Book Drum: Illustrated Profiles of Mansfield Park, Persuasion, and Pride and Prejudice

Book Drum is a free community site much used by English Literature teachers and students, and the site would welcome assistance from Jane Austen readers to profile Austen's other three books. The site has just published a new illustrated profile of Mansfield Park.

Mansfield Park Link: http://www.bookdrum.com/books/mansfield-park/9780141439808/index.html

It's a particularly impressive accomplishment by Siân Cleaver, assembling extensive background information, maps, music and pictures pertaining to the book.  

Bookdrum also offers excellent profiles of Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion:

The setting of Pride and Prejudice

Pride and Prejudice link: http://www.bookdrum.com/books/pride-and-prejudice/9780141439518/index.html

The setting of Persuasion

Persuasion link: http://www.bookdrum.com/books/persuasion/9780141439686/index.html

Jane Austen Character Throwdown

Which Jane Austen secondary character would you be friends with? Part 2. In last week's friend showdown, you overwhelmingly voted for Colonel Fitzwilliam and Eleanor Tilney, with Mrs. Gardiner a close third. Poor Lady Russell came dead last with a little over 5% of the votes. This week you will consider characters from Sense and Sensibility, Emma, and Mansfield Park. You may pick as many as you like, or none.

Emma & Mrs. Weston

Emma

Mrs. Weston (Miss Taylor)

Robert Martin

Sir John Middleton & Mrs. Jennings

Sense and Sensibility

Mrs. Jennings

Sir John Middleton

Pug by Gainsborough

Mansfield Park

Pug

Mrs. Grant

Which secondary Jane Austen character would you be friends with?
	Mrs Weston (Miss Taylor)
	Robert Martin
	Mrs Jennings
	Sir John Middleton
	Pug
	Mrs Grant
pollcode.com free polls

What if Lady Bertram wasn't just indolent and lazy?

What if she suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome? In this scene in Mansfield Park, Lady Bertram bas nodded off to sleep between 10-11, when Edmund and Julia walk into the drawing-room. Edward looks around for Fanny, who was on the sofa nursing a headache:

"While Fanny cut the roses," Brock. Image @Molland's. In the alcove sits Lady Bertram
with pug on her lap.

"Go out! to be sure she did," said Mrs. Norris: "would you have her stay within such a fine day as this? Were not we all out? Even your mother was out to-day for above an hour."

"Yes, indeed, Edmund," added her Ladyship, who had been thoroughly awakened by Mrs. Norris's sharp reprimand to Fanny; "1 was out above an hour. I sat three quarters of an hour in the flower garden, while Fanny cut the roses, and very pleasant it was, I assure you, but very hot. It was shady enough in the alcove, but I declare I quite dreaded the coming home again."

"Fanny has been cutting roses, has she?"

"Yes, and I am afraid they will be the last this year. Poor thing! She found it hot enough; but they were so full blown that one could not wait." - Mansfield Park, Jane Austen, 

The morning after Fanny's ball for Fanny, when her brother William must leave, Jane Austen  describes Fanny's state of mind and her conversation with her aunt:

It was a heavy, melancholy day. Soon after the second breakfast, Edmund bade them good-by for a week, and mounted his horse for Peterborough, and then all were gone. Nothing remained of last night but remembrances, which she had nobody to share in. She talked to her aunt Bertram— she must talk to somebody of the ball; but her aunt had seen so little of what had passed, and had so little curiosity, that it was heavy work. Lady Bertram was not certain of any body's dress or any body's place at supper, but her own. "She could not recollect what it was that she had heard about one of the Miss Maddoxes, or what it was that Lady Prescott had noticed in Fanny: she was not sure whether Colonel Harrison had been talking of Mr. Crawford or of William, when he said he was the finest young man in the room; somebody had whispered something to her,— she had forgot to ask Sir Thomas what it could be." And these were her longest speeches and clearest communications: the rest was only a languid "Yes — yes — very well — did you? did he ? — I did not see that — I should not know one from the other." This was very bad.

