The heroine of Mansfield Park, Fanny Price, is taken away from home at the tender age of 10 to be raised by her wealthy relations, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram. Fanny arrives and is confronted with the prejudices and injustices of class and social rank. Her new family thinks that she is below them and treats her more like a servant than a relation. Only her cousin, Edmund, sees past their social differences and becomes friends with Fanny. Their friendship blossoms through the years and is tested by the arrival of Henry and Mary Crawford. The Crawfords are the "creme" of London society and bring with them their slack morals and unkind social views. Fanny silently witnesses the changes the Crawford's wreak on her extended family, sending them down a path of personal and public mahem.
This book was just okay for me. I had a hard time liking Fanny. Yes, she was sweet and kind and everything that is good, but sometimes to me she seemed too perfect. I just once wanted to see her say something to put someone in their place, but it never happened. I also thought that she was too submissive. I understand her background and upbringing, believing that she really was of lesser value than her cousins, but I was always surprised that she took everything in silence and never complained about her situation. She just let everyone walk all over her. It kind of irritated me.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story. It was nice that Fanny always had a friend in Edmund, and that towards the end of the book her family really started to appreciate and even love her. I enjoyed witnessing all the character's happenings through the eyes of Fanny. The last chapter was a little corny for me - how everything quaintly worked itself out. Overall, a decent read, but not my favorite Austen novel.
Rating: 3/5
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