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bagdriwicz 's review for:
Mansfield Park
by Jane Austen
The writing is of course good and insightful. It takes no prisoners when discussing character foibles. But there’s barely any plot for such a long book, and it really drags.
2025 reread:
3.5ish. Maybe 4?? I was more inclined to like Fanny this time around. She is very relatable as a fellow introvert, but her timidity is so great at times that it can still be trying. I think Fanny actually has potential for a wide appeal as someone who is very obviously stuck between two worlds. My biggest complaint, however, is that Edmund is not worthy of her. I suppose it’s fine as the point of the story isn’t really their romance. Not that there is any. They get together in the falling action at the very end. But it is frustrating that after all she goes through, her reward is the blandest, beige-est possible husband. Literally what is his personality besides being a hypocrite. I think my favorite Austen novels are those where the heroines have at least one kind friend or family member, and Fanny doesn’t really have that because I don’t count Edmund. It also gives me the ick the way it’s emphasized how much influence he’s had on her. Not in like a nefarious or abusive way, but it just is sad. She’s so sheltered. Save Fanny from Edmund’s mediocrity!
2025 reread:
3.5ish. Maybe 4?? I was more inclined to like Fanny this time around. She is very relatable as a fellow introvert, but her timidity is so great at times that it can still be trying. I think Fanny actually has potential for a wide appeal as someone who is very obviously stuck between two worlds. My biggest complaint, however, is that Edmund is not worthy of her. I suppose it’s fine as the point of the story isn’t really their romance. Not that there is any. They get together in the falling action at the very end. But it is frustrating that after all she goes through, her reward is the blandest, beige-est possible husband. Literally what is his personality besides being a hypocrite. I think my favorite Austen novels are those where the heroines have at least one kind friend or family member, and Fanny doesn’t really have that because I don’t count Edmund. It also gives me the ick the way it’s emphasized how much influence he’s had on her. Not in like a nefarious or abusive way, but it just is sad. She’s so sheltered. Save Fanny from Edmund’s mediocrity!