Zmeyette's Book #5: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

**Spoiler alert** (Sort of)

First off, I just have to say that I like Fanny Price alright. I just had to mention that because the usual complaint seems to be regarding Fanny Price as a character. And that is something that I don't really have much of an issue with. Granted, she's not my favorite Austen heroine, with Anne Eliott and Elizabeth Bennet still my favorites, but I don't dislike her.

Ok, so now that I have gotten that out of the way, what did I think of the book? It was ok for me, I guess. I was a bit uncomfortable with the fact that Edmund and Fanny are first cousins, because, well, in my time and place it's just illegal to get married if two people are that closely related, but since I'm assuming that it was perfectly normal and legal practice during Austen's time, I just went along with it. At times things seemed to be too dragging for me, but overall it was ok.

Mansfield Park is about Fanny Price, a girl who is taken in by her uncle and aunt to live with them, the Bertrams of Mansfield Park. Because of her lower status, she was quite neglected by most of the family who took her in, and though not really abused, their treatment of Fanny wasn't really the best that it could be. Mrs. Norris, Fanny's other aunt, was especially mean to her (I am actually wondering if this is where Rowling got the name for Filch's cat. Mrs. Norris here was certainly annoying.). The only person who really took notice and was kind to Fanny was Edmund, her cousin, and as they grew up, Fanny fell in love with him.

Things are shaken up with the arrival of the Crawford siblings, as Mary Crawford sets her sights on Edmund, and Henry proposes to Fanny (I think I paraphrased what was written in the jacket of the book.). Fanny agonizes with every passing day that Mary Crawford and Edmund might get engaged, while no one can understand why Fanny was so adamant in not accepting Henry Crawford's proposal when it seemed to be very favorable to her, what with Henry's status and connections, because no one knew of Fanny's secret love for Edmund.

I admit, I fell for Austen's trap. At some point in the book, I wanted Henry to win Fanny. Why? Because I think he really fell in love with Fanny, and for all his faults, I think it was sweet how he fell for Fanny and how in love he was. But alas, he's not the main character, and I think it was shown that his flaws really run deep, and so he really isn't fit for Fanny.

Although, don't get me wrong, I don't think Fanny is a perfect quiet girl. She also has her flaws, she's quite stubborn and well, she's in love, so I can see how she might be a bit biased against Mary Crawford, although she was ultimately right about her. Edmund too, obviously, since during the time he was in love with Mary Crawford he was also quite blind to her flaws.

I am just annoyed at the fact that Mary and Edmund's and Fanny and Henry's courtship went far longer than the main love story which was between Fanny and Edmund. I mean, what on earth? I would have liked to see it really develop, and the way I read it, it felt as if it was an afterthought, a blip in the end, a loose knot tied in a rush to end the thing. I would have thought that Fanny deserved better, but in the end it was as if she was still a second choice, or something like that. In that sense, I admire Henry Crawford more than Edmund Bertram. At least Henry was quick to see Fanny for the precious character that she is, it's just too bad that he let go of it. In that, he was stupid.

And again, I must clarify (because I am such a longwinded writer) that I like Edmund alright. He was nice to Fanny when everyone else took her for granted, and I really like those kinds of scenarios and characters. Oh, well...

All in all, not the best for me, but it was a good read. Gotta love Austen.


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Classic Romance/Angst: Persuasion

This one I started reading because I bought the book as part of my Jane Austen collection. I got bored with the first few pages the first time I read it, then decided to read it again today.

This time, I kinda skimmed through those boring first pages (I'll read them with greater interest next time, but for now my excuse was that I've already read those) and then I didn't stop til I reached the finish. At one point I had to stop because... wait for it... I squealed like a giddy teenager watching a kissing scene in her favorite cheesy flick. Yeah, something like that.

This is because it's not just angst that hooks me into a certain story. Romance also does it. I am so into Pride and Prejudice, if you must know (I may write about that someday). If it has a healthy dose of angst (meaning not enough to make me want to kill myself, but enough to squeeze my heart) then it's a lovely combination.

Sweet romance + an edge of bitter angst = Happy Zmeyette! Hahaha

Wow, it's kinda scary to be making a sort-of-review for something that I know literary scholars have studied over years. But I really enjoyed reading Persuasion, and since I come from the Romance/Angst point of view from now, I'll say that I really love Anne Elliot. I love Elizabeth Bennet the most, but Anne Elliot is running a close second in my heart.

Am I so evil as to liking the fact that for the most part of the novel, Anne's conflicts and pain are hers and something she usually cannot share to others? Those knowing glances, statements with underlying meanings, secrets, and a quite painful past, these are things that I really enjoy, and stuff that I found in the novel. A heroine whose value is not properly acknowledged is something that I like too, and something that Anne Elliot has in common with my beloved Elizabeth Bennet. When you have a character like Anne's, it makes you feel something along the lines of, "Ha! You think she's not important or fine, but I know better." I don't think I explained it well, but that's basically it.

Of course, you gotta love the prince charming as well. The prince charming who was deemed unfit for Anne Elliot, also has angst on his part. Imagine being turned down not because the lady didn't like you, but because she was persuaded by the people around her. Quite a blow, isn't it? Well, that is the past of the pair in focus in this novel (this isn't really a spoiler because I saw this on the back of the book :P). So that is where the conflict, especially the internal conflict of Anne, stems from.

But I digress, since I was supposed to be talking about Anne's dashing naval officer. Hm, I guess I just would have to say, remember the part where I said I squealed like a teenager? Well, that was because of the prince charming's words. Goodness, when it comes to letters, this guy's is shorter than Mr. Darcy's, but I have to say I felt it more. In Mr. Darcy's defense, their letters are of quite different natures. But still... XD

Really, this novel, though quite shorter than other Jane Austen works I have read, is something that took a place in my heart. I honestly can't wait to read it again.

What is your favorite Jane Austen novel?

P.S. This review isn't as comprehensive as I wanted it to be, and may be a bit scattered. I totally blame the frog who threw me out of my wits tonight. Boo.