Mansfield Park Author:Jane Austen At the age of ten, shy, vulnerable Fanny Price leaves her impoverished family to go live with her rich relatives at Mansfield Park. — Growing up with her cousins, Fanny is aware she is different and that her place in society can't be taken for granted. — A dashing couple from London enter this stable, rural world. They dazzle all the rubes at Mans... more »field Park except for Fanny, who sees through their shallow veneer.
One of the great novels of the 19th century, this is the complete and unabridged version.« less
This may be Jane Austen's most controversial book - readers ask, is Fanny Price too good, too pious, too much of a doormat? Yes, of course she is. But she's grown on me over the years and with each reading of this wonderful, cynical, wise book.
Not Jane Austen's best work, but identifiably hers. She wrote this when young and her lack of polish as an author shows through, but the plot is predictably Austen. The themes---moral good vs evil, persons of substance vs the vapid--are also Austen through and through, as are the characters who feature in this tale of a country family torn by adultery and dishonor. If you've read another Austen and love her, then I recommend this, but don't make this one your first exposure to the joy that is a Jane Austen novel.
This is by far my least favorite Jane Austen book. First off, it's way too long. The massive paragraphs of narration are to blame for that, in my opinion. It could've easily been shortened by a hundred pages, and that would've added a star to my rating. Secondly, none of the characters are likable. Fanny is bland, Edmund is a dolt, Maria and Julia and the Crawfords have horrible morals, Mrs. Norris is abominable, etc, etc. Reading dialogue between them all was torturous. Throughout the whole story I was waiting for Fanny to come out of her shell and do something or stand up for herself, but that never happens, which is a let down.
This edition in particular was really wonderful. From the notes in the back, the introduction, and the appendix, this is how classics should be published.
What red-blooded American woman doesn't like Jane Austin? Her use of language and development of characters is outstanding. Mansfield Park is one of her lesser acclaimed novels, but this is still an incredible novel. The audio book is read well by Maureen O'Brien. The whole experience made my morning commute something to look forward to!