Jane Austen

a novel

Mansfield Park

MANSFIELD PARK / Afterword by Marvin Mudrick.

Pavonini

“Selfishness must always be forgiven you know, because there is no hope of a cure.”

Kate

"I do not love him, I cannot love him, I should not love him"

It’s different than the other books i have read from Jane Austin, and I’m here for it! It was the first book that made me feel all the emotions. From pity to anger and happiness, it was a ride! The only reason I can’t give it a 5/5 is that I started enjoying the book after 140 pages and I’m not happy with the ending, especially with who Fanny ended up with. 

Ania Wysoczanska

It’s different than the other books i have read from Jane Austin, and I’m here for it! It was the first book that made me feel all the emotions. From pity to anger and happiness, it was a ride! The only reason I can’t give it a 5/5 is that I started enjoying the book after 140 pages and I’m not happy with the ending, especially with who Fanny ended up with. 

 

Ebook con un sumario dinámico y detallado: Mansfield Park es una de las novelas de Jane Austen. Fue escrita entre 1812 y 1814 en Chawton y fue publicada en mayo de 1814 por Egerton, el mismo editor que en el caso de sus dos predecesoras. Después de la segunda edición, pasa a manos de John Murray, el cual publicará después también Emma. Mansfield Park es quizá el texto más sombrío y perturbador de Austen. Jane Austen fue una destacada novelista británica que vivió durante el período de la Regencia. La ironía que emplea para dotar de comicidad a sus novelas hace que Jane Austen sea contada entre.

Biblioteca de Grandes Escritores

Anna Ureta

3.5 / 5 

I feel like I'd like it better if I read it rather than listened to it. Jane Austen requires a lot of focus but still beautiful.

Aged ten, Fanny Price is sent to live with her wealthier relations, the Bertrams, at Mansfield Park. However, life there is not as she imagined. Treated with disdain by three of her cousins, she finds her only comfort in the kindness of the fourth, Edmund. As they grow, their friendship develops into romantic love - until the arrival of Henry Crawford and his charming sister Mary causes an emotional upheaval that no one in the family expects. With psychological insight and sparkling wit, Jane Austen paints an irresistibly lifelike portrait of shifting values and split loyalties.This gorgeous edition of Mansfield Park is delightfully illustrated by the celebrated Hugh Thomson and includes an afterword by historian and author Nigel Cliff.Designed to appeal to the booklover, the Macmillan Collector's Library is a series of beautiful gift editions of much loved classic titles. Macmillan Collector's Library are books to love and treasure.

Jasmine Stanway

Mansfield Park is very different from JA’s other books, and it amazes me that it’s not more popular. I do think it’s rather long in spots (for example the chapters that take place in Portsmouth), but all in all it carries a very unique feeling to it that reminded me a lot of Wives & Daughters (mini series, I’ve yet to read the book). Fanny and Edmund carry so much integrity in their characters, and are a vast contrast to many people in the book. I found characters such as Henry Crawford and Mrs Norris completely frustrating to deal with due to their incredibly static personalities, and it really made me feel for and relate to Fanny in a major way.

I believe Sir Thomas has a very interesting storyline in this book. He has many moments of typical worldly wise action, where he like many puts wealth and status above personal feelings. What truly intrigued me though, is how those opinions really changed over time, once the situation with Henry and Maria unfolded. He came to see how principals and honourable character far outweigh wealth and status when it comes to personal happiness, which for JA’s time was an incredible statement to make in a character so traditional and representative of his social class. I truly applaud Jane Austen in the messages conveyed in this book, it will live in me for a long time 💛

Honey 🍯 

The story begins when a ten-year old Fanny Price is sent away from her poverty-stricken home to her maternal aunt's wealthy residence at Mansfield Park. There she meets her four cousins all but one of whom are mean to her. She is quiet and timid which aggravates her situation in her new house. Nonetheless, she grows up into a strong woman with ever stronger principles. 