A little later, Lady Bertram says:

The evening was heavy like the day:— "I cannot think what is the matter with me," said Lady Bertram, when the tea-things were removed. "I feel quite stupid. It must be sitting up so late last night. Fanny, you must do something to keep me awake. I cannot work. Fetch the cards, — I feel so very stupid."

One can only conclude that Lady Bertram suffers from indolence, boredom, stupidity, or chronic fatigue, or a combination of all four. What do you think?

MANSFIELD PARK IS FULL OF A LOAD OF BULLIES. Discuss!!!!!!!!!!

I have been a teacher for 33 years and although I am now retired I still do some teaching when I want to. Bullying has always been an issue that is dealt with by all teachers, and sadly these days more and more regularly.

In Mansfield Park it can be argued that Fanny is bullied at various times especially by Mrs Norris but one particular instance that illustrates her being bullied by everyone is when she is requested to take part in the Mansfield theatricals.

“ Fanny,” cried Tom Bertram form the other table, where the conference was eagerly carrying on, and the conversation incessant, “we want your services.”

Fanny was up in a moment, expecting some errand, for the habit of employing her in that way was not yet overcome, in spite of all that Edmund could do.

“Oh!” we do not want to disturb you from your seat. We do not want your present services. We shall only want you in our play. You must be Cottager’s wife.”

“Me!” cried Fanny, sitting down again with a most frightened look.” Indeed you must excuse me. I could not act any thing if you were to give me the world. No, indeed I cannot act.”

“Indeed but you must, for cannot excuse you. It need not frighten you; it is a nothing part, a mere nothing, not above half a dozen speeches altogether, and it will not much signify if nobody hears a word you say, so you may be as creepmouse as you like, but we must have you to look at.”

So what is bullying? What is the profile of somebody who is bullied? What is the profile of a bully? Do the characters in Mansfield Park fit these criteria and how should bullying be dealt with?

As a teacher I have had to deal with cases of bullying. I would characterise bullying as making somebody feel uncomfortable, vulnerable, afraid, isolated and lonely.

What we have in English schools is a bullying policy. We have policies for each subject and for each area that touches on school life as well. A policy sets out a strategy. How are we going to deal with this area of school life? What steps to success are we going to put into practice?

With bullying somebody feels vulnerable. The first thing is talking. Very often it can be to another child who is sensitive to the bullied persons predicament. It could be the teacher noticing that a child is unhappy. Something has to trigger a response. The child needs to be encouraged to talk to their teacher, a school helper they feel confident with and to their mums and dads. All need to be aware of the problem. If another child is intimidating them we need to investigate that child. First of all an interview with that child to ask what they think is going on. They need to be aware of the feelings of the person they are bullying.

A teacher might use a PHSE lesson ( personal, health and social education) to discuss and explore in different ways a fictitious scenario similar to the bullied child’s problem. Roll play, hot seating, groups creating class steps to success that can be displayed for all to see. A buddy system can be set up whereby a child who feels they have no friends can go to a designated “buddy” and it will be the buddies job to talk to them, sit with them for a while and include them into their games.

But what are the pointers to someone who is a candidate for bullying. Somebody who is in an environment they are not used to. It could be somebody arriving at a new school who has no friends and they are a little shy. It could be somebody who is a slow learner and doesn’t succeed very well in the eyes of the other children. It could be somebody who lacks confidence and finds it difficult to join in.

The bully themselves are in need of help just as much as the person bullied. There must be a reason for wanting to make another child’s life miserable. They could be ignored at home, they could come from an abusive background and the hurt they bring to others helps them feel better and more in control.They could feel undervalued by the people who really should care for them.

You can probably tell where I am leading to with Fanny Price. She fits snugly into the scenario of the bullied person. I am not going to labour a point.

