You know, I’ve been contemplating adding a Jane Austen book to my binge pile and have been waffling between Persuasion which I have read twice and loved, or Mansfield Park which I have read once and, to the dismay of many particularly my graduate seminar professor, did not like.
My dislike for it was made worse because I had to write my seminar paper on the book. The professor didn’t want us all writing about the same book and so no more than two people were allowed to write about each one. She passed around a signup list. We always sat in a circle and on the evening the list went around I was sitting on the immediate right of the professor. Guess which way the list went? By the time it got to me the only spot left was for Mansfield Park.
Fortunately, I don’t still have the paper because it would probably be an embarrassment. But I was so unhappy about having to write about the book that my dislike for it flared larger than was warranted and I made a rousing argument for how horribly flawed the book was, focusing mainly on the character of Fanny and the way the book ends. I managed to dig up a few good articles to support my argument so my professor begrudgingly gave me an A-.
Time has erased my memory of the details of my dislike and I have for many years felt as though I have done the book and Austen a disservice in some way. Which brings me to why I have been thinking about reading the book again.
Today my decision to include the book in my binge pile was sealed when I came across this article about a Jane Austen exhibit, The Divine Jane: Reflections on Austen at the Morgan Library and Museum.
There was a short documentary film made especially for the exhibit, A Woman’s Wit: Jane Austen’s Life and Legacy. It’s fifteen minutes long and well worth the time. It features interviews with writers, scholars and actors all reflecting on Austen and her art and what makes it so great.
I was still waffling between choosing Persuasion or Mansfield Park when I began watching the video and it was Colm Toibin who helped me decide. At one point he suggests that taking Mansfield Park to bed is more satisfying in many ways than taking a person to bed.
I have no intention of slighting my dear husband, but it does seem like a good time to give Fanny a second chance. I’ll just have to be sure she doesn’t come to bed with me; I wouldn’t want my Bookman to get jealous.
Well, all right! Not to slight Persuasion. But now you’re in for the apricots and eggshells. I’m remembering the details of my “likes.”
I think I would have picked Persuasion for a book binge, but I appreciate Mansfield Park. Fanny’s virtues are not as easily appreciated today as Elizabeth Bennet’s or Anne Elliot’s. And unlike the other Austen heroines, Fanny is not so defiant in the face of poverty. Makes you wonder where Austen would have headed with her writing had she lived longer.
I didn’t like Mansfield Park either! But then I was reading it as part of an A level course I was taking whilst working, shortly after my first degree. The teaching, after Cambridge, was not good at all, and I gave up on the course as I was not able to work and study at the same time (which is why I have such enormous admiration for you, well, one of the reasons anyway
). It will be very interesting to hear how MP goes down a second time. I keep thinking about reading Persuasion, because I never have.
I love Mansfield Park (and Miss Price) and have had many an argument on the subject! It will be interesting to hear how you go on when you re-read it.
And I have to urge litlove to read Persuasion- it is lovely
When the movie “The Jane Austen Book Club” came out on DVD we watched it at movie night (aka “The Sanctum Sanctorum or The Royal Order of the Silver Wishbones”). My daughter-in-law (who was living with me at the time) and I went out and got the paperback version of all the Jane Austen novels we could find. I loved Persuasion, but have not gotten around to Mansfield Park – and probably won’t any time soon. So, I’ll be waiting to hear what you have to say. Lucky you to have a reading binge. Hope you’ll post on each title.
Only seen that terrible Billy Piper version of Mansfield Park so I can’t really judge (but I will anyway). Persuasion is brilliant, read it again – see if you can’t find the ITV version to watch after: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Persuasion-Complete-ITV-Adaptation-DVD/dp/B000N6U0VU
Did you not read Clarissa in the intervening years? Seems I remember you writing about it. If you think about the book as a great send up of the Gothic novel and you realize that Fanny may have the only normal/intact parent pair of all the Austen protagonists you might fine Fanny less annoying.