This book was complex; none of the characters came off as silly or adorable which is quite the opposite of Northanger Abbey. I must admit, Mansfield Park felt unnecessary long. It felt burdensome to make my way through it. Austen spends paragraphs after paragraphs talking about things which do not let the plot move forward. Another negative was that Fanny was toooo quiet, literally. I understand that she was an introvert, but she felt absent from the majority of the narrative, so much for being the main character. I wish I could hear more of her thoughts, at least. 

Fanny Price is, nonetheless, an admirable heroine. She is not as outspoken or charming as Elizabeth or Emma or Elinor, which might be why most people are dissatisfied with her, but she certainly is the most principled. Her moral standard is exceedingly commendable. When everyone in her circle was forcing her to join them in their secret play, she stood adamant not just to refuse them, but also condemning their actions because of how inappropriate the whole act was. Her quality of standing her ground is highlighted further when she refuses a man of great rank and fortune. He tries everything in his power to convince her to accept him, and so does everyone else, sometimes even regarding her as foolish, but she does not budge because she does not want to marry a man she does not love. The readers think that she will eventually give in, but our Fanny does something unexpected. Her commitment to the one person who was kind to her in her life is unmatched. Her ideas about morality are mesmerizing. I also adore how gentle, patient and grateful she was. Sometimes, though, she was extremely humorous and sarcastic and I'm not complaining. She was the sort of kid who would silently judge those around her. In short, she was a lotus which was not affected by the ditch around her. 

The owner of Mansfield Park, i.e., Fanny's uncle Sir Thomas Bertram is described as a sensible man with good connections and rank in society. His wife, the gentle but indifferent Mrs. Bertram is regarded as the best of her three sisters on the basis that she married the best. Her eldest son, Tom is best at wasting his father's wealth. Edmund is the most valuable of all the four siblings because of his intellect and emotional sensitivity. His two sisters Maria and Julia have no specialities except good looks and being rude to their young new cousin. 

The fun part begins only when the sibling duo of Mr and Miss Crawford come and stay near them. Mr Henry Crawford is an incurable flirt who loves no woman but loves to make them fall for him only to leave them. Or, put it another way, he was a Victorian playboy. He flirts with the Bertram sisters and charms the elder one who he knows is already engaged to another man. Soon, he decides to make Fanny Price his next target although his sister forbids him to do so. He soon realizes the kind of person that Fanny is and now he is in for a surprise. 

Miss Mary Crawford was my favorite character. She was an intelligent woman with bright spirits. All of her qualities were in a perfect balance. Hailing from London, Mary had a natural advantage over the other friends she made in Mansfield Park. She acted as an antagonist here since she and Fanny both had the same love interest. But I honestly wanted the both of them to end up together since Mary's wit and charisma would have complimented Fanny's nature really well. Although there were attempts to villianize her actions throughout the book, it was maintained that she valued and understood Fanny really well and wanted the best for her. 

Edmund.. well, he was nice. And that is all there is to him. Yes, he handled his family and the estate well and was an excellent communicator. His hospitality and kindness were marvelous. I think we can justify his cluelessness about Fanny's feelings because he always adored her as his little sister and Mary had made him quite blind (I don't blame her, though, obviously). He is that type of character whom you can't really admire but don't have any reason to hate, you know? 

Overall, I liked Mansfield Park. It certainly isn't in my top three of her novels, but it is memorable. The love triangles and squares were entertaining. Austen has brilliantly incorporated the mannerisms and societal pressure in her writing. There was sarcasm laced even in the most saddening dialogues. Although I had to rely on sparknotes to understand chapters I read without getting even a single word in my head, I enjoyed it.

Nicole Sonja

I rather enjoyed this book. I loved the character of Fanny and I was highly entertained by the other characters.

Kwan Ann Tan

I finished this whole book while getting my hair done & honestly this is not Austen's finest

Gayathri Jinesh

Remember the scene from 'The Office', in which Dwight and Pam are repairing a printer, but there are only German instructions? 
"That is either an incense dispenser or a ceremonial sarcophagus". Dwight later explains that his German is preindustrial and mostly religious. 

