"Mansfield Park" Thoughts

I finished Jane Austen's Mansfield Park on Sunday and have just now sat down with the intention of writing about my final thoughts of it. I took a day of not starting any new books or do anything book related so that I could just sit, soak in the memories of Mansfield Park and form my thoughts about it for my wrap-up post.

In my last post about Mansfield Park I wrote that I was falling in love with the book despite it having so many reviews against it. And I have to say that I finished the book absolutely loving it. While there were moments and characters in particular that drove me crazy and made me want to spit, I loved the story as a whole and Jane Austen's expert way of weaving a story that touches the heart.  It was my second book of Austen's that I have read in its entirety and was definitely worth every minute and even staying up way past my usual bedtime on Sunday to finish.

I wrote in my first post about things I loved. The slowness of the story and the character of Fanny Price. I loved those two things the entire way through. But what I didn't love one bit was the character of Mrs. Norris. OH MY GOODNESS! She was an annoying old crank who needed to get off her high horse and be put in her place! So many times when she was included in the story I would find myself reading faster just to get past her. Or shaking my head at whatever ludicrous thing she said. Or huffing out loud at her oh so precious opinion of herself or her favorite nieces. Seriously, the woman drove me crazy! I know she served a purpose in Jane Austen's mind and story. That she was (in her mind) the epitome of good-hearted old aunts and the most doting, thoughtful, well-intentioned lady of the family. But in reality, I saw her as nosy, selfish, rude, thoughtless and down-right mean. And not just towards Fanny. She pushed herself and her opinion onto Lady Bertram and Sir Thomas. And of course just had to make sure that if her opinion wasn't heard she still ended up with some credit for some hair-brained idea. I know that Jane Austen had a reason for including her character. But I am not entirely sure why. I think the story would have been drastically different and then maybe not as loveable without her character. But there were too many moments where I just rolled my eyes when she appeared. But oh well. That's just my opinion.

One other thing I loved dearly was Fanny's relationship with her brother, William. Even despite the distance and the time apart, they loved each other deeply and had each others best interests at heart every step of the way. William especially showed his care for her when the two of them went home for a visit and Fanny found herself among a family of complete strangers and treated as a complete stranger. William tried to make sure she was cared for despite only having a short-while before shipping out. The letters and the conversations Fanny shared with Edmund about William showed how much she cared for him. And I loved that. I love it when an author (any author) incorporates strong family ties. Coming from a big, loud, boisterous but amazingly loving family, I value everything that has to do with families and the important relationships that come from families. My siblings are my best friends and I love them with everything in me. My brother is my buddy. I can hang out with him despite him being 9 years younger than me and have a fantastic time. I can wrestle with him or have serious conversations. I love him and he loves me. And our family is a core piece of who we are. I love that Jane Austen included that for Fanny. I think any book and author that does that and does that well is a real gem and something to be highly valued.

I loved Mansfield Park. I really did. It is one that will definitely be re-read and one that will definitely take it's place among the many favorites I have. I can't wait to read my next book for Austen in August. I am not sure if I am going to read Pride and Prejudice (this would be a re-read) or Emma (a first time read) next. Any thoughts or suggestions on which to pick?

Happy reading!