Scan barcode
A review by jadeisgreen
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
I often struggle to review classics, as I’m not sure they hold to the same standards that I would hold a novel to now.
Do I review it as a piece of fiction reflective of the time it was written, or how well it applies to lives today?
If I were to hold this to todays standards, I would have to point out the obvious lack of diversity, wealth dependant on a slave traded economy and prejudices against women who do not find themselves assimilating to the tight confines of female morality.
But then, half of the point is that Austen is reflecting on such failures in society at the time.
With this being said, I did very much enjoy the satirical exposure of the hypocrisy of social class politics and morality in Austen’s tone. I thought most of the novel to be very funny, despite not entirely loving the way the story panned out.
The ending felt more like an epilogue, in that the last third of the book felt tremendously dragged out only to be wrapped up in pages.
(And my hopes throughout the book that Fanny would not end up with her cousin, were unfortunately not met)
I must also say, that despite seeing a lot of people say how much they disliked Fanny and found her to be boring, and at times I can certainly understand why, I found it quite refreshing to be faced with such a quiet, introverted protagonist. The only thing I did not care for about her was her tendency toward being judgemental and pious- though even this adds a complexity to the character that I always find satisfying to read.
Unsure how to score- the writing is unquestionably good, I enjoyed the satire and discussion of class, despite not being all together satisfied by the ending.
Do I review it as a piece of fiction reflective of the time it was written, or how well it applies to lives today?
If I were to hold this to todays standards, I would have to point out the obvious lack of diversity, wealth dependant on a slave traded economy and prejudices against women who do not find themselves assimilating to the tight confines of female morality.
But then, half of the point is that Austen is reflecting on such failures in society at the time.
With this being said, I did very much enjoy the satirical exposure of the hypocrisy of social class politics and morality in Austen’s tone. I thought most of the novel to be very funny, despite not entirely loving the way the story panned out.
The ending felt more like an epilogue, in that the last third of the book felt tremendously dragged out only to be wrapped up in pages.
(And my hopes throughout the book that Fanny would not end up with her cousin, were unfortunately not met)
I must also say, that despite seeing a lot of people say how much they disliked Fanny and found her to be boring, and at times I can certainly understand why, I found it quite refreshing to be faced with such a quiet, introverted protagonist. The only thing I did not care for about her was her tendency toward being judgemental and pious- though even this adds a complexity to the character that I always find satisfying to read.
Unsure how to score- the writing is unquestionably good, I enjoyed the satire and discussion of class, despite not being all together satisfied by the ending.