My situation reading this book wasn't entirely dissimilar. Culture heavily influences language, and language from an entirely foreign culture of 1800s England must be hard for people not acquainted with it. With the aid of a few helpful fans on r/janeausten I got some idea about clergy and livings; a topic which takes up a few chapters in the beginning. The rest of it is not easy either. 

Austen's other books were written around the same age too, but the themes of those books are relevant in the present. 'Pride' and 'prejudice' haven't changed much over 200 years. 'Sense' hasn't changed either. (Sensibility though has thankfully taken a sensible turn; which made me really confused about what to feel about Marianne. But that's for another review). Mansfield Park as far as I understood deals with norms and propriety. And this has changed drastically over the years. Which probably made this book a difficult read.

PP and SS are all about Elizabeth and Elinor. Though, there's stuff going on in the background, they drive the story. Elizabeth and Elinor were the reason(s?) why those books were written. At least in the first half, Fanny appears to be more like an excuse for Mansfield Park to be written. Fanny slowly 'fades in' into the story. And even in the later half, she is more an observer than a doer. (There are some quotable dialogues, one or two - when she rarely speaks. I'm too lazy to type those down here)

The whole book is rather a character study - from the workings of societal relations than a linear drama. There is no intrigue of what-next or will-they-won't-they. It's intended for passive observation of interactions between characters which gives us an insight into their personalities. We have all sorts of people in here. And THAT is the primary attraction.

The genteel proper Edmund(who I'm not sure is supposed to be likeable), the prodigal son, William. Their mother who's like a stoned royal lady - completely useless, only has vague idea of what's going on around her and people treat her with utmost respect.
......The woman's husband has to cross the Atlantic for work stuff.....

  "Lady Bertram did not at all like to have her husband to leave her; but she was not disturbed by any alarm for his safety, or solicitude for his comfort, being one of those persons who think nothing can be dangerous or difficult, or fatiguing, to anybody but themselves"


And isn't Mrs. Norris fun? I've seen many an Aunt Norrises on Indian serials. So she wasn't hard to figure out. Then there's Ms. Crawford who you would expect to turn out to be a fascinating character, but ends up one-dimensional. Two sisters whose only role is to jealous of each other. And Mr. Crawford with his really weird character arc.

While reading this, I was in a constant struggle to figure about what this book was really about. Apart from what I mentioned above, there is this theme explored in the last few chapters, in multiple situations, when Fanny reaches her own home.

   "She could think of nothing but Mansfield, its beloved inmates, its happy ways. Everything where she was no was in full contrast to it. The elegance, propriety, regularity, harmony, and perhaps above all the peace and tranquility of Mansfield, were brought to her remembrance every hour of the day, by the prevalence of everything opposite to them here."

It's nothing much. Just how, circumstances change people. 'Cause I had to find some meaning in this mess. 

Maybe there is more to this book, that has clearly gone above my head. The book moves slowly and takes wild turns, including the ending, which must be the wildest turn that didn't do justice to many characters. It would make you think why all the stupidity earlier had to happen at all. 

The book is underwhelming at first, then it kind of grows on you, 'cause the characters are interesting, and then it just shrivels up and dies on you.

