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Outmatched: A Mansfield Park / Sense & Sensibility Vagary
“It seems you must disoblige one of your children, Sir Thomas, and you must be the chooser of the pain inflicted. Your son disinherited, or your daughter married to an imbecile she cannot love.”
When Sir Thomas Bertram returns home to Mansfield after his year in Antigua, he expects respite from his many troubles, in the bosom of his family. Instead he is met with blackmail, collusion, and the ominous threat of scandal.
When Mrs. Margaret Dashwood takes her daughters from Norland to Barton Park, she carries with her a secret hope that they might someday return, though she is not yet ready to pay the price for it.
A mutual connection bent on manipulation and revenge sets the stage for heartbreak, intrigue, and plenty of surprises as the worlds of Sense & Sensibility and Mansfield Park collide. Alliances shift along the way as familiar characters, bound by family ties, descend on Norland Park. There everyone has their own agenda, and constant peril looms as a large party of relations all scheme to outwit, out-maneuver, and outmatch their opponents.
Elinor & Marianne Dashwood, Maria Bertram, Fanny Price, and Mary Crawford forge new friendships and alliances amidst the chaos of conspiracy, romance, redemption and self-discovery, the likes of which Norland Park has never seen before.
When Sir Thomas Bertram returns home to Mansfield after his year in Antigua, he expects respite from his many troubles, in the bosom of his family. Instead he is met with blackmail, collusion, and the ominous threat of scandal.
When Mrs. Margaret Dashwood takes her daughters from Norland to Barton Park, she carries with her a secret hope that they might someday return, though she is not yet ready to pay the price for it.
A mutual connection bent on manipulation and revenge sets the stage for heartbreak, intrigue, and plenty of surprises as the worlds of Sense & Sensibility and Mansfield Park collide. Alliances shift along the way as familiar characters, bound by family ties, descend on Norland Park. There everyone has their own agenda, and constant peril looms as a large party of relations all scheme to outwit, out-maneuver, and outmatch their opponents.
Elinor & Marianne Dashwood, Maria Bertram, Fanny Price, and Mary Crawford forge new friendships and alliances amidst the chaos of conspiracy, romance, redemption and self-discovery, the likes of which Norland Park has never seen before.
380 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 19, 2025
A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor's. ~ Richard Whately
Do you agree with me that Fanny Dashwood is far and away the most villainous of all the Austen women? Yes, Caroline Bingley has a vicious tongue. Yes, Lady Catherine puts herself ahead of all others. Yes, Mrs. Elton raises her importance by lowering everyone else. Yes, Aunt Norris does everything in her power to belittle Fanny Price.
But power is just the thing: other than their words, Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine, Mrs. Elton, and Aunt Norris have no actual power over any of the people they attempt to control.
On the other hand, Fanny Dashwood influences her weak-willed husband and impoverishes a widow with three daughters out of her own greed.
So, if you agree that Fanny Dashwood is evil, the question is: do you like to see villains receive comeuppance in kind? If you do, this is a book for you.
Money is like water: in sufficient volume, it erodes the bedrock of principle, and cuts its own channel. ~ Dr. Idel Dreimer
The story opens at the point in Mansfield Park when Sir Thomas Bertram returns from Antigua. He is unimpressed with James Rushworth and supports Maria when she breaks off her engagement to Rushworth in favor of Henry Crawford. Soon he receives a visit from Prudence Rushworth, mother to James.
As a very young unmarried man, Sir Thomas had committed an indiscretion with a woman who was betrothed to another man. When that woman gave birth sooner than her marriage would indicate she should, Sir Thomas knew he had a son. How did Mrs. Rushworth learn his secret? What blackmail does she plan? What can he do to forestall her revenge?
In this crossover between “Mansfield Park” and “Sense and Sensibility” relationships exist between characters in the two novels. Mrs. Rushworth is aunt to the second Mrs. Dashwood, mother of three daughters. The Ward sisters (Mrs. Price, Mrs. Norris and Lady Bertram) are sisters to Henry Dashwood, father of John from his first marriage and Elinor, Marianne and Margaret from his second marriage.
A reunion of this extended family is set at Norland Park, home of the Dashwoods. The “family” extends outward to include Willoughby (nearly betrothed to a Dashwood), the Crawford siblings (nearly betrothed to two of the Bertrams) and Mrs. Jennings (who loves betrothals above all things and hates to miss anything). Not to be left behind are Mrs. Rushworth and her son (recently un-betrothed). Colonel Brandon (also not betrothed) arrives late to the party in search of his ward, Eliza.
Romances develop with different pairings than in canon. Early on, it was difficult to keep characters straight but we have our Dear Jane Austen (who had favorite character names and used them again and again) to hold accountable for that. In this crossover, we have two Fannys (Price and Dashwood), a Maria (Bertram), a Marianne (Dashwood) and a Mary (Crawford). We even have an Edmund (Bertram) and an Edward (Ferrars)!
It was fun seeing couples re-arrange themselves and most of the match-ups seemed very workable. A few romances were questionable but the virtuous characters had happy endings. Oh, and Fanny Dashwood … not so much!
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. ~ Oscar Wilde
Do you agree with me that Fanny Dashwood is far and away the most villainous of all the Austen women? Yes, Caroline Bingley has a vicious tongue. Yes, Lady Catherine puts herself ahead of all others. Yes, Mrs. Elton raises her importance by lowering everyone else. Yes, Aunt Norris does everything in her power to belittle Fanny Price.
But power is just the thing: other than their words, Miss Bingley, Lady Catherine, Mrs. Elton, and Aunt Norris have no actual power over any of the people they attempt to control.
On the other hand, Fanny Dashwood influences her weak-willed husband and impoverishes a widow with three daughters out of her own greed.
So, if you agree that Fanny Dashwood is evil, the question is: do you like to see villains receive comeuppance in kind? If you do, this is a book for you.
Money is like water: in sufficient volume, it erodes the bedrock of principle, and cuts its own channel. ~ Dr. Idel Dreimer
The story opens at the point in Mansfield Park when Sir Thomas Bertram returns from Antigua. He is unimpressed with James Rushworth and supports Maria when she breaks off her engagement to Rushworth in favor of Henry Crawford. Soon he receives a visit from Prudence Rushworth, mother to James.
As a very young unmarried man, Sir Thomas had committed an indiscretion with a woman who was betrothed to another man. When that woman gave birth sooner than her marriage would indicate she should, Sir Thomas knew he had a son. How did Mrs. Rushworth learn his secret? What blackmail does she plan? What can he do to forestall her revenge?
In this crossover between “Mansfield Park” and “Sense and Sensibility” relationships exist between characters in the two novels. Mrs. Rushworth is aunt to the second Mrs. Dashwood, mother of three daughters. The Ward sisters (Mrs. Price, Mrs. Norris and Lady Bertram) are sisters to Henry Dashwood, father of John from his first marriage and Elinor, Marianne and Margaret from his second marriage.
A reunion of this extended family is set at Norland Park, home of the Dashwoods. The “family” extends outward to include Willoughby (nearly betrothed to a Dashwood), the Crawford siblings (nearly betrothed to two of the Bertrams) and Mrs. Jennings (who loves betrothals above all things and hates to miss anything). Not to be left behind are Mrs. Rushworth and her son (recently un-betrothed). Colonel Brandon (also not betrothed) arrives late to the party in search of his ward, Eliza.
Romances develop with different pairings than in canon. Early on, it was difficult to keep characters straight but we have our Dear Jane Austen (who had favorite character names and used them again and again) to hold accountable for that. In this crossover, we have two Fannys (Price and Dashwood), a Maria (Bertram), a Marianne (Dashwood) and a Mary (Crawford). We even have an Edmund (Bertram) and an Edward (Ferrars)!
It was fun seeing couples re-arrange themselves and most of the match-ups seemed very workable. A few romances were questionable but the virtuous characters had happy endings. Oh, and Fanny Dashwood … not so much!
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live. ~ Oscar Wilde
April 24, 2021
My Rating: 4.5* rounded up to 5*
Diabolically diverting! Devilishly dramatic!
What can I say but that I thoroughly enjoyed this collision of characters from Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility. Ms. Bamber takes all the characters from both novels and sets them on a course that will upend their lives and our way of seeing them...or not.
"Unwise? Where there is suspicion, it is always wise to act." (quote from the book)
Sir Thomas Bertram returns to Mansfield Park after being away in Antigua for a year. Returning home is not the welcome respite he had been expecting. His daughter Maria's engagement to James Rushworth of Sotherton Court, his second son Bertram's interest in Mary Crawford, and the flirting going on between Maria and Henry Crawford causes much speculation. Soon things start to fall apart and scandal is looming. Threats and blackmail soon follows.
"Yes, a case of some delicacy." (quote from the book)
When a deep buried secret comes to light upon the death of Henry Dashwood, Elinor and Marianne's father, its tentacles reach out to haunt the current lives of the Bertrams and the Dashwoods Their half-brother, John Dashwood, and his ambitious and money hungry wife Fanny, inherit Norland Park.
"The easiest path is not always right." (quote from the book)
This is an intricately webbed story that changes up the dynamics of certain characters and their relationships. Ms. Bamber has definitely provided us great drama and delved into the mindset of the characters. I loved her development of certain ones...Fanny Price certainly stood out for me as did Mary Crawford, James Rushworth, and even Edmund Bertram.
"We live in a world where there is much to be gained from tearing others down. You will not do so, and I think it shows a strength of character that ought to be valued more." (quote from the book)
I thoroughly enjoyed this mash-up. It may appear at first to be a slow build up, but that is part of the suspense for the characters and for the reader. There are wonderful romantic moments between certain characters too.
"She looked back at Colonel Brandon, savoring the expression upon his countenance, pensive and enigmatic, sorrowful and yet hopeful - and such intelligence about the eyes. What a man!" (quote from the book)
I did have my quibbles, especially near the end with two characters. My initial reaction was 'What just happened?' and it didn't sit well with me. The ending was just a bit over-the-top and quickly came to a conclusion...though there is an epilogue that I did appreciate.
I do highly recommend this vagary and I look forward to reading Ms. Bamber's next novel!
Diabolically diverting! Devilishly dramatic!
What can I say but that I thoroughly enjoyed this collision of characters from Mansfield Park and Sense & Sensibility. Ms. Bamber takes all the characters from both novels and sets them on a course that will upend their lives and our way of seeing them...or not.
"Unwise? Where there is suspicion, it is always wise to act." (quote from the book)
Sir Thomas Bertram returns to Mansfield Park after being away in Antigua for a year. Returning home is not the welcome respite he had been expecting. His daughter Maria's engagement to James Rushworth of Sotherton Court, his second son Bertram's interest in Mary Crawford, and the flirting going on between Maria and Henry Crawford causes much speculation. Soon things start to fall apart and scandal is looming. Threats and blackmail soon follows.
"Yes, a case of some delicacy." (quote from the book)
When a deep buried secret comes to light upon the death of Henry Dashwood, Elinor and Marianne's father, its tentacles reach out to haunt the current lives of the Bertrams and the Dashwoods Their half-brother, John Dashwood, and his ambitious and money hungry wife Fanny, inherit Norland Park.
"The easiest path is not always right." (quote from the book)
This is an intricately webbed story that changes up the dynamics of certain characters and their relationships. Ms. Bamber has definitely provided us great drama and delved into the mindset of the characters. I loved her development of certain ones...Fanny Price certainly stood out for me as did Mary Crawford, James Rushworth, and even Edmund Bertram.
"We live in a world where there is much to be gained from tearing others down. You will not do so, and I think it shows a strength of character that ought to be valued more." (quote from the book)
I thoroughly enjoyed this mash-up. It may appear at first to be a slow build up, but that is part of the suspense for the characters and for the reader. There are wonderful romantic moments between certain characters too.
"She looked back at Colonel Brandon, savoring the expression upon his countenance, pensive and enigmatic, sorrowful and yet hopeful - and such intelligence about the eyes. What a man!" (quote from the book)
I did have my quibbles, especially near the end with two characters. My initial reaction was 'What just happened?' and it didn't sit well with me. The ending was just a bit over-the-top and quickly came to a conclusion...though there is an epilogue that I did appreciate.
I do highly recommend this vagary and I look forward to reading Ms. Bamber's next novel!
May 20, 2020
Oh what a tangled they did weave to confound and deceive. Some "interesting" pairings and some horrid ones!!! And my #1 JAFF rule violated...although considering whom I won't take off more than .5 for that. And at least a .5 for some of the pairings. Also, one of the pairings could have had a more complete ending. Not really chaste in certain moments.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 6, 2021
Secrets, Schemes, Scandals, and Surprises!
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Sense and Sensibility/Mansfield Park Variation
THE PREMISE: The Dashwoods are cousins to both the Bertrams and the Rushworths, and not long after the death of Henry Dashwood, a shocking and scandalous secret from Sir Thomas Bertram’s past threatens to become unearthed and ruin the lives of many. So off to Norland everyone goes – for protection, for justice, for control, for explanation, for mayhem, and for love…
MY THOUGHTS:
What a smashing mash-up of these two novels!! Jayne Bamber cleverly ties these families together and creates some unexpected new drama involving secret affairs and rightful heirs. And the result is an enormous house party at Norland where almost everyone is in attendance, almost everyone has a secret or knows of someone else’s secret, and almost everyone winds up being paired differently than in canon. I quite loved all the drama and scheming of this premise. It felt plausible that such amazingly selfish characters would engage in such manipulative and self-preserving endeavors.
What I loved most about this story was seeing all these characters together and witnessing all the new friendships, romances, and conflicts this gathering created. It felt very much like a Shakespearean comedy at times as we observed all these “players” speculating about each other, forming alliances, and overhearing private conversations. I especially enjoyed Ms. Bamber’s original character addition of Mrs. Prudence Rushworth – she has power, she has knowledge, and she has a vendetta against the Bertrams and the John Dashwoods. Mrs. Rushworth is very much the driver in this crazy clown bus, but even she doesn’t always have complete control of the vehicle!
I don’t want to spoil any of the fun of the surprisingly altered romantic pairings, but I will say that I loved how some characters who were previously a little on the duller side became much more dynamic and expressive, and how some characters found a partner that is much more deserving of them than who they end up in canon. In most of the pairings, Ms. Bamber constructs credible and satisfying romances that were a delight to explore. However, there were maybe one or two characters that I couldn’t quite get a good read on – it felt like I was never sure if they were sincere and if their feelings of love were genuine, or if they were merely playacting.
My main quibble for this story is that it sometimes felt a little uneven. In some parts there is a lot of narration with more telling verses showing, and in other parts the action is very swift and almost too brief. The same could be said about some relationships. In addition, it did feel like the promised highly dramatic and climatic reveal – that was looming overhead for almost the entire novel – took an odd and depressing turn very suddenly. It might be the events itself or just that there wasn’t enough page time, but I was hoping for a little more with this story’s conclusion.
However, despite those quibbles I really appreciated the novelty of reading a Sense and Sensibility/Mansfield Park mash-up variation, and I applaud Jayne Bamber for her inventive premise, thoughtful character transformations, and the delicious devilry she employs. Outmatched is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy stories filled with schemers and secrets, matchmaking and mayhem, or who have at one time thought that some of Jane Austen characters would be better off marrying someone else!