Enjoy -
Oh, that’s funny. I’ve never read Mansfield Park, will be looking forward to your review! PS: you can be looking forward to a letter, as I have completely given up handwriting a letter due to wrist/hand pain issues and will again resort to typing, which seems to be better for some odd reason…
I love Jane and have been wanting to re-read Pride and Prejudice for awhile, but it seems other books always get in the way… (they always look so tempting!)
I’ve read “Persuasion” before, but I’ve never read “Mansfield Park.” I loved “Persuasion” – more than I did “Pride and Prejudice” actually, but my vote’s for “Mansfield Park,” if only because I’d love to see if your opinion of the book has changed and why. I hope you like it!
My vote is also for Mansfield Park just because I haven’t read it and would love to hear your thoughts on it. Of course I just read Persuasion this summer and absolutely loved it. My favorite Austen so far!
I am SO excited about that Austen exhibit, and I swear that only death or grave illness will keep me from seeing it! This is one of those times it’s lovely to live relatively close to NYC. I’m so glad you will be reading Mansfield Park, and I hope you like it more this time through
I read Mansfield Park last year and really enjoyed it but you’re not alone in disliking it and Fanny Price!
I know it’s sacrilege for me to say it, but: I never saw what the big deal was with Jane Austen. Just not my cup of tea. I’ve been thinking I should reconsider her now that I’m older and wiser. I don’t want to reread the couple I read in my youth, so I’ve been considering Mansfield Park (actually because of the Billie Piper version). I hope your read is a satisfying one, and I look forward to hearing your reassessment!
I’d vote for Persuasion as it’s my favorite, but a reread of Mansfield Park now might be just the thing. There’s nothing worse than being forced to read something! That’s why I never read any Willa Cather in high school–she was totally forced down our throats and I rebelled. However, Willa is going to be read by me soon! I was thinking of adding a Jane Austen to my binge pile, too… Would love to see that exhibit by the way!
Amateur Reader, no eggshells please but if those are ripe apricots…I will try to like Mansfield Park. I want to be pleasantly surprised.
Sylvia, you are right, Fanny isn’t quite as self-assertive as Austen’s other heroines and that assertiveness is one of the things I love about them so much. But if I don’t get to Mansfield Park during my binge, I’m quite sure when I will manage enough mental energy to get myself to pick it up.
Litlove, do you know what a relief for me it is to hear you say that? Perhaps if I end up liking MP on this re-read you might re-read it too?
devotedreader, I look forward to hearing your arguments should my re-read not induce a new appreciation of MP
Grad, I have not seen The Jane Austen Book Club movie, perhaps I should get it while I am on my vacation. We’ll see if my reading leaves me any time. And of course I will post on each book I read, probably more than once!
Jodie, I’ve seen the version of Persuasion you refer too. It is quite good. I have not seen the MP movie though. I like Billie Piper in Doctor Who so if it is disappointing maybe I will avoid it.
Kate, oh yes, I read and ended up enjoying Clarissa. It was tough going on it though for awhile. I will keep what you say about MP in mind as I read.
Daphne, yay! A letter! No matter that it is typed. Re-reading is hard to do and I have to plan on it or I never manage it. Austen is always good for a re-read, I never feel like I am missing out on something better.
J.S., well perhaps my reading of MP will inspire, or warn you away forever. I am curious to see if my opinion changes too, it has been a very long time since I last read it.
Iliana, Persuasion is wonderful isn’t it? Austen at her best. I’ve put MP on my pile so we shall see how it goes.
Dorothy, I was hoping you’d be going to the Austen exhibit. Please take pictures if you are allowed and you must report every detail!
Carrie, MP is a difficult novel. The fact that you liked it though gives me hope that my opinion will change.
Isabella, *gasp* just kidding
You are not alone in not understanding what’s so great about Jane. It’s just that those who love her are more vocal than the ones who don’t like her.
Danielle, since I know I love Persuasion I’m going to go with MP and give it another chance. If it ends up being a horrible experience I’ll reward myself with Persuasion
I liked Willa Cather, I hope when you read her you like her too!