Maybe I'll appreciate it on a later read, but I wouldn't know.

authoritative text, contexts, criticism

Arianna M

incredibly well written and depressing in the same amount. will write about it more articulately on my blog but for now: WHEW! i hoped this would… end… differently…

ETA: Dear Mary Crawford, let's be (girl)friends you're so much fun

Paula Pujada

Es muy lento el desarrollo del climax, lo interesante empieza a pasar a partir de la mitad hasta el final. Sin embargo, creo que ha sido mi historia favorita de Jane Austen

Alice Hyman

Hot take: Ms Fanny Price deserved better … like so much better ( she also deserved a better name but that’s besides the point)
I know as an Austen heroine she is not the most loved, there’s no super witty comebacks or impressive moments. But, through all of her awful treatment and what she put up with, she stayed true to herself. She knows herself and knows what she wants and tbh for me that makes her one of the most strong AND relatable heroines. I’m socially anxious as f*, I also would prefer to stay in my room and read, I also start crying at the start of any confrontation 😂 
BUT as much as I love her as a heroine I hate hate hate the romance and conclusion of the story ! **spoilers ( if I can spoil a 100 year old book ) 
I swear Edmund pisses me off so much, he was just so privileged and self centred. Like he cared about Fanny but only kinda sorta and he forgot about her a lot and it was only when he got screwed over by someone else that he noticed her romantically ? 
The alternative ending that I still wish for is Baron Bertrum cuts out all of his other family from his will and just leaves everything to Fanny so she can live in introverted happiness in a huge manor with books and horses.

Callisone Dozier

Although Fanny is not my favorite of Austen's heroines, she has one of the best character arcs. I enjoyed Austen's prose in Mansfield more than when I read Northanger Abbey and Sense & Sensibility.

Marcella Chamorro

** spoiler alert **
           Great book. Fanny and Edward's friendship is adorable.

Natalia Hernandez

Reseña en español en mi blog: 
https://natified.com/2018/07/04/2018-...

I couldn't finish it. I gave up. I'm kinda not sorry. I found Fanny to be very bland, I just don't care for this type of character who just wants to be not noticed but is anyway because they're ++so special++ There's nothing particularly impressive or interesting about her and as a protagonist, I don't have the patience to keep going. The male character in it is just as blah. I think the only character I did like is Mary Crawford and she's an awful person, but at least she has opinions and a strong personality.

Emilia

Che immensa fatica terminare questo libro.

Mary Rose Luksha

The only other work by Austen that I've read is (surprise surprise) Pride & Prejudice. I thought P&P was quite cleverly written and the flow and development of characters very natural.

I guess the difference, for me, between the two is that Mansfield Park seemed to be more about the story. Yes it centers on Fanny Price but, Fanny is such a demure character that everything she does is kind of boring, so other, more wily, characters were added in and at times the book as a story and the book as a character study seemed at odds with each other.

But one thing I do love about Austen is her side characters, people not in the main plot but still in the story. There are people who seem like short character sketches to me, and I enjoy them so much. They seem so accurate, and I can think of people like that, even today, which I view as an accomplishment. My favorite character from Mansfield Park was probably Mrs. Norris, in that love to hate her kind of way.

But ultimately, Mansfield is as well-written as P&P, but in my opinion, less compelling, so I gave it three stars.

Stephanie Joseph

** spoiler alert **
           My first impression of the book? Mixed feelings tbh. I was way behind when reading with the #Pemberlittens but once I reached chapter 28-30 I couldn’t stop with #chapteraday. I went ahead and finished the book. 😂 

The book itself was slow moving and Fanny wasn’t a character I could understand. She seemed like Cinderella, a drastic difference from Lizzy Bennet! It takes a while to get used to her soft spoken manner but like the character itself, you learn to love her slowly.

I found myself rooting for her happiness with Crawford. (Blame P&P 😂) I really thought he’d changed since he pursued her so. The ending didn’t sit right with me. Although I knew what was going to happen, I felt it was rushed. Edmund...oh blind Edmund. He’s all good and sensitive but his priorities are set backwards. On a final note, this is my 3rd favorite book of Austen. P&P will always have a special place in my heart ♥️

Audrey Vandecauter 

4,5/5 ✨

I may have found my new favourite Jane Austen!
Her most complex book IMO.

Flavia Louise

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed Fanny as a character, however I found it quite hard to get into the story of this novel as well as carry on with it compared to Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.

