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beebeewin 's review for:
Mansfield Park
by Jane Austen
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think of the Jane Austen I have read so far Mansfiled Park by far is my least favorite. I think it was hard because it felt much longer than it needed to be in the first half and then in the second half it all of the sudden picked up so quickly, and yet it still feels like some plot points were rushed through.
The things I did like were Jane Austen's sharp wit and willingness to read her characters to filth. From Mrs. Bertram to Mrs. Norris to the Crawfords, Austen's writing eloquently displayed all their faults. It is funny because I feel like Fanny, her many character would never think these things, so you are just getting pure Jane Austen level of commentary. More than once I highlighted a passage that made me laugh out loud with how vicious Austen is. For those who think she writes fluffy romances, please read them. My favorite parts of this book are her biting societal commentary and treatises on love, relationships, and family.
Speaking of, Fanny did grow on me as I read. Like I said in the early portion of the novel I think Austen went on far to long. Part of the issue of that was that then I didn't really feel engaged in understanding or wanting more for the characters. I was instead exhausted reading content that really didn't enrich the characters or the story. This meant for at least the first half of the book I didn't understand Fanny and what I was supposed to be getting from her as a character, but the second half really brought her to light. She is a quiet, reserved, and extremely self-sacrificing person, but she also is very wise, prudent, and resilient. She stands her ground when it comes to Henry Crawford and is extremely brilliant in navigating her refusal of him as well as all the other family dynamics that come with it. I appreciated her by the end especially her speech in chapter 35, where she clears up that not only does she not think women should just love/marry a man because he likes her, she also doesn't think it is fair for someone to expect women not to think and decide on entering a marriage when they themselves haven't known the intention of the man until a proposal. Fanny in this moment shows herself to be a women clearly deeply thinking about her future, not just some flighty women like Maria or Ms. Crawford who aren't thinking about long term consequences of her actions. Plus, this still applies in modern day to relationships, another moment Austen transcends time.
Other than Fanny though, I don't like any of the other characters. (I like William so maybe don't lump him in here.) They are all vapid, unkind, or generally self-absorbed. Even Edmund, who Austen seems to try to frame as this kind, virtuous man rubs me wrong. I feel in the end that he only marries Fanny because once again she is the only one caring for him, like she does for fucking everybody. I don't buy that it is a great relationship and that all is well with the Tom and Mr. Bertram. It seems like to me they all learned one thing and then maybe go back to the way they were, the only benefit being Mr. Norris out of the neighborhood. I imagine Fanny is still the primary caretaker and head of reason for that family forever. Mostly, I just feel like this because only in the final chapter do we get to see any character growth for any of them!
Honestly, despite my mix of bad and good thoughts I would still recommend Austen fans read this. Maybe don't have this be the first Austen you read, but still worth a read in the end. Austen writes some scathing commentary and Fanny truly does grow on you.
The things I did like were Jane Austen's sharp wit and willingness to read her characters to filth. From Mrs. Bertram to Mrs. Norris to the Crawfords, Austen's writing eloquently displayed all their faults. It is funny because I feel like Fanny, her many character would never think these things, so you are just getting pure Jane Austen level of commentary. More than once I highlighted a passage that made me laugh out loud with how vicious Austen is. For those who think she writes fluffy romances, please read them. My favorite parts of this book are her biting societal commentary and treatises on love, relationships, and family.
Speaking of, Fanny did grow on me as I read. Like I said in the early portion of the novel I think Austen went on far to long. Part of the issue of that was that then I didn't really feel engaged in understanding or wanting more for the characters. I was instead exhausted reading content that really didn't enrich the characters or the story. This meant for at least the first half of the book I didn't understand Fanny and what I was supposed to be getting from her as a character, but the second half really brought her to light. She is a quiet, reserved, and extremely self-sacrificing person, but she also is very wise, prudent, and resilient. She stands her ground when it comes to Henry Crawford and is extremely brilliant in navigating her refusal of him as well as all the other family dynamics that come with it. I appreciated her by the end especially her speech in chapter 35, where she clears up that not only does she not think women should just love/marry a man because he likes her, she also doesn't think it is fair for someone to expect women not to think and decide on entering a marriage when they themselves haven't known the intention of the man until a proposal. Fanny in this moment shows herself to be a women clearly deeply thinking about her future, not just some flighty women like Maria or Ms. Crawford who aren't thinking about long term consequences of her actions. Plus, this still applies in modern day to relationships, another moment Austen transcends time.
Other than Fanny though, I don't like any of the other characters. (I like William so maybe don't lump him in here.) They are all vapid, unkind, or generally self-absorbed. Even Edmund, who Austen seems to try to frame as this kind, virtuous man rubs me wrong. I feel in the end that he only marries Fanny because once again she is the only one caring for him, like she does for fucking everybody. I don't buy that it is a great relationship and that all is well with the Tom and Mr. Bertram. It seems like to me they all learned one thing and then maybe go back to the way they were, the only benefit being Mr. Norris out of the neighborhood. I imagine Fanny is still the primary caretaker and head of reason for that family forever. Mostly, I just feel like this because only in the final chapter do we get to see any character growth for any of them!
Honestly, despite my mix of bad and good thoughts I would still recommend Austen fans read this. Maybe don't have this be the first Austen you read, but still worth a read in the end. Austen writes some scathing commentary and Fanny truly does grow on you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism