Should have read classics discussion

This is another book that was tied for second in the poll so it seemed a good fit to read it for the June 2014 group read. This is a new one for me, but I do enjoy Jane Austin. Happy reading and thanks for voting!

In case anyone is interested: http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment...

Thanks for the link Emily! I'm always amazed at how often Jane Austin is in the news.

Just re-read this one while on vacation. It's been quite a while since I read it the first time.

After reading it again, (view spoiler)[ it seemed to me that the heroine, Fanny, was stuck in a passive role in this book. She was a too timid observer: bullied by her aunt, Mrs. Norris; terrified of Sir Thomas, who was quite fond of her; and afraid to let Edmund know of her feelings for him.

I did sympathize with not letting the handsome cousin know how she felt, though. That part I could understand.

The book certainly illustrated the poor relation situation, though Fanny was treated quite well overall, aside from not having a fire in her room, thanks to Mrs. Norris.

I did like the scenes with the play, though. (hide spoiler)]

I'm glad I read it again. Looking forward to hearing what others think!

(view spoiler)[ I don't think Fanny had many options as a poor relative living off richer family members. If she were too aggressive or even assertive, the family could send her back home. Being a stranger in a strange home has to be terrifying to a small, shy girl. I try to put myself in Fanny's shoes and I am not sure how I would have behaved in similar circumstances. Despite the passivity of Fanny, she ended up achieving all her dreams. Maybe that is the point Austin is making. (hide spoiler)]

Apart from Pride and Prejudice, Manfield Park is my favourite Jane Austen. So clearly shows women's lives and troubles at the time.

I will taking a 5 day course in a month at Cornell University. We will be discussing Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Can't wait for it to start.

☯Emily has reviews on Booklikes wrote: "I will taking a 5 day course in a month at Cornell University. We will be discussing Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Can't wait for it to start."

Lucky duck!

☯Emily has reviews on Booklikes wrote: "I will taking a 5 day course in a month at Cornell University. We will be discussing Mansfield Park and Persuasion. Can't wait for it to start."

Sounds like fun! I can't wait to here your insights!

2014 is the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mansfield Park. There are a lot of reviews and critiques being published. I will give the link to one article. I suggest you read it after finishing the book. http://jasnama.org/FannyPrice.html

I feel for Fanny right now. It would be hard to be shuffled around to relatives like a piece of furniture. It is nice that Edmund has taken on the role of confidant, once she lost her brother, but the moral superiority of the adults is rather hard to take.

I am still struggling through this book, but thought I would review what I have read so far! Have had to opt out of Flowers for Algernon, Because by the time I finish it will be time for Love in the Time of cholera (which I am really looking forward to and have already bought in preperation) I really liked Manfield to start off with, the characters are amusing and the story is sweet and quaint. I love Fanny and Edmunds relationship. He is lovely and by far my favorite character (except maybe Aunt Norris, who is halarious) . I also love the jealousy and tension between the younger women. I think characterisation is the definate high point of this story. Unfortuantly the issue I am having is the plot. It is not pulling me in at all, I am now about half way through and am finding most of the time I just don't want to pick up and read this book. This is also my first Austin, so unfortuantly not compelling me to read more !

I would have to agree with you. I keep picking this one up and then when it doesn't keep my attention, picking up another book. Still trying to finish it though.

The plots in JA are not the main Point THe satire of t
the norms of her times (class ,womans place,etc)are..what carries them are the characters However the plots are not exciting or unique they are simple boy and girl fall in love and get married.the deeper reflections on life are her greatness and because she is so clever and writesin such a humors way it is still fun to read 200 years later/Many of her insights are stiil relevant if you are clever enough to translate to our times them you should try Pride and Prejudice
first And then go back to MP it is more fun to read

What I find fascinating in Jane Austen though, is how current it is considering the books are ca. 200 years old. When I look at my teenage daughter and her friends and their talk and behaviour they are not so different from the girls in the book. Luckily they of course have an alternative to marriage. What is cruel to everyone is how fiercely the system puts everyone in its place never mind their character and intelligence. Even Edmund, who clearly loves Fanny, condescends to her. Whilst Aunt Norris is vile she is jut brutally honest, one thing Lady Bertram is too lazy to do, but they are on the same level. Rank and money is all.
I'm just re-reading Mansfield Park and as always I am enchanted by the witty and persuasive writing. She tells so much with so few words and with such humour. Which modern author can do the same?

If youfind one let me know.I find rosamond pilcher fun to read even though she doesn't come close to JA of course but I do find her thought provoking with timeless insights and good langugue and modest

Anybody else think that Mary Crawford got a bit of a raw deal in Mansfield Park. I feel that Edmund, who proclaimed her to be the love of his life, could have given her a bit more help and another chance. She has lost her parents very early in her life, watched a clearly unhappy marriage between her aunt and her uncle, with her uncle definitely being drunk, domineering and womanizing and her aunt having to put up with most. She has grown up in London, where Society approves and expects girls "selling" themselves for as much as they can get and without much real education. She came across as a strong, capable, bright girl; a sort of out-door girl, who is not afraid to tackle anything and does not hide behind her "feeble" female physic, but if she won't something tries to get it - and what is wrong with that. And she adored her brother, probably too much, but what are families for. She knew his faults, but wouldn't you expect a sister to try and help him get out of the mess he has got himself into? Wouldn't that be much more important even in Jane Austen's day than to "despair in shame"? And, after having loved a strong woman like that, how can you then immediately and conveniently for all turn to a girl like Fanny (who has her strength as well, but clearly will always do and say what her husband wants her too)? Mary to me is a modern girl, which is probably why I like her more than Fanny. Anybody else feel like that?

Yes, Mary Crawford had a raw deal growing up, as did Fanny. The problem with Mary was her callousness, which was clearly demonstrated when she only thought herself when she wished Thomas would die, so Edmund would inherit.

I did not dislike Mary until the end of the book. However, it was clear she was not the wife for Edmund. Mary would never have been happy married to Edmund as long as he stayed in the country and he would not have been happy in the society that Mary craved. It would have been a disastrous marriage.

You are right, it probably wouldn't have worked, but he might have had a much more exciting life and I am sure Mary could have learned. But I do think he dropped her without really trying to understand her side of the story. A bit of give and take, which is what he won't need to do at all with Fanny, who is too good to be true. Might turn out to be a bit boring, but I can see how that might suit him better. He is hardly a bundle of laughs.

Considering that this book was written as a satire on what was going on at the time, I found it to be very tongue in cheek, & quite fun! I didn't expect that out of Austen to be sure. Fanny was the typical poor girl makes good, Mary was the poor girl who tries to make good but doesn't, & I felt for her for a while, till I realized she'd turned into a bit of a bitch. I didn't find Aunt Norris to be vile at all. I thought she was a breath of fresh air. She was the dowager who told it like it was, & called things as she saw them.