Mansfield Park, apart from being the story of a house and an estate is the story of somebody who is demeaned, treated badly and dare I say bullied by the likes of Mrs Norris, who is perhaps the most blatant bully, Tom Bertram, Maria and Julia Bertram and Henry and Maria Crawford. The story is about Fanny’s gradual and often painful growth into belief, confidence and power. I would like to add Edmund to the list of bullies in Fanny’s life though. Edmund is Fanny’s protector, he stands up for her, he tries to make her life tolerable. He is the one person Fanny can talk to and he listens and tries to act most times on her behalf for her good . He however does not always try to act in her favour. Those who stand and watch the bully and do nothing are as much to blame and by their inaction condone the bullying. There is at least one instance of Edmund doing this.

“You must excuse me, indeed you must excuse me,” cried Fanny, growing more and more red from excessive agitation, and looking distressfully at Edmund, who was kindly observing her, but unwilling to exasperate his brother by interference, gave her only an encouraging smile.”

Not only did Edmund do nothing to help, perhaps by his inaction the others were encouraged to join in the bullying too. If Edmund had acted it might have been at this point that their plans for the play may have come to an end. But Edmund did nothing. And so:

“ Her entreaty had no effect on Tom; he only said again what he had said before; and it was not merely Tom, for the requisition was now backed by Maria and Mr Crawford, and Mr Yates, with an urgency which differed from his , but in being more gentle and ceremonious and which altogether was quite overpowering to Fanny; and before she could breath after it, Mrs Norris completed the whole………. “

Fanny reads along with Mary Crawford and Edmund Bertram, Mansfield Park 1983

So why is Tom Bertram a bully? His father Sir Thomas, is a cold emotionless person. Tom is brought up to be the heir to the esteta so he has importance a future power to look foreward to but this is nothing to him with the lack of affection he has been brought up with. He is a damaged person. His sisters Maria and Julia have overt bullying schooled out of them. They are perfect in their manners. They are superficial they lack warmth and emotional depth.

Mrs Norris is somebody who craves for the importance she will never have. She has a great gaping hole that lacks warmth and love because she can never have what she wants. She is a totally selfish person.

Henry and Mary Crawford, Mansfield Park 1999

Henry and Mary Crawford have admiral Crawford to blame. They possess wealth and property but never have they had love. They are lost souls craving for affection on their own debauched terms.

Edmund is a conundrum. He has the same parentage as Tom and Maria and Julia but he is somehow different. He appears to have sensitivity towards others on the whole although he is not perfect and a capacity to love. Looking at his position within the family, second son, not destined for greatness, the pressures of being the heir not on his shoulders, perhaps he has been left alone and not bothered.He has been able to follow his heart. Maybe this is the answer to why Edmund is who he is.

Fanny is lucky enough to have an escape, a bolt hole. Apart from her own ,”white attic,” which was rather small, she uses the old school room where she collects her own private belongings and books that have sentimental attachments and memories.

But how could Jane Austen be so sensitive to the workings of the bullied and the bully? She must have had experience.

Claire Tomlin in her renowned, Jane Austen A Life, recounts how at the age of seven in 1784, Jane was sent to boarding school, first in Oxford and later removed Southampton. She went to a Mrs Cawley.

“To a seven year old who has never thought about time before, a term stretches, like a limitless desert ahead and the sense of loss and powerlessness on finding yourself cut off from home, parents, brothers and familiar faces and familiar places can turn the world into a very bleak place indeed.”

Claire Tomlin quotes Jane when she hears that two nieces of hers have been sent to boarding school.

“One’s heart aches for the dejected mind of an eight year old.”

Tomlin goes on to describe some of these establishments where children were starved and some died of diseases like measles. She is not suggesting Jane experienced this degree of harshness when she was sent away, but her experience would not have been pleasant at such an early age.

Posted by Tony Grant, London Calling

Jane Austen and Dangerous Liaisons

or "Miss Austen in very bad company!"

When I read the 24th chapter of Mansfield Park in which Henry Crawford explains to his sister Mary his reasons for conquering Fanny Price, I wondered: could Jane Austen have read Choderlos de Laclos's writings? They were contemporaries and The Dangerous Liaisons (Les Liaisons Dangereuses) was published in 1782. Well, perhaps she did not, but my dear cad, Henry Crawford, certainly could read ...

Alessandro Nivola as Henry Crawford

Let us see how and when Henry begins to have "ideas" about poor Fanny. He tells Mary about his plans.

[...] my plan is to make Fanny Price in love with me.

She protests but he explains his desire.

But I cannot be satisfied without Fanny Price, without making a small hole in Fanny Price’s heart.

To him, Fanny Price is a challenge

Her looks say, ‘I will not like you, I am determined not to like you’; and I say she shall.

He assures his sister that he will not hurt Fanny... perhaps a bit... nothing more!

[...] only want her to look kindly on me, to give me smiles as well as blushes, to keep a chair for me by herself wherever we are, and be all animation when I take it and talk to her; to think as I think, be interested in all my possessions and pleasures, try to keep me longer at Mansfield, and feel when I go away that she shall be never happy again. I want nothing more.

You must read all the dialogues to better appreciate this chat between the Crawford siblings, but I believe that the parts cited are enough to get an idea of Henry's intentions, and why their exchange reminded me of Dangerous Liaisons, specifically of Letter 6, where the Viscount of Valmont explains to the Marquise de Merteuil how pleased he is at the thought of conquering Madame de Tourvel.

What a delightful thought: to be the cause and the cure of her remorse! Far be it from me to try to break down the prejudices which worry her! They'll merely help to increase my happiness and my reputation. I want her to have these high principles — and to sacrifice them for my sake! I want her to be horrified by her sins yet unable to resist sinning; to suffer endless terrors wich she can overcome and forget only in my arms; then I'll agree to let her say: "I adore you". She will be the only woman in the world really worthy of uttering those words. I shall truly be the God whom she loves best. (Les liaisons dangereuses, Oxford Press, page 20, translator Douglas Parmée)

And as a scoundrel always remember another, I remember Chad, from Neil LaBute's movie, In Company of Men. The three men had different fate, but the motive of the conquest seems the same: only vanity.

Alessandro Nivola and Frances O’Connor as Henry Crawford and Fanny Price.

Books

Mansfield Park, Jane Austen
Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Chordelos de Laclos, 2008 · OUP

Movies

Mansfield Park, 1999, Patricia Rozema · IMDb
Dangerous Liaisons, 1988 (John Malkovich) · IMDb
Valmont, 1989 (Colin Firth) · IMDb
In the Company of Men, 1997 (Aaron Eckhart) · IMDb

Posted by Raquel Sallaberry, Jane Austen em Portugues

Jane Austen Movie Throwdown

Last night was Jane Austen night at Vic's house. We played Faro (a fast but not very interesting card game, in which the bank wins readily), looked up the rules of whist and speculation for future card games, and watched Mansfield Park with Sylvestra La Touzel (do you not LOVE her name?) as Fanny. In the 6-hour BBC adaptation, the Mary Crawford character, played by Jackie Smith-Wood, comes front stage and center any time she is on the screen. Which actress playing Mary Crawford was the most successful in portraying this complicated woman in the shorter film versions?

This actress portrayed the better Mary Crawford

Embeth Davidtz, Mary Crawford, 1999

People are extremely divided about this movie adaptation by Patricia Rozema, either hating the addition of its anti-colonialist overtones and Fanny becoming a budding young writer like Jane Austen, or liking its pluck. One person who stood out in this film is Embeth, whose Mary is quite as sophisticated as Jane Austen described her. She is a lady, but there is a hint of the unsavory in her. She is all sensuality, so that one can fully understand why Edmund is so distracted by her. Many will recognize Embeth for another role. She played the chilly and elegant Natasha in Bridget Jones's Diary, whose lawyer character was the perfect fit for Colin Firth until Bridget came along. Hailing from South Africa, the bi-lingual Embeth's career has been steadily successful if not spectacular.