Austenesque Reviews
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Source: Review Copy from Author
TYPE OF NOVEL: Sense and Sensibility/Mansfield Park Variation
THE PREMISE: The Dashwoods are cousins to both the Bertrams and the Rushworths, and not long after the death of Henry Dashwood, a shocking and scandalous secret from Sir Thomas Bertram’s past threatens to become unearthed and ruin the lives of many. So off to Norland everyone goes – for protection, for justice, for control, for explanation, for mayhem, and for love…
MY THOUGHTS:
What a smashing mash-up of these two novels!! Jayne Bamber cleverly ties these families together and creates some unexpected new drama involving secret affairs and rightful heirs. And the result is an enormous house party at Norland where almost everyone is in attendance, almost everyone has a secret or knows of someone else’s secret, and almost everyone winds up being paired differently than in canon. I quite loved all the drama and scheming of this premise. It felt plausible that such amazingly selfish characters would engage in such manipulative and self-preserving endeavors.
What I loved most about this story was seeing all these characters together and witnessing all the new friendships, romances, and conflicts this gathering created. It felt very much like a Shakespearean comedy at times as we observed all these “players” speculating about each other, forming alliances, and overhearing private conversations. I especially enjoyed Ms. Bamber’s original character addition of Mrs. Prudence Rushworth – she has power, she has knowledge, and she has a vendetta against the Bertrams and the John Dashwoods. Mrs. Rushworth is very much the driver in this crazy clown bus, but even she doesn’t always have complete control of the vehicle!
I don’t want to spoil any of the fun of the surprisingly altered romantic pairings, but I will say that I loved how some characters who were previously a little on the duller side became much more dynamic and expressive, and how some characters found a partner that is much more deserving of them than who they end up in canon. In most of the pairings, Ms. Bamber constructs credible and satisfying romances that were a delight to explore. However, there were maybe one or two characters that I couldn’t quite get a good read on – it felt like I was never sure if they were sincere and if their feelings of love were genuine, or if they were merely playacting.
My main quibble for this story is that it sometimes felt a little uneven. In some parts there is a lot of narration with more telling verses showing, and in other parts the action is very swift and almost too brief. The same could be said about some relationships. In addition, it did feel like the promised highly dramatic and climatic reveal – that was looming overhead for almost the entire novel – took an odd and depressing turn very suddenly. It might be the events itself or just that there wasn’t enough page time, but I was hoping for a little more with this story’s conclusion.
However, despite those quibbles I really appreciated the novelty of reading a Sense and Sensibility/Mansfield Park mash-up variation, and I applaud Jayne Bamber for her inventive premise, thoughtful character transformations, and the delicious devilry she employs. Outmatched is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy stories filled with schemers and secrets, matchmaking and mayhem, or who have at one time thought that some of Jane Austen characters would be better off marrying someone else!
Austenesque Reviews
September 8, 2022
Scandal. Intrigue. Blackmail. Shocking indiscretions.
A few twists you'll never see coming including romantic pairings that you just might like better than the originals.
Jayne Bamber always has such a unique and clever perspective but I think this just might be her best book yet.
I did myself a serious disservice by avoiding this book because Pride and Prejudice characters were not included.
A few twists you'll never see coming including romantic pairings that you just might like better than the originals.
Jayne Bamber always has such a unique and clever perspective but I think this just might be her best book yet.
I did myself a serious disservice by avoiding this book because Pride and Prejudice characters were not included.
May 30, 2020
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars
The author gives us a list of characters in the beginning and I was very glad to see that as I paused many times trying to remember who was who. There are some new characters also to be figured into the mix.
Coming together at Norland all the characters are either related or have some important role to play in the lives of John and Fanny Ferrars, their host and hostess. The group has been invited as one person manipulates knowledge of a past indiscretion to gain her own ending.
All the pairings that you might know from the two Jane Austen novels are undone and remade in this vagary. Elinor Dashwood does not marry Edward Ferrars. Plus Lucy Steele showing up and trying to claim him has a dark ending. Willoughby and Marianne Dashwood have a happier future but it is "touch and go" as Colonel Brandon tracks down his ward, Eliza, and has to sort out the mess she has gotten herself into. As a result Willoughby is not only facing Brandon's wrath but also his aunt's who frowns on rakish behavior and, as in canon, has ordered him to find a rich heiress to marry.
Then there is Fanny Price. Her Uncle Thomas Bertram wants her to have her come out and she is noticed by several men but, as in canon, she is insightful enough not to trust the one man's flirtations. You will be surprised to read about who comes to appreciate her honest and respectable behavior and steps in to protect her. Maria Bertram is walking a fine line and as her father is being "blackmailed" has to rethink her engagement with James Rushmore vs her attraction to and relationship with Henry Crawford. James' mother is determined that her son will have what makes him happy but is he changing his mind?
Edmund Bertram is another person who is paired off differently in this tale as is his sister, Julia.
Back to the Colonel...and it is not Marianne we find him involved with...would you believe...no, I am not going to tell you that one.
This story did not really have the angst I like and at times it was slow reading. I won a copy of this story during a blog raffle and so was determined to finish it. The author was very creative in her matchmaking and was not just randomly pairing different people together. She build the characters' behavior and interactions so that you accepted the new pairings.
The author gives us a list of characters in the beginning and I was very glad to see that as I paused many times trying to remember who was who. There are some new characters also to be figured into the mix.
Coming together at Norland all the characters are either related or have some important role to play in the lives of John and Fanny Ferrars, their host and hostess. The group has been invited as one person manipulates knowledge of a past indiscretion to gain her own ending.
All the pairings that you might know from the two Jane Austen novels are undone and remade in this vagary. Elinor Dashwood does not marry Edward Ferrars. Plus Lucy Steele showing up and trying to claim him has a dark ending. Willoughby and Marianne Dashwood have a happier future but it is "touch and go" as Colonel Brandon tracks down his ward, Eliza, and has to sort out the mess she has gotten herself into. As a result Willoughby is not only facing Brandon's wrath but also his aunt's who frowns on rakish behavior and, as in canon, has ordered him to find a rich heiress to marry.
Then there is Fanny Price. Her Uncle Thomas Bertram wants her to have her come out and she is noticed by several men but, as in canon, she is insightful enough not to trust the one man's flirtations. You will be surprised to read about who comes to appreciate her honest and respectable behavior and steps in to protect her. Maria Bertram is walking a fine line and as her father is being "blackmailed" has to rethink her engagement with James Rushmore vs her attraction to and relationship with Henry Crawford. James' mother is determined that her son will have what makes him happy but is he changing his mind?
Edmund Bertram is another person who is paired off differently in this tale as is his sister, Julia.
Back to the Colonel...and it is not Marianne we find him involved with...would you believe...no, I am not going to tell you that one.
This story did not really have the angst I like and at times it was slow reading. I won a copy of this story during a blog raffle and so was determined to finish it. The author was very creative in her matchmaking and was not just randomly pairing different people together. She build the characters' behavior and interactions so that you accepted the new pairings.
November 3, 2024
Ever wonder what a pair of Jane Austen novels would look like if Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream got loose in them? Let me tell you, it was intriguing and entertaining leaving me with a bemused expression for all the mix-ups, match-ups, and tension-filled romantic and gothic plot threads.
Outmatched as the sub-title states is a mash-up of two of Jane Austen's novels. Knowing both novels well, I was curious as could be for how they would come together and become one plot. I think that was the most fascinating piece for me along with the far out, but oddly workable pairings that came about.
Interesting choice for the main mover and shaker of the piece being none other than Mrs. Rushworth who barely figures in the original. That is one of the bits that got an approving nod. I do love seeing minor characters getting their turn to shine when I pick up a variation. In truth, several minor characters were front and center in new ways. Not the least of which was the primary setting, Norland, the Dashwood estate from S&S.
The story begins for Mansfield Park just after Sir Thomas Bertram returns from Antigua and interrupts the smoldering family theatrical party and discovers Maria is more interested in Henry Crawford than her fiance, Mr. Rushworth. For Sense & Sensibility, this story picks up after the Dashwood ladies have removed from Norland because John Dashwood ignores the spirit of his father's will for greed and won't support them financially and they live in Devonshire where Marianne and Willoughby fall in love.
Due to a disgracing secret from Sir Thomas' past that affects every single primary and secondary character from MP and S&S which Mrs. Rushworth is determined to exploit because of revenge for her son and a sense of injustice to her niece and great-nieces, the Dashwood ladies, all parties end up at Norland including the Rushworths, Dashwoods, Bertrams, Crawfords, Fanny Price, Mrs. Jennings, and Colonel Brandon. Norland becomes a hotbed of plots and ploys, romantic entanglements, and scenes of high drama in a lightly done tone. I will leave the reader in suspense of what amazing couples form out of the younger set even as Sir Thomas and Mrs. Rushworth lock mental swords in a battle of schemes.
Likely, a great amount of Austen-loving readers will be appalled by some of the pairings. Some really had me sitting up and taking notice. I have to say that I wasn't so adverse to these because I really felt these were Jayne Bamber's characters with a resemblance to Jane Austen's, if that makes sense. For the longest time, I was concentrating on getting the family relationships untangled in my mind and then I was caught in thought about how one man's weakness affected so many and the repercussions it had. But, then I was highly amused at the odd lot the John Dashwoods were hosting for a country house party at Norland. Yes, in truth, I couldn't take the book seriously and got a kick out of the whole thing.
So, I would recommend it for those who want something of a madcap romp and a little zany with a dash of gothic. I would definitely recommend it to those who are semi-familiar with the summaries of both books so the background stories and large cast of characters make better sense to the reader.
Outmatched as the sub-title states is a mash-up of two of Jane Austen's novels. Knowing both novels well, I was curious as could be for how they would come together and become one plot. I think that was the most fascinating piece for me along with the far out, but oddly workable pairings that came about.
Interesting choice for the main mover and shaker of the piece being none other than Mrs. Rushworth who barely figures in the original. That is one of the bits that got an approving nod. I do love seeing minor characters getting their turn to shine when I pick up a variation. In truth, several minor characters were front and center in new ways. Not the least of which was the primary setting, Norland, the Dashwood estate from S&S.
The story begins for Mansfield Park just after Sir Thomas Bertram returns from Antigua and interrupts the smoldering family theatrical party and discovers Maria is more interested in Henry Crawford than her fiance, Mr. Rushworth. For Sense & Sensibility, this story picks up after the Dashwood ladies have removed from Norland because John Dashwood ignores the spirit of his father's will for greed and won't support them financially and they live in Devonshire where Marianne and Willoughby fall in love.
Due to a disgracing secret from Sir Thomas' past that affects every single primary and secondary character from MP and S&S which Mrs. Rushworth is determined to exploit because of revenge for her son and a sense of injustice to her niece and great-nieces, the Dashwood ladies, all parties end up at Norland including the Rushworths, Dashwoods, Bertrams, Crawfords, Fanny Price, Mrs. Jennings, and Colonel Brandon. Norland becomes a hotbed of plots and ploys, romantic entanglements, and scenes of high drama in a lightly done tone. I will leave the reader in suspense of what amazing couples form out of the younger set even as Sir Thomas and Mrs. Rushworth lock mental swords in a battle of schemes.
Likely, a great amount of Austen-loving readers will be appalled by some of the pairings. Some really had me sitting up and taking notice. I have to say that I wasn't so adverse to these because I really felt these were Jayne Bamber's characters with a resemblance to Jane Austen's, if that makes sense. For the longest time, I was concentrating on getting the family relationships untangled in my mind and then I was caught in thought about how one man's weakness affected so many and the repercussions it had. But, then I was highly amused at the odd lot the John Dashwoods were hosting for a country house party at Norland. Yes, in truth, I couldn't take the book seriously and got a kick out of the whole thing.
So, I would recommend it for those who want something of a madcap romp and a little zany with a dash of gothic. I would definitely recommend it to those who are semi-familiar with the summaries of both books so the background stories and large cast of characters make better sense to the reader.
November 24, 2020
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars
December 31, 2024
In this variation, Sir Thomas Bertram is the actual father of John Dashwood, the new owner of Norland Park. But only the eldest child of Norland Snr can inherit. The Bertrams, Dashwoods, Rushworths with their guests the Crawfords and Willoughby descend on Norland Park. Will John be told, will the issue be resolved, who will find their happiness or despair.
An entertaining variation of the two stories.
An entertaining variation of the two stories.
June 21, 2020
Wow O.O I think Jane Austen would approve. Although this book wasn’t quite what I was expecting. I thought like the other book. The characters would end up with their original partners
The Affair and the major surprise death floored me
The Affair and the major surprise death floored me
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2020
I wish I could give this 10 stars
Everything that bothered me in Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility was rectified in this wonderful mash up. Edmund deserved better than Fanny. Fanny deserved better than Edmund. Col. Brandon deserved better than Marianne. Elinor deserved better than Edward. And oh how Fanny and John Dashwood deserved their comeuppance. I loved it all. I loved the reconciliation of Mrs. Price with her sister. All the scheming.... All the happily ever afters.... and I loved knowing the Crawford siblings better. My favorite mashup to date!!!!
Everything that bothered me in Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility was rectified in this wonderful mash up. Edmund deserved better than Fanny. Fanny deserved better than Edmund. Col. Brandon deserved better than Marianne. Elinor deserved better than Edward. And oh how Fanny and John Dashwood deserved their comeuppance. I loved it all. I loved the reconciliation of Mrs. Price with her sister. All the scheming.... All the happily ever afters.... and I loved knowing the Crawford siblings better. My favorite mashup to date!!!!
August 6, 2021
Read the book Abby is calling "...exciting...I guess...for people who hate Edward Ferrars, love Willoughby, and would like to see Fanny Dashwood fall down a staircase..."
Me: you know, I actually feel a little bad tearing into this one, because (for all that's so very, very, very wrong with it) I did get the impression, reading it, this was a passion project (an insane, bafflingly, laughingly bad passion project, but a passion project nonetheless) for the author. Like, you really can tell Bamber was giving it her all (which is more than I can say for the one-take wonder of the audiobook narrator I was following along with while reading).
My brain: oh, so you aren't going to bitch about this one.
Me: I said A LITTLE bad!
And I'm sorry but any author who would have this manner of blackmail on their copyright page has it coming:
"This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or given away to other people, if you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person"
Multiple copies just to share this bad fanfiction with my friends? Ha, tis to laugh. Bamber, no offense, but you're lucky you managed to get the sale of one physical book and the audio version (priced at 17.99!) out of me, for something that wasn't even GOOD, pray don't push it.
That said, before I light into all my issues with this book, and oh boy it's a whooper, back up the complaint truck, beep beep, I do have to give Bamber full credit for the following three things:
1) she's capable of stringing a sentence together, and had to of at least re-read both Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility before writing this, because there are some minor details she noticed and does get 100% right; the exact kind of wine Fanny Price likes for instance, and I appreciate that level of dedication. It's stuff like that which convinces me this was a passion project and not just word vomit into a page over a long weekend.
2) of all things to somehow randomly get right, she writes for Susan Price (who has a very minor role in the Portsmouth scenes and in the epilogue) really, really well and I legitimately enjoyed her dialogue to the point where I thought it was way too good for this book/awful story.
"Doves and trumpets, you idiot" 😂
And, in an equally random throwaway line, she seems to be kinda shipping Tom/Susan?
On the one hand I love them and a Tom/Susan pairing can save an otherwise meh story for me, but given Tom isn't even in this book as more than a footnote, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to take it. You can't just spring random Tom Bertram related pairings at me at the last minute!!!
It's like Bamber just reached into her toy-chest of Austen paper caricatures she hadn't already torn to shreds or matched up and randomly pulled Tom out.
So I'm not mollified. But I'll give her a half point for that.
3) of all the overflow of astoundingly crappy couples she put together, to the point where it was getting laughable and I kept wondering if she was trolling us readers, she managed to write one couple's love story to be extremely cute, and I say that even though I don't like the pairing itself; given they're wildly out of character though, I guess that doesn't matter. They strangely work well in Bamber's weird Austen soap opera world. (More on them later in the review.)
Now, let's talk about what I didn't like.
Beginning with the plot:
How do you take what are two really interesting stories on their own and make them a boring soap?
You put them together with a convoluted plot about John Dashwood being Sir Thomas' bastard (I wish I was kidding) and Mr. Rushworth's mother planning to reveal it. That's literally the whole thing, but with random romances thrown in.
I was so excited when I heard this was going to be a crossover featuring an Edmund/Elinor love story; I think they're a great crossover pairing, but they barely featured (and, believe it or not, they're NOT the one competently written cute couple I mentioned earlier, so take from that what you will) and the story is all about Sir Thomas being a bad daddy and John Dashwood being a bad brother. They just sort of get together towards the last quarter of the book because the plot required it so Bamber could give the writer's middle finger to Edward.
The truth is, this isn't a novel for intelligent girls who liked the original, it's a fix it fic with a few more competent than average trimmings.
Congrats on breaking what wasn't broken, Bamber.
The best way I can show this is by talking about the characters and what Bamber did to "fix" them.
Edmund: this version of Edmund simply isn't even the original Edmund Bertram, he's what I like to refer to as "Mandela effect Edmund".
This is the Edmund we're conditioned to believe exists between the pages of Austen's novel by various feminist articles and biased modern book club discussions, the priggish rigid goody-goody who isn't worthy of Mary.
Bamber "cleverly" deconstructs this Edmund by having his faith in his father shattered and giving him another cousin (Elinor) to fall in love with. The problem is it's not actually clever because the problem Bamber has addressed by her treatment of this character doesn't actually exist! It's a modern hot topic with no evidence in the source material.
I wanted to see a character who actually resembled the Austen hero I like best fall in love with Elinor Dashwood, not this made up guy.
Edmund would never act like this!
Moreover, Bamber proposes that the way Edmund treats Fanny Price is babyish and infantilizing, and makes a big deal of her coming to realize this, but again, this isn't supported by the original MP text! Fanny in the original was sickly (something Bamber completely overlooks in her version, making her an active soccer hero) and no one else made sure she took care of her health but Edmund. It wasn't because he thought she was a stupid baby, in fact in the original MP it's made clear Edmund constantly recommends complicated books for Fanny to read because he wants her to have an intelligent mind.
Yet there does seem to be this weird mandela effect that leads readers who dislike Edmund or Fanny to remember her as mentally slow and coddled. Usually because of Edmund, because they like to blame him for everything. But where authors like David Liss' have used it to good effect in a throwaway line, Bamber makes the mistake of bullet pointing it into her story.
It's sort of like how a few years ago people were up in arms about the "bad morals" Disney princesses supposedly taught impressionable little girls when none of what they complained about featured in any of the actual movies. They were thinking purely of the marketing. That's what's happened with Edmund in this book.
Fanny: this again isn't Fanny Price, this is a soapbox for Bamber to "fix" nonexistent problems at top of by shouting at them. To really, really awkward effect. She can write confident girls with ease, like Susan or Mary, but she just can't do shy.
This Fanny suffers from only crippling shyness (no illness) or so we're told, because she doesn't really act shy; Bamber is quick to have a conversation with Mrs. Jennings talk her into doing a complete 180 so Fanny can suddenly be an outgoing person who TALKS about how shy she is and how she's struggling to overcome said shyness, without having to write her as actually shy.
This Fanny is also a soccer champ. And while that should annoy me, kudos where it's due, the part with her playing soccer was one of the few parts of this book I genuinely enjoyed. It was a little out of character, but I can justify it because Fanny is mentioned as dancing in the streets of Portsmouth and presumably doing physical activity as a little girl in the original MP; so it's not too great a stretch. I mean the odds of her still after all those years at Mansfield being freaking Pelé aren't great, or super believable, but I could sort of turn my brain off and enjoy that scene at least.
There's this really awkward moment where I guess Fanny was supposed to be drunk and she talks about how she doesn't want to be someone's second choice, and it was just hypocritical cringe. On the one hand, it's supposed to be a slight against Henry Crawford who only pays attention to her after he seems to have a fall out with Maria, which is fine, he deserves that, but then it kinda turns into a crap on Edmund session and it's really obvious Bamber is using this as a way of saying she doesn't like the ending of the original MP book.
To make matters weirder, Fanny IS the second choice of the person she ends up with in this book, and it's never once addressed!
I guess I can't put it off any longer. I'll just say it. The one well-written, healthy couple in this entire book, the one I mentioned earlier, is Fanny and James Rushworth.
I'm still scratching my head over this one. Has anyone shipped those two EVER? Is this a thing? I mean, I'm glad she didn't end up with Henry, and their cute little romance was well written even with his liking Maria first never being addressed, but it's so bizarre I'm not sure how to feel about it.
I really don't think he's smart enough for her, but the story emphasizes how they were both overlooked, both like books on plants, and managed to make his following her to Portsmouth and meeting her family cute instead of creepy like when Henry did that in the original, so...
They're just so weirdly pleasant together, I did actually find myself rooting for this random couple I don't ship at all.
But the Portsmouth thing is a whole other can of worms. Arguably the best part of the whole book, along with the soccer scene, it shows a confusingly idealistic Portsmouth reunion where Fanny's suddenly super loving and down to earth poor family are really happy to see her and have her back; there are also siblings that didn't exist in the original book; she has more little sisters younger than Betsey for no explained reason, and her dead sister Mary is never mentioned.
Again, though, while comparatively well written, it felt like Bamber was just saying she knew better than Austen in regards to the Prices, and made for an awkward tone shift when this supposedly more loving version of Mrs. Price slaps Fanny across the face during a mild disagreement.
The biggest problem with Bamber's Fanny though really is how little she has in common with the original, to the point where Fanny from The Amber Cross (that's right the freaking Mansfield Park erotica, I went there) was more in character in how she interacted with the other characters, especially Edmund.
Fanny in a creepy short story where she and Edmund go at it like rabbits on Maria's grave was more in character than this, just let that sink in a moment, okay?
Mrs. Rushworth: just a nasty mean old woman whose actions eventually result in Fanny Dashwood falling to her death. I don't like Fanny Dashwood, but Jesus is this uncomfortably glossed over by the other characters at the end.
Her son was nicer and smarter than in the original though?
Elinor: she was only in this to fall in love with Edmund so the plot could move forward. And so Bamber could soapbox about what a douchebag she clearly thinks Edward Ferrars was in the original.
Marianne: this is an immature version of Marianne who never falls ill or has any personal growth and gets Willoughby just like she wanted. Pointless.
Mary Crawford: I'm torn here, on the one hand, this version of Mary is an arguably better person than Mary in the original. She's actually a good friend to Fanny Price in this, technically, and rather than enable Henry in his crap behavior, she calls him out and literally slaps him at one point.
On the other hand, this one fix-it that would actually work is ruined by having her turn out to be just as manipulative as she was in the original by the end, only it's shown as a good thing? Meh. It seems kinda amoral to me.