Next in the Austen Readathon: Emma

Arta

Grace O'Callaghan

Even though I only gave this book three stars, I'm still pleasantly surprised. I went into this thinking I was going to hate it because it seems to be Austen's least loved work. 

We follow Fanny Price as she is taken in by her Aunt and Uncle into a life of luxury. However she isn't treated the best. She is often made fun of and overlooked because of her mild nature.

I really enjoyed Fanny's character. I've read Emma, Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey and the heroines of those all had stronger personalities. Fanny is a quiet and bookish young woman who doesn't particularly engage with her family much. She mostly observes them. Despite her outward demeanour she does stand up for herself when it is most important. I saw a lot of myself in Fanny. 

As for the rest of the characters they were okay. No outstanding ones or ones I deeply resented. Though Henry Crawford and Mrs Norris were pretty annoying.

Unusual for Austen, I didn't exactly root for the romance. For the most part it was nonexistent until the very end so there wans't anything to latch on to.

Overall, better than I was expecting. Perhaps a little long but had Austen's usual commentary and an interesting heroine.

Miss Fanny Price, the poor relation of a wealthy family, possesses only natural goodness to aid her against a witty and lovely rival as they compete for the man they both love.

Isa s

When I started to read Mansfield Park I was intending to like it because I liked the other Austen books I had read before. I wasn't so sure after the first few chapters, but about 2/3 of the way I really began to enjoy it.

I think the reason why I didn't quite get the hang of it at the beginning is the fact, that Fanny isn't really part of the story. She is just a bystander and it's difficult to relate to her/the story. but once she gets more involved I began to love her and her story. I can't quite understand why some people don't like her as a character. She might not be the same personality as Emma or Lizzy, but she is amiable in her own way and I must say that I can relate to her even better than to those two (even if I love Emma and Pride and Prejudice as well). And I liked how it all played out at the end, even though I began to wish differently at some places, the end thoroughly convinced me.

A book I'll certainly read again and now I can't wait to see the BBC production to this.

Mansfield Park (Barnes & Noble Classics Series) (Barnes & Noble Classics)

Mayra Melo

This is the first time I have ever finished a Jane Austen book without feeling entirely and perfectly bewildered, dreamingly happy, and infinitely satisfied. This is a first for me.
Okay, let's not be too radical. The book is worth reading. Definitely. However, Austen has always been an immediate page-turner for me. Not this time. It certainly has its heights; it has priceless good quotes about morals and money and principle, and it is also a good book for anyone young, whose character is still forming.
It was dull at times, I have to be honest; and the ending, although PERFECTLY written for all the secondary characters, did not seem that satisfyingly romantic to me when it came to the primary characters.

(view spoiler)[ I have had Edmund as a favorite ever since the first sentence written about him in the book, but it always bothered me how Fanny loved him so desperately, and how he just considered her a sister. And it goes on like this, till the last three pages or so. I imagined the realization of his love for her would happen sooner. Even in the end he admits that her "sisterly regard for him would be foundation enough for wedded love." How very unromantic.  (hide spoiler)]

Still, Jane Austen's writing is something so uniquely amazing there is no further way to criticize this book. I strongly recommend it to any Austen fan. Or anyone at all.

Amanda Vickery

One of Jane Austen's most profound works, Mansfield Park is a subtle, moving examination of the contrast between superficial charm and true integrity. It tells the story of shy, vulnerable Fanny Price, brought up by rich relations at Mansfield Park with only her cousin Edmund as an ally. When a glamorous couple, Mary Crawford and her brother Henry, arrive from London, their charisma and reckless taste for flirtation dazzle everyone except Fanny, putting her strength of character to its greatest test.

Jade Flynn

Mansfield Park is categorically not as bad as a lot of people say it is. As a stand alone it's a pleasant and competent piece of Victorian literature. The problems arise when you compare it to Austen's other works, then for me it becomes the weakest out of her bibliography (I'm only missing Persuasion). Nonetheless, I still had a jolly good time reading this.

Mansfield Park a novel

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