Hayley Atwell, Mary Crawford, 2007

The 2007 version of Mansfield Park was generally trashed because of its short length and Billie Piper's tomboyish performance of Fanny Price. One actress who didn't get hammered was Hayley Atwell, whose Mary Crawford was pretty, audacious, and a little bit saucy. Her line to Fanny after keeping the horse too long sums her character up: "Selfishness must always be forgiven, for there is no hope for a cure." A stunning woman, Haley rates high in AskMen.com. She is also recognized for her acting chops, playing major roles in Brideshead Revisited and The Duchess. Haley is currrently filming Pillars of the Earth, Ken Follet's epic medieval tale about the building of a Cathedral. My apologies to Haley for spelling her last name wrong in the poll. I caught the mistake too late to make the change, for too many people had already voted.

pollcode.com free polls

This actress played the better Mary Crawford

Embeth Davidtz Haley Atwood

Jane Austen Character Throwdown: Ruined Outing

Your choice of Mrs. Bennet as favorite comical character is not surprising, though I see that Mr.Woodhouse has quite a few fans as well. Our next question takes you outdoors. Which planned outing backfired the most - Fanny Price's trip to Sotherton or Emma Woodhouse's picnic on Box Hill?

Ruined Outing

Emma's Picnic on Box Hill, Emma

Nothing goes right for Emma on this planned excursion, which leaves her tearful and feeling lower than low when it ends with Mr. Knightley berating her for her cruel comment to Miss Bates. At first, "There was a languor, a want of spirits, a want of union, which could not be got over", then, "She had never seen Frank Churchill so silent and stupid. He said nothing worth hearing—looked without seeing—admired without intelligence—listened without knowing what she said." Feeling peevish, she embarrasses Miss Bates, prompting Mr. Knightley to admonish her: "Emma, I must once more speak to you as I have been used to do: a privilege rather endured than allowed, perhaps, but I must still use it. I cannot see you acting wrong, without a remonstrance. How could you be so unfeeling to Miss Bates? How could you be so insolent in your wit to a woman of her character, age, and situation?—Emma, I had not thought it possible." By this time we doubt that anything Emma ate at the picnic sat well in her stomach.


Fanny Price's One Hour Wait at Sotherton, Mansfield Park

First left by Edmund and Mary Crawford after she became fatigued during their ramble, Fanny waits on a bench for twenty minutes before the arrival of Henry Crawford, Maria Bertram, and Mr. Rushworth, who forgot to bring the key to the gate. As he walks back to Sotherton to retrieve the key, Maria and Henry slip around the gate, leaving Fanny alone. When Mr. Rushworth returns, Fanny has been waiting on and off for over an hour. Both Fanny and Mr. Rushworth wind up feeling ill-used, especially Fanny: "Fanny was again left to her solitude, and with no increase of pleasant feelings, for she was sorry for almost all that she had seen and heard, astonished at Miss Bertram, and angry with Mr. Crawford. By taking a circuitous, and as it appeared to her, very unreasonable direction to the knoll, they were soon beyond her eye; and for some minutes longer she remained without sight or sound of any companion. She seemed to have the little wood all to herself. She could almost have thought, that Edmund and Miss Crawford had left it, but that it was impossible for Edmund to forget her so entirely."

12 Gifts of Christmas: Jane Austen's Birthday!

Inquiring readers, During this month of holiday celebrations, Laurel Ann and I will be offering the Twelve Gifts of Christmas. Some of the gifts will be giveaways, others will be free offerings online, and still others will be great gift ideas for you to give to others. Every gift will have a special relationship to this blog, us, or Jane Austen. Today in honor of Jane Austen’s Birthday we are happy to present gifts to our readers, all seven of Jane Austen’s major novels on unabridged audio by Naxos AudioBooks. Leave a comment stating why you enjoy reading or viewing Jane Austen by December 31st, and you will be eligible for a drawing for one of the following unabridged audios.

Gift Eight: Jane Austen Birthday Celebration Giveaways!

