I am way behind but just a note to remind you all that March & April are the months to read or watch Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.
Quick facts:
- Mansfield Park was Jane Austen’s fourth of six novels. It was published in 1816 when Jane was still alive.
- It is considered the first of her “mature” novels.
- Mansfield Park is the longest of Jane’s novels.
- Commentators seem to think this is one of Jane’s best novels.
- Popular opinion seems to be more varied. I personally am trying to read with fresh eyes as Mansfield Park is one of my least favorite Jane Austen novels.
- Spoiler alert: the main male and female characters are first cousins… evidently quite acceptable and common for the upper class to marry a first cousin. For the peasant class – not so much… I know this was culturally appropriate at the time… but it can be tough to stomach with modern sensibilities.
- Mansfield Park has several adaptations:
- 1983 – 6 episode BBC Miniseries – considered to be the most faithful adaptation to the book but is definitely dated. I watched this last week.
- 1999 – movie starring Frances O’Connor, Jonny Lee Miller, Victoria Hamilton and Hugh Bonneville – not as faithful to the book but perhaps the most “enjoyable” adaptation. I have watched this one a couple of times.
- 2007 – ITV movie adaptation. Evidently this one is the shortest at barely 90 minutes – obviously quite a few cuts from the novel – I have not watched this one yet.
- Plan will to have the in-person meet up to discuss Mansfield Park on Thursday, April 30th, 2026! Hope some of you can make it.
- I am reading The Annotated Mansfield Park (annotated and edited by David M Shapard) – it is very long but am enjoying reading it again with an open mind and additional perspective the annotated version provides.