lot to think about...]
(This copy, the one I read first, is my mum's. It's part of a full set of Jane Austen's novels from Oxford University Press, printed in 1946. I re-read the Project Gutenberg version on my Kindle, which while convenient is an altogether less emotionally resonant experience.)
I love books that throw you into the deep end and expect you to swim. Several of William Gibson's books, but especially The Peripheral; Susanna Clarke's Piranesi. They start telling the story from the characters' point of view and leave you to figure out what's going on in the world.
Mansfield Park is not an unfamiliar setting (for the intended audience at the time), but it is an intensely social milieu, and Austen doesn't pull any punches. Within the first two pages, we're introduced to: Miss Maria Ward, Sir Thomas Bertram, Miss Ward, Miss Frances, Rev. Mr. Norris, Mrs. Norris, an unnamed Lieutenant of Marines, Lady Bertram, Mrs. Price, and Fanny. You need to be paying enough attention to infer that Miss Maria Ward and Lady Bertram are the same person, as are Miss Ward and Mrs. Norris, as well as Miss Frances, Mrs. Price, and Fanny. You should also have caught that Miss Ward (Mrs. Norris) is designated by that name as the eldest of the three sisters, and that the unnamed Lieutenant must be Mr. Price. Buckle up, here comes page three.
For someone who grew up on what are in essence boys' adventure stories of various stripes and levels of maturity, this is a very different experience, and it's frankly quite challenging. This is not the complexity of murder mysteries or political intrigues or heist stories. It's the complexity of social relations between a dozen or so people varying in age, social status, fortune and prospects, beauty and talent, availability, desirability, maturity, and character flaws, who are bound together by family relationships or thrown together by circumstance. It's all about social skills and character and life choices.
Part of what is fascinating is that it is so ordinary. The climactic drama is a social scandal. There are no fight scenes or chases, no countdown on a ticking bomb. There are four young ladies and a similar number of young gentlemen, and it will be interesting to see who ends up with whom.
[Still working on this. There's a lot to think about...]
(This copy, the one I read first, is my mum's. It's part of a full set of Jane Austen's novels from Oxford University Press, printed in 1946. I re-read the Project Gutenberg version on my Kindle, which while convenient is an altogether less emotionally resonant experience.)
This was my first time reading Mansfield Park unabridged. I really feel like this work of Jane Austen doesn't get as much credit as it deserves. Some of the things that occur in the book can boggle the mind if you only look at it through a modern lens, but if viewed with the societal norms and practices of the day, that can make the responses, choices, and certain practices a bit clearer. Fanny Price, in my estimation had virtues that most of us should attempt to emulate.
5 Times Fanny Quietly Showed Love For Others
5 Times Fanny Quietly Showed Love For Others
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I always feel strongly conflicted while reading Jane Austen and this book was no exception 😩 Reading it was an experience but should I be happy with how things turned out? Maybe it's because I went into this expecting a romance - it's not 😑 I'm getting a headache just thinking about it 😵💫
Here are some thoughts I had on certain topics while reading 🤔
Consent
Plot structure
Romance
Ending thoughts
Also good riddance to Mrs Norris (officially the most annoying character, even the characters were glad to be rid of her 😂)
If you’re thinking of reading some of Jane Austen’s works, I strongly do not recommend starting with this one 😮💨 but don’t end with it either!!! It makes for some heavy reading and isn’t quite as romantic or lighthearted as say, Pride and Prejudice (now that’s a good one to start with…🤭)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
26 Books Challenge - A book I read in school. MP is not my favourite Austen, but it has grown on me. And it's one of the few works of literature featuring (incidental) characters with my surname.
You won't hear me say this often, so brace yourselves: I liked the movie better. I must admit that I prefer the writing style of the Brontes, as I had trouble getting into Pride and Prejudice as well for some of the same reasons.
The overall story was very good, however, I found that many of the descriptive sections carried on far too long. There were many run on sentences, which sometimes made the narrative difficult to follow. At times, I found myself having to read passages multiple times, simply to tell which of two conversing characters was the one speaking at a particular point in the conversation.
The characters themselves were very well defined, diverse, and what I liked most about the book. There were well drawn out contrasts between many of the main and supporting characters, as well as a contrast between the two locales focused on in the book: Mansfield Park and Portsmouth.
The character contrasts start from the onset. The three sisters are all very different from one another: Maria being an indolent, easy-going personality who married into a very comfortable lifestyle, Mrs. Norris being an incredibly active, uptight personality, who married into a modest, but comfortable living with a Reverend, and Frances being much like Maria in personality, but forced to be active due to marrying a Marine Lieutenant without an education.
Likewise, the contrast between the impoverished lifestyle that Fanny once lived in Portsmouth, and the lifestyle she has at Mansfield make for a stark contrast.
A very good book in its best spots, and a slow read in some of its worst, but overall, this book is a recommeneded read.
The overall story was very good, however, I found that many of the descriptive sections carried on far too long. There were many run on sentences, which sometimes made the narrative difficult to follow. At times, I found myself having to read passages multiple times, simply to tell which of two conversing characters was the one speaking at a particular point in the conversation.
The characters themselves were very well defined, diverse, and what I liked most about the book. There were well drawn out contrasts between many of the main and supporting characters, as well as a contrast between the two locales focused on in the book: Mansfield Park and Portsmouth.
The character contrasts start from the onset. The three sisters are all very different from one another: Maria being an indolent, easy-going personality who married into a very comfortable lifestyle, Mrs. Norris being an incredibly active, uptight personality, who married into a modest, but comfortable living with a Reverend, and Frances being much like Maria in personality, but forced to be active due to marrying a Marine Lieutenant without an education.
Likewise, the contrast between the impoverished lifestyle that Fanny once lived in Portsmouth, and the lifestyle she has at Mansfield make for a stark contrast.
A very good book in its best spots, and a slow read in some of its worst, but overall, this book is a recommeneded read.
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.