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booksjessreads's review against another edition
challenging
funny
lighthearted
- 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
3.0
Perhaps one of my least favourite Austen novels, alongside Emma (I said what I said), I did certainly enjoy some of the themes explored in the book, I just couldn't quite get on with Fanny's character. I certainly felt like Edward was the absolute worst hero out of the Austen books. I'm not going to lie, I was annoyed that Fanny didn't refuse him. Sub-par in my opinion.
I felt like Fanny was the most quiet of the heroines in the Austen novels, she was more moralistic, but generally very passive, never speaking her mind. Due to her upbringing, its clear this behaviour is instilled in her. She is surrounded by more colourful characters which are clearly more dramatic and provide a lot of the plot-line due to their eccentricity, which Fanny, and therefore the reader, passively experiences. Although, in a way, this passivity of Fanny surrounded by her eccentric characters actually demonstrates an element of steadfastness and loyalty to her Christian virtues, rather than being swayed by the other's behaviour.
I also liked how the novel not only explored standard themes of marriage, friendship and class, but also added the theme of slavery in here with Lord Norris being a slave-trader, living in a house named Mansfield Park (named after a slave-trader who adopted a mixed-race girl and forcing her to live as an outsider). This novel was telling of the way in which richer families engaged with that aspect of their history and was an insightful element.
Despite these interesting elements of the novel, I found that Fanny's placidity meant there wasn't as much for the reader to engage with and generally found it hard to follow sometimes. The purpose is obviously to portray Fanny in a certain way, but for reader engagement and expectation, it does let it down a little.
I felt like Fanny was the most quiet of the heroines in the Austen novels, she was more moralistic, but generally very passive, never speaking her mind. Due to her upbringing, its clear this behaviour is instilled in her. She is surrounded by more colourful characters which are clearly more dramatic and provide a lot of the plot-line due to their eccentricity, which Fanny, and therefore the reader, passively experiences. Although, in a way, this passivity of Fanny surrounded by her eccentric characters actually demonstrates an element of steadfastness and loyalty to her Christian virtues, rather than being swayed by the other's behaviour.
I also liked how the novel not only explored standard themes of marriage, friendship and class, but also added the theme of slavery in here with Lord Norris being a slave-trader, living in a house named Mansfield Park (named after a slave-trader who adopted a mixed-race girl and forcing her to live as an outsider). This novel was telling of the way in which richer families engaged with that aspect of their history and was an insightful element.
Despite these interesting elements of the novel, I found that Fanny's placidity meant there wasn't as much for the reader to engage with and generally found it hard to follow sometimes. The purpose is obviously to portray Fanny in a certain way, but for reader engagement and expectation, it does let it down a little.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Minor: Slavery
phoxyphoenix's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Slavery
anna_wa's review against another edition
Too long, I am slower than my classmates, and I need to focus on other classes' homework too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Incest, Sexual content, and Slavery
veganecurrywurst's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I did not dislike the book, although in part it was rather boring. Fanny's shyness are what make her an interesting observer of the other characters. Many other readers criticised the character for not being as active, but I did not mind. Still I would have liked for her to have more of a personality. However, I have to agree with the readers, who did not like the ending. It feels quite rushed and Edmund's change of heart is much confusing. I also was disappointed in how bland Edmund was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Slavery and Medical content
gracieinhermind2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This is my least favorite Austen novel out of them all. However, it is her novel which goes into more mature topics, especially about world events which you would need to have somewhat of a knowledge of to understand the setting.
<SPOILER>
What turned me off was the relationship between cousins. Although i know it was more common during the time (learned more about it in my classes), it was not my cup of tea at all.
<SPOILER>
What turned me off was the relationship between cousins. Although i know it was more common during the time (learned more about it in my classes), it was not my cup of tea at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Slavery
everyotherpageorso's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
I love Fanny Price RABIDLY! To me, as a twenty-first century reader, it was honestly refreshing to find a character whom you could read as neurodivergent, who wasn’t also constantly shamed by the narrator.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Slavery
kestrel's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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Review | 3.5/5
To be honest, I went into this expecting to dislike it. I've started it only because reading all of the complete novels by Jane Austen is a goal I have (one more to go!).
However, I quite enjoyed myself and ended up appreciating Fanny's character so much. She is NOT weak as so many call her, she is NOT unworthy. She is someone who was treated as disposable by her own family, someone who had to hear since she had been 10 years old that she is inferior, that she should feel lucky to have the bare minimum. She is someone who struggles with anxiety and is physically weak because of the neglect and emotional abuse she had to go through. Not everyone ends up being feisty and sassy and badass after suffering. It's good to think that people go through hardships in different ways. No need to invalidate anyone.
And still, she is strong in her own way. Her moral compass is intact. She doesn't talk too much, but she observes. She knows what she wants, and doesn't let others to manipulate her into doing anything she doesn't wish to do. I really admire her.
Not gonna lie, the romance was the weakest point of the novel, since it was underdeveloped and practically happened in the last chapter.
Review | 3.5/5
To be honest, I went into this expecting to dislike it. I've started it only because reading all of the complete novels by Jane Austen is a goal I have (one more to go!).
However, I quite enjoyed myself and ended up appreciating Fanny's character so much. She is NOT weak as so many call her, she is NOT unworthy. She is someone who was treated as disposable by her own family, someone who had to hear since she had been 10 years old that she is inferior, that she should feel lucky to have the bare minimum. She is someone who struggles with anxiety and is physically weak because of the neglect and emotional abuse she had to go through. Not everyone ends up being feisty and sassy and badass after suffering. It's good to think that people go through hardships in different ways. No need to invalidate anyone.
And still, she is strong in her own way. Her moral compass is intact. She doesn't talk too much, but she observes. She knows what she wants, and doesn't let others to manipulate her into doing anything she doesn't wish to do. I really admire her.
Not gonna lie, the romance was the weakest point of the novel, since it was underdeveloped and practically happened in the last chapter.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Incest and Infidelity
Minor: Slavery
angrysmileyface's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery
aerietta's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Slavery
The Bertram family has their fortune due to the father's part in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. His being gone on business to Antigua is mentioned pretty frequently, with a direct mention of the sugar plantation and the slaves there once.