And I didn't like her romance with Colonel Brandon at all.
Moreover, this Regency girl power bullsheet modern historical fiction authors keep pulling is done more and more unrealistically and it's getting silly. Was it nice to see her be a better friend to Fanny? Yes. Was it realistic to how girls actually relate to one another, or their personalities? Nope. Jane Austen's Emma gave us a pretty clear view of how women relate to each other (with Harriet, Emma, and Jane Fairfax respectively) and it wasn't this polished or clean cut. But feminists don't like that just like they don't like Edmund or Edward, so let's change it apparently.
Henry Crawford: somehow he's both better than original Henry and worse at the same time!
This version of Henry is actually in love with Maria, at least, and he's not as awful to Fanny as in the original, but this whole Frank Churchill thing Bamber tried to pull off with him is super awkward and out of character. It just doesn't work. Mainly because Fanny isn't Emma; Frank teasing Emma and leading her on wasn't the nicest thing, but she could hold her own, Fanny is more timid and delicate and was in way more danger than Emma.
Julia Bertram and Edward Ferrars: in a really bizarre plot twist they pull an Atonement and go at it in the library. That's their whole relationship by the way... I'm still confused.
Eliza: she really got the shaft in this book to make Willoughby look good and it really annoyed me. Like a lot.
Maybe this book wouldn't be so bad if it were with original characters Bamber invented herself, or just a Bridgerton fanfic; in that case, it wouldn't be as ghastly. Like I said, apart from some preachiness and dullness and pacing issues, the writing itself isn't BAD, but this bastardization of Austen's clever beautiful characters is sure to leave a bad taste in the mouth of any true fans.
It's just not smart, or as witty and romantic as it seems to believe it is.
I can see teenagers maybe liking this book and then growing up and asking themselves what the heck they were thinking, but adults who like Austen? Honestly, the more glowing reviews of this one make me fear for humanity just a little.
A note: and if you're interested in the audiobook please don't be. It's really incompetently done, words are slurred and names mispronunced. It's like the narrator agreed to do it in one take, and while sloshed. She sounds okay for some of it, but listen for a few hours and you'll start to notice the problems with it pretty quickly.
Me: you know, I actually feel a little bad tearing into this one, because (for all that's so very, very, very wrong with it) I did get the impression, reading it, this was a passion project (an insane, bafflingly, laughingly bad passion project, but a passion project nonetheless) for the author. Like, you really can tell Bamber was giving it her all (which is more than I can say for the one-take wonder of the audiobook narrator I was following along with while reading).
My brain: oh, so you aren't going to bitch about this one.
Me: I said A LITTLE bad!
And I'm sorry but any author who would have this manner of blackmail on their copyright page has it coming:
"This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only, and may not be resold or given away to other people, if you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person"
Multiple copies just to share this bad fanfiction with my friends? Ha, tis to laugh. Bamber, no offense, but you're lucky you managed to get the sale of one physical book and the audio version (priced at 17.99!) out of me, for something that wasn't even GOOD, pray don't push it.
That said, before I light into all my issues with this book, and oh boy it's a whooper, back up the complaint truck, beep beep, I do have to give Bamber full credit for the following three things:
1) she's capable of stringing a sentence together, and had to of at least re-read both Mansfield Park and Sense and Sensibility before writing this, because there are some minor details she noticed and does get 100% right; the exact kind of wine Fanny Price likes for instance, and I appreciate that level of dedication. It's stuff like that which convinces me this was a passion project and not just word vomit into a page over a long weekend.
2) of all things to somehow randomly get right, she writes for Susan Price (who has a very minor role in the Portsmouth scenes and in the epilogue) really, really well and I legitimately enjoyed her dialogue to the point where I thought it was way too good for this book/awful story.
"Doves and trumpets, you idiot" 😂
And, in an equally random throwaway line, she seems to be kinda shipping Tom/Susan?
On the one hand I love them and a Tom/Susan pairing can save an otherwise meh story for me, but given Tom isn't even in this book as more than a footnote, I'm not sure how I'm supposed to take it. You can't just spring random Tom Bertram related pairings at me at the last minute!!!
It's like Bamber just reached into her toy-chest of Austen paper caricatures she hadn't already torn to shreds or matched up and randomly pulled Tom out.
So I'm not mollified. But I'll give her a half point for that.
3) of all the overflow of astoundingly crappy couples she put together, to the point where it was getting laughable and I kept wondering if she was trolling us readers, she managed to write one couple's love story to be extremely cute, and I say that even though I don't like the pairing itself; given they're wildly out of character though, I guess that doesn't matter. They strangely work well in Bamber's weird Austen soap opera world. (More on them later in the review.)
Now, let's talk about what I didn't like.
Beginning with the plot:
How do you take what are two really interesting stories on their own and make them a boring soap?
You put them together with a convoluted plot about John Dashwood being Sir Thomas' bastard (I wish I was kidding) and Mr. Rushworth's mother planning to reveal it. That's literally the whole thing, but with random romances thrown in.
I was so excited when I heard this was going to be a crossover featuring an Edmund/Elinor love story; I think they're a great crossover pairing, but they barely featured (and, believe it or not, they're NOT the one competently written cute couple I mentioned earlier, so take from that what you will) and the story is all about Sir Thomas being a bad daddy and John Dashwood being a bad brother. They just sort of get together towards the last quarter of the book because the plot required it so Bamber could give the writer's middle finger to Edward.
The truth is, this isn't a novel for intelligent girls who liked the original, it's a fix it fic with a few more competent than average trimmings.
Congrats on breaking what wasn't broken, Bamber.
The best way I can show this is by talking about the characters and what Bamber did to "fix" them.
Edmund: this version of Edmund simply isn't even the original Edmund Bertram, he's what I like to refer to as "Mandela effect Edmund".
This is the Edmund we're conditioned to believe exists between the pages of Austen's novel by various feminist articles and biased modern book club discussions, the priggish rigid goody-goody who isn't worthy of Mary.
Bamber "cleverly" deconstructs this Edmund by having his faith in his father shattered and giving him another cousin (Elinor) to fall in love with. The problem is it's not actually clever because the problem Bamber has addressed by her treatment of this character doesn't actually exist! It's a modern hot topic with no evidence in the source material.
I wanted to see a character who actually resembled the Austen hero I like best fall in love with Elinor Dashwood, not this made up guy.
Edmund would never act like this!
Moreover, Bamber proposes that the way Edmund treats Fanny Price is babyish and infantilizing, and makes a big deal of her coming to realize this, but again, this isn't supported by the original MP text! Fanny in the original was sickly (something Bamber completely overlooks in her version, making her an active soccer hero) and no one else made sure she took care of her health but Edmund. It wasn't because he thought she was a stupid baby, in fact in the original MP it's made clear Edmund constantly recommends complicated books for Fanny to read because he wants her to have an intelligent mind.
Yet there does seem to be this weird mandela effect that leads readers who dislike Edmund or Fanny to remember her as mentally slow and coddled. Usually because of Edmund, because they like to blame him for everything. But where authors like David Liss' have used it to good effect in a throwaway line, Bamber makes the mistake of bullet pointing it into her story.
It's sort of like how a few years ago people were up in arms about the "bad morals" Disney princesses supposedly taught impressionable little girls when none of what they complained about featured in any of the actual movies. They were thinking purely of the marketing. That's what's happened with Edmund in this book.
Fanny: this again isn't Fanny Price, this is a soapbox for Bamber to "fix" nonexistent problems at top of by shouting at them. To really, really awkward effect. She can write confident girls with ease, like Susan or Mary, but she just can't do shy.