Sense and Sensibility: Read by Juliet Stevenson

When Mrs Dashwood is forced by an avaricious daughter-in-law to leave the family home in Sussex, she takes her three daughters to live in a modest cottage in Devon. For Elinor, the eldest daughter, the move means a painful separation from the man she loves, but her sister Marianne finds in Devon the romance and excitement which she longs for. The contrasting fortunes and temperaments of the two girls as they struggle to cope in their different ways with the cruel events which fate has in store for them are portrayed by Jane Austen with her usual irony, humour and profound sensibility. 11 CDs • Running Time: 11½ hours • ISBN: 978-9626343616

Pride and Prejudice: Read by Emilia Fox

Jane Austen’s most popular novel, originally published in 1813, some seventeen years after it was first written, presents the Bennet family of Longbourn. Against the background of gossipy Mrs Bennet and the detached Mr Bennet, the quest is on for husbands for the five daughters, beautiful Jane, witty Elizabeth, scholarly Mary, impressionable Kitty and wilful Lydia. The spotlight falls on Elizabeth, second eldest, who is courted by Mr Darcy though initially she is more concerned with the fate of her other sisters. This marvellous account of family life in Regency England is read with vigour and style by Emilia Fox. 11 CDs • Running Time: 15 hours • ISBN: 978-9626343562

Mansfield Park: Read by Juliet Stevenson

When timid, ten-year-old Fanny Price is plucked from her large, raucous and somewhat impoverished family in Portsmouth to live with wealthy relatives in Mansfield Park her life is changed for ever. Immediately forming a strong attraction for her cousin Edmund, she develops into a genteel and mature young woman, whose love for him remains undimmed despite the diversion brought into both their lives by the attractive but morally bankrupt Crawfords. With its suggestion of adultery, and written with all the wit and style of the mature Jane Austen, this is the work of a writer at the peak of her powers. It was published in 1814, and unlike its predecessors, Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility which were revisions of her juvenile writing, Mansfield Park was completely original. Like its heroine Fanny Price, who develops during the course of the story to reach maturity, Jane Austen’s third published novel was a much more mature work from a writer of increasing experience. 14 CDs • Running Time: 17 hours • ISBN: 978-9626344675

Emma: Read by Juliet Stevenson

Arrogant, self-willed and egotistical, young Miss Emma Woodhouse is Jane Austen’s most unusual heroine. Her interfering ways and inveterate matchmaking are at once shocking and comic. She is ‘handsome, clever and rich’ and has ‘a disposition to think too well of herself’. When she decides to introduce the humble Harriet Smith, the natual daughter of who knows whom, to the delights of genteel society and to find her a suitable husband, she precipitates herself and her immediate circle into a web of misunderstanding, intrigue, and comedy from which no-one emerges unchanged. 13 CDs • Running Time: 16 hours • ISBN: 978-9626343944

Northanger Abbey: Read by Juliet Stevenson

When Catherine Morland, a country clergyman’s daughter, is invited to spend a season in Bath with the fashionable high society, little does she imagine the delights and perils that await her. Captivated and disconcerted by what she finds, and introduced to the joys of ‘Gothic novels’ by her new friend, Isabella, Catherine longs for mystery and romance. When she is invited to stay with the beguiling Henry Tilney and his family at Northanger Abbey, she expects mystery and intrigue at every turn. However, the truth turns out to be even stranger than fiction. 7 CDs • Running Time: 9 hours • ISBN: 978-9626344279

Persuasion: Read by Juliet Stevenson

Anne Elliot has grieved for seven years over the loss of her first and only love, Captain Frederick Wentworth. When their paths finally cross again, Anne finds herself slighted and all traces of their former intimacy gone. As the pair continue to share the same social circle, dramatic events in Lyme Regis, and later in Bath, conspire to unravel the knots of deceit and misunderstanding in this beguiling and gently comic story of love and fidelity. Juliet Stevenson reads this unabridged recording with her customary clarity and particular understanding for the words and world of Jane Austen. Running Time: 8½ hours • ISBN: 978-9626344361