This Fanny suffers from only crippling shyness (no illness) or so we're told, because she doesn't really act shy; Bamber is quick to have a conversation with Mrs. Jennings talk her into doing a complete 180 so Fanny can suddenly be an outgoing person who TALKS about how shy she is and how she's struggling to overcome said shyness, without having to write her as actually shy.
This Fanny is also a soccer champ. And while that should annoy me, kudos where it's due, the part with her playing soccer was one of the few parts of this book I genuinely enjoyed. It was a little out of character, but I can justify it because Fanny is mentioned as dancing in the streets of Portsmouth and presumably doing physical activity as a little girl in the original MP; so it's not too great a stretch. I mean the odds of her still after all those years at Mansfield being freaking Pelé aren't great, or super believable, but I could sort of turn my brain off and enjoy that scene at least.
There's this really awkward moment where I guess Fanny was supposed to be drunk and she talks about how she doesn't want to be someone's second choice, and it was just hypocritical cringe. On the one hand, it's supposed to be a slight against Henry Crawford who only pays attention to her after he seems to have a fall out with Maria, which is fine, he deserves that, but then it kinda turns into a crap on Edmund session and it's really obvious Bamber is using this as a way of saying she doesn't like the ending of the original MP book.
To make matters weirder, Fanny IS the second choice of the person she ends up with in this book, and it's never once addressed!
I guess I can't put it off any longer. I'll just say it. The one well-written, healthy couple in this entire book, the one I mentioned earlier, is Fanny and James Rushworth.
I'm still scratching my head over this one. Has anyone shipped those two EVER? Is this a thing? I mean, I'm glad she didn't end up with Henry, and their cute little romance was well written even with his liking Maria first never being addressed, but it's so bizarre I'm not sure how to feel about it.
I really don't think he's smart enough for her, but the story emphasizes how they were both overlooked, both like books on plants, and managed to make his following her to Portsmouth and meeting her family cute instead of creepy like when Henry did that in the original, so...
They're just so weirdly pleasant together, I did actually find myself rooting for this random couple I don't ship at all.
But the Portsmouth thing is a whole other can of worms. Arguably the best part of the whole book, along with the soccer scene, it shows a confusingly idealistic Portsmouth reunion where Fanny's suddenly super loving and down to earth poor family are really happy to see her and have her back; there are also siblings that didn't exist in the original book; she has more little sisters younger than Betsey for no explained reason, and her dead sister Mary is never mentioned.
Again, though, while comparatively well written, it felt like Bamber was just saying she knew better than Austen in regards to the Prices, and made for an awkward tone shift when this supposedly more loving version of Mrs. Price slaps Fanny across the face during a mild disagreement.
The biggest problem with Bamber's Fanny though really is how little she has in common with the original, to the point where Fanny from The Amber Cross (that's right the freaking Mansfield Park erotica, I went there) was more in character in how she interacted with the other characters, especially Edmund.
Fanny in a creepy short story where she and Edmund go at it like rabbits on Maria's grave was more in character than this, just let that sink in a moment, okay?
Mrs. Rushworth: just a nasty mean old woman whose actions eventually result in Fanny Dashwood falling to her death. I don't like Fanny Dashwood, but Jesus is this uncomfortably glossed over by the other characters at the end.
Her son was nicer and smarter than in the original though?
Elinor: she was only in this to fall in love with Edmund so the plot could move forward. And so Bamber could soapbox about what a douchebag she clearly thinks Edward Ferrars was in the original.
Marianne: this is an immature version of Marianne who never falls ill or has any personal growth and gets Willoughby just like she wanted. Pointless.
Mary Crawford: I'm torn here, on the one hand, this version of Mary is an arguably better person than Mary in the original. She's actually a good friend to Fanny Price in this, technically, and rather than enable Henry in his crap behavior, she calls him out and literally slaps him at one point.
On the other hand, this one fix-it that would actually work is ruined by having her turn out to be just as manipulative as she was in the original by the end, only it's shown as a good thing? Meh. It seems kinda amoral to me.
And I didn't like her romance with Colonel Brandon at all.
Moreover, this Regency girl power bullsheet modern historical fiction authors keep pulling is done more and more unrealistically and it's getting silly. Was it nice to see her be a better friend to Fanny? Yes. Was it realistic to how girls actually relate to one another, or their personalities? Nope. Jane Austen's Emma gave us a pretty clear view of how women relate to each other (with Harriet, Emma, and Jane Fairfax respectively) and it wasn't this polished or clean cut. But feminists don't like that just like they don't like Edmund or Edward, so let's change it apparently.
Henry Crawford: somehow he's both better than original Henry and worse at the same time!
This version of Henry is actually in love with Maria, at least, and he's not as awful to Fanny as in the original, but this whole Frank Churchill thing Bamber tried to pull off with him is super awkward and out of character. It just doesn't work. Mainly because Fanny isn't Emma; Frank teasing Emma and leading her on wasn't the nicest thing, but she could hold her own, Fanny is more timid and delicate and was in way more danger than Emma.
Julia Bertram and Edward Ferrars: in a really bizarre plot twist they pull an Atonement and go at it in the library. That's their whole relationship by the way... I'm still confused.
Eliza: she really got the shaft in this book to make Willoughby look good and it really annoyed me. Like a lot.
Maybe this book wouldn't be so bad if it were with original characters Bamber invented herself, or just a Bridgerton fanfic; in that case, it wouldn't be as ghastly. Like I said, apart from some preachiness and dullness and pacing issues, the writing itself isn't BAD, but this bastardization of Austen's clever beautiful characters is sure to leave a bad taste in the mouth of any true fans.
It's just not smart, or as witty and romantic as it seems to believe it is.
I can see teenagers maybe liking this book and then growing up and asking themselves what the heck they were thinking, but adults who like Austen? Honestly, the more glowing reviews of this one make me fear for humanity just a little.
A note: and if you're interested in the audiobook please don't be. It's really incompetently done, words are slurred and names mispronunced. It's like the narrator agreed to do it in one take, and while sloshed. She sounds okay for some of it, but listen for a few hours and you'll start to notice the problems with it pretty quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 4, 2024I genuinely don't know how to rate this, so I won't. It was... interesting? It was a really neat idea! I've read lots of Austen-alts where the characters of her various novels all live in the "same" England and stumble across one another, but never one where they actually share the same story. So, that was a nice change.
But. The author tied everything up in a neat tidy bow--which I dislike to begin with--and the bow was... made of a very ill suiting ribbon indeed. Certain characters who, in my view, very much deserved a comeuppance did NOT receive one, and got what they wanted; and of course vice versa--some characters who were really quite innocent were extremely harmed and their harm was hand waved away.
Altogether, if you're looking for a VERY different S&S/MP take, this might be worth a read, but be prepared to feel rather frustrated by the ending.
But. The author tied everything up in a neat tidy bow--which I dislike to begin with--and the bow was... made of a very ill suiting ribbon indeed. Certain characters who, in my view, very much deserved a comeuppance did NOT receive one, and got what they wanted; and of course vice versa--some characters who were really quite innocent were extremely harmed and their harm was hand waved away.
Altogether, if you're looking for a VERY different S&S/MP take, this might be worth a read, but be prepared to feel rather frustrated by the ending.
April 16, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4. This is a difficult book to rate. I was so frustrated by the nonsensical premise and many errors that I nearly gave up two chapters in. Ok, Sir Thomas is John Dashwood’s biological father. Fine, but John Dashwood’s mother was married to Henry Dashwood when he was born, and he acknowledged John as his son. That made him legally his son. Mrs Rushworth could cause a scandal by publishing Sir Thomas’s love letters, but she couldn’t change the inheritance of Norland Park. The whole blackmail scheme would not work. Near the end of the book, a new will is magically produced which makes this whole question moot—had it been introduced at the beginning, the book would have been much less frustrating.