Lady Susan: Read by Harriet Walter, Kim Hicks, Carole Boyd, and cast

Lady Susan was the first of Jane Austen’s novels to be completed. An epistolary novel in eighteenth-century style, it tells the story of the recently widowed Lady Susan Vernon, intelligent but highly manipulative, who is intent on gaining financially secure relationships for both herself and her wayward but shy teenage daughter Frederica. Less known than Austen’s six great later novels, it demonstrates the wit and sharp observations of Jane Austen – and is shown at its best in audiobook form, with different actresses presenting real characters as they read their letters. Featuring nineteenth-century chamber music. 2 CDs • Running Time: 2½ hours • ISBN: 978-9626342282

Both Vic (Ms. Place) and Laurel Ann adore audio books and know that each of the winners will be thrilled to listen to one of these quality recordings. You can visit the Naxos AudioBooks web site for detailed information on each of the audio recordings and listen to previews.



Happy Birthday Jane Austen! Pass on the celebration by sharing the news of this giveaway with your friends. A big thank you to the folks at Naxos AudioBooks USA for their generous support in our celebration of Jane Austen’s Birthday.

Happy Holidays from Vic(Jane Austen's World) & Laurel Ann (Austenprose)

Mansfield Park Madness: Day 15 Give-away X 4

“I am worn out with civility,” said he. “I have been talking incessantly all night, and with nothing to say.” Edmund Bertram, Mansfield Park, Chapter 28

Austen-esque author Amanda Grange’s Edmund Bertram’s Diary has just been released in paperback by Berkley Trade and three copies are being offered (and three other titles as well) as the next give-away in day 15 of Mansfield Park Madness at Austenprose. This retelling of Jane Austen’s classic novel Mansfield Park is from the perspective of its male protagonist Edmund Bertram, and is her fourth book in her “Hero series”. Other Mansfield Park sequels available in the give-away are; Mansfield Park Revisited by Joan Aiken, The Matters at Mansfield: or The Crawford Affair, by Carrie Berbis and Central Park, by Debra White Smith

You have only two more days to leave comments to qualify for the all 17 great give-aways being offered during Mansfield Park Madness. Be sure to check out all the discussion on the novel, movies and book sequels during this great blog event continuing to August 31.

Upcoming posts
Only two days left to qualify for the many great give-aways
Winners announced August 31
Day 16 – Aug 30 MP: What People Are Saying
Day 17 – Aug 31 MP Madness Conclusion

posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Mansfield Park Madness: Day 11 Give-away!

“There, I will stake my last like a woman of spirit. No cold prudence for me. I am not born to sit still and do nothing. If I lose the game, it shall not be from not striving for it.” Mary Crawford, Mansfield Park, Chapter 25

This beautiful Jane Austen inspired address book by Potter style is the next give-away to be offered in day 11 of Mansfield Park Madness at Austenprose. It has a vintage image of a Regency lady at her writing desk on the cover and includes alphabetical tabs for quick reference.

Be sure to check out all the discussion on the novel, movies and book sequels during this great blog event continuing to August 31. Don’t miss out on your chance to win any or all of the 17 great prizes being offered over the course of the 17 day event.

Upcoming posts
Day 12 – Aug 26 MP novel discussion chapters 33-40
Day 13 – Aug 27 MP 2007 movie discussion
Day 14 – Aug 28 MP novel discussion chapter 41-48
Day 15 – Aug 29 MP: Sequels, Spinoff’s and Retellings

posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Mansfield Park Madness: Day 8 Give-away!

“A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.” Mary Crawford, Chapter 22

Need the perfect Jane Austen inspired gift or a treat for yourself? This beautiful little book, The Jane Austen Miscellany by Lesley Bolton from Sourcebooks may do just the trick, and is being offered as the day 8 give-away of Mansfield Park Madness at Austenprose!