The will was one of multiple major divergences from Austen’s S&S which were confusing. JAFF authors should assume their readers are very familiar with the original books and be very clear when they’re changing characters’ situations. In S&S, Henry Dashwood inherits Norland from his uncle only for his lifetime, then it’s willed to John Dashwood’s son. This is presented as unfair because John Dashwood already inherited a large fortune from his mother. I assume from context that in this book, John Dashwood inherited nothing from his mother, but that should have been clearly stated.
As mentioned at the beginning, this book has many serious editing errors. Just in the first few pages: in the list of characters at the beginning, Julia Bertram is listed as “sister of Edmund and Julia Bertram,” instead of Maria; Henry Crawford is listed as an “admirer of James Rushworth” (lol for a minute I thought the book was going to make Mr Rushworth MUCH MORE interesting); and incorrect words were used such as urbane instead of mundane, reviled instead of revolted.
This book has a full star added simply because I love Mansfield Park, it’s such an under appreciated masterpiece, and I really liked how the characters were handled here, in particular Fanny Price. She’s a difficult character for modern audiences to appreciate with her timidity and shyness, but she’s my favorite Austen heroine. Her moral conviction reminds me of Jane Eyre, another personal favorite character. Most Mansfield Park variations set her up as a figure of mockery, so I really appreciated the storyline and sympathetic depiction that she got here. I was appalled when I first saw the plot leading her to Mr. Rushworth, but by the end, that pairing really worked. He is not quite in character compared to Austen, but this version of the character worked very well with Fanny.
The deaths at the end were very jarring. Obviously both characters are ones we love to hate, but presenting their deaths as essentially comic felt unnecessary.
Overall, I did quite like this book, even considering my problems with the premise. I’d give it 5* if it had better editing and ending.
The will was one of multiple major divergences from Austen’s S&S which were confusing. JAFF authors should assume their readers are very familiar with the original books and be very clear when they’re changing characters’ situations. In S&S, Henry Dashwood inherits Norland from his uncle only for his lifetime, then it’s willed to John Dashwood’s son. This is presented as unfair because John Dashwood already inherited a large fortune from his mother. I assume from context that in this book, John Dashwood inherited nothing from his mother, but that should have been clearly stated.
As mentioned at the beginning, this book has many serious editing errors. Just in the first few pages: in the list of characters at the beginning, Julia Bertram is listed as “sister of Edmund and Julia Bertram,” instead of Maria; Henry Crawford is listed as an “admirer of James Rushworth” (lol for a minute I thought the book was going to make Mr Rushworth MUCH MORE interesting); and incorrect words were used such as urbane instead of mundane, reviled instead of revolted.
This book has a full star added simply because I love Mansfield Park, it’s such an under appreciated masterpiece, and I really liked how the characters were handled here, in particular Fanny Price. She’s a difficult character for modern audiences to appreciate with her timidity and shyness, but she’s my favorite Austen heroine. Her moral conviction reminds me of Jane Eyre, another personal favorite character. Most Mansfield Park variations set her up as a figure of mockery, so I really appreciated the storyline and sympathetic depiction that she got here. I was appalled when I first saw the plot leading her to Mr. Rushworth, but by the end, that pairing really worked. He is not quite in character compared to Austen, but this version of the character worked very well with Fanny.
The deaths at the end were very jarring. Obviously both characters are ones we love to hate, but presenting their deaths as essentially comic felt unnecessary.
Overall, I did quite like this book, even considering my problems with the premise. I’d give it 5* if it had better editing and ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2023
Delicious!
I am a huge fan of Jayne Bamber and this was no exception. The mashups are wonderful and fit so well that I am sure Jane Austen herself would approve.
There is angst, romance and humour in an abundance and some wonderfully feisty women. One could almost feel sorry for the villainous men in the story. Almost ...
The ending for Austen's most reluctant of heroines, Fanny Price, was so perfect.
I listened to the audio version which was very well performed with some pronunciation errors. These did not detract from an excellent performance.
I am a huge fan of Jayne Bamber and this was no exception. The mashups are wonderful and fit so well that I am sure Jane Austen herself would approve.
There is angst, romance and humour in an abundance and some wonderfully feisty women. One could almost feel sorry for the villainous men in the story. Almost ...
The ending for Austen's most reluctant of heroines, Fanny Price, was so perfect.
I listened to the audio version which was very well performed with some pronunciation errors. These did not detract from an excellent performance.
April 24, 2022
I enjoyed this more than I expected.
While it is an unspoken rule in JA fan fiction that Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy must always end up together, there are no other such rules for the rest of her universe. This story is a intriguing example of what imagination can do, especially with a mash up! All end up with exactly what they deserve. Great read.
While it is an unspoken rule in JA fan fiction that Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy must always end up together, there are no other such rules for the rest of her universe. This story is a intriguing example of what imagination can do, especially with a mash up! All end up with exactly what they deserve. Great read.
August 19, 2025
Great Read!
Had a hard time putting this book down! It’s very well done, especially the pacing. Will read it again for sure.
Had a hard time putting this book down! It’s very well done, especially the pacing. Will read it again for sure.
February 12, 2025
This was an interesting and fun mashup. The intrigue was entertaining and for me, I really enjoyed seeing who was going to end up with who, for it became apparent early on that the characters were not going to end up with the original sets.
I like Elinor with Edmund instead of Edward. Speaking of Edward, his portrayal was bit out of character. But he's hardly in the book so it's fine. I like that Mary ended up with Col Brandon. She never really seemed completely happy with Edmund anyway, and she and Edmund were never a good fit anyhow. It did make me wonder about how Marianne and Willoughby would turn out. But then Willoughby proved to not be the rake he is in S&S so I'm happy they're together. Fanny and Rushwood seemed an unlikely pairing at first. As I read, I kept thinking that they were going to need to make him less of a buffoon than he was in MP. And indeed that happened so I'm happy that Fanny will marry well. She deserves it.
I was surprised with the ending. Didn't think there'd be deaths in the book, but I supposed the author had no other way of concluding it otherwise we know the character of Fanny Dashwood would never relent or let it go. John Dashwood, however, suits him right having to leave for Antigua. Was a little disappointed Sir Thomas was such a bad guy though. In MP, he turns ok. But for this story, it works.
Oh, and one last thing. Maybe I'm wrong, but the audiobook kept pronouncing Ferrars weird. In both the 95 movie and the 08 mini series, the name is pronounced Ferris. But the narrator kept saying Fer-rAhs or something like that. It was off-putting.
I like Elinor with Edmund instead of Edward. Speaking of Edward, his portrayal was bit out of character. But he's hardly in the book so it's fine. I like that Mary ended up with Col Brandon. She never really seemed completely happy with Edmund anyway, and she and Edmund were never a good fit anyhow. It did make me wonder about how Marianne and Willoughby would turn out. But then Willoughby proved to not be the rake he is in S&S so I'm happy they're together. Fanny and Rushwood seemed an unlikely pairing at first. As I read, I kept thinking that they were going to need to make him less of a buffoon than he was in MP. And indeed that happened so I'm happy that Fanny will marry well. She deserves it.
I was surprised with the ending. Didn't think there'd be deaths in the book, but I supposed the author had no other way of concluding it otherwise we know the character of Fanny Dashwood would never relent or let it go. John Dashwood, however, suits him right having to leave for Antigua. Was a little disappointed Sir Thomas was such a bad guy though. In MP, he turns ok. But for this story, it works.
Oh, and one last thing. Maybe I'm wrong, but the audiobook kept pronouncing Ferrars weird. In both the 95 movie and the 08 mini series, the name is pronounced Ferris. But the narrator kept saying Fer-rAhs or something like that. It was off-putting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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