Filled with interesting facts about our favorite author Jane Austen and witty quotes from her novels and life, this is my number one choice to give as a gift to inspire a new fan, and please a veteran.

Tagged as the “ultimate guide of everything Jane Austen for those who just can’t get enough”, it includes

-Fascinating facts of Jane’s life and career
-Quotes from admirers and detractors (can you believe she had detractors?)
-Quotes from your favorite characters
-The barbed wit of Jane herself
-Revealing excerpts from Jane’s personal letters
-Profiles of Jane’s brooding heroes, feisty heroines, comically flawed relatives and scurrilous villains
-The best of the sequels: suggestions for further reading and movie viewing
-Much, much more!

Be sure to check out all the discussion on the novel, movies and book sequels during this great blog event continuing to August 31. Don’t miss out on your chance to win any or all of the 17 great prizes being offered over the course of the 17 day event.

Upcoming posts
Day 9 – Aug 23 MP novel discussion chapters 25-32:
Day 10 – Aug 24 MP 1999 movie discussion
Day 11 – Aug 25 MP Oxford book review
Day 12 – Aug 26 MP novel discussion chapters 33-40

posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Mansfield Park Madness: Day 5 Give-away!

“We have a better guide in ourselves, if we would attend to it, than any other person can be.” Fanny Price, Mansfield Park

This beautiful Jane Austen inspired lined journal is designed by Potter Style and is the next give-away to be offered on day 5 of Mansfield Park Madness at Austenprose. It has a vintage image of a Regency era lady on the cover and a great quote by the shy but wise heroine Fanny Price from Jane Austen's novel Mansfield Park.

Be sure to check out all the discussion on the novel, movies and book sequels during this great blog event continuing to August 31st. On day 5 we will be exploring and discussing chapters 9-16 of the novel. By leaving a comment there, you qualify for a drawing for this charming journal. Don’t miss out on your chance to win any or all of the 17 great prizes being offered over the course of the 17 day event. It's not too late to participate!

Upcoming posts
Day 5 – Aug 19 MP novel discussion chapters 9-16
Day 6 – Aug 20 Metropolitan movie discussion
Day 7 – Aug 21 MP novel discussion chapters 17-24
Day 8 – Aug 22 MP great quotes and quips

Posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Mansfield Park Madness Begins @ Austenprose

17 Days of Great Give-aways!

Jane Austen’s most mysteriously misunderstood novel will be given a fair shake as the blog Austenprose endeavours to unravel it’s charms and short-comings (are there any?) in a 17 day blog event, Mansfield Park Madness, August 15-31, 2008. This Mansfield Park 101 will feature discussions of the novel, movie adaptations and book sequels geared for the novice reader, but also open to all levels of literature lovers and Janeites alike.

Amazingly, there will also be 17 days of great give-aways of books, movies and Jane Austen ephemera to the lucky winners. To qualify for the daily drawings, just join in the conversation by leaving a comment in a post. The complete details are available here.

Don’t miss out on your chance for all the fun discussions and give-aways at Mansfield Park Madness. Please join us - because gentle Fanny Price has requested your attendance and does not want to be viewed as insipid any longer!

Cheers, Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Upcoming Posts
Day 1 – Aug 15 MPM introduction
Day 2 - Aug 16 MP novel discussion chapters 1-8
Day 3 – Aug 17 MP 1983 movie review and discussion
Day 4 – Aug 18 MP Naxos (Juliet Stevenson) audio

Watch Austen Adaptations Instantly

Want your dose of Jane Austen instantly? For Netflix subscribers, that wish is a reality.

Recently, I discovered this fabulous instant viewing feature that is available through my subscription, and I was able to select from a huge list of titles and watch a streaming video on my computer. My first choice to view was the 1980 miniseries of Pride and Prejudice, staring Elizabeth Garvie and David Rintoul, and what a pleasure it was, again!

There are three other Jane Austen adaptations available for instant viewing; - all produced by the BBC and filmed from the 1970’s and early 1980’s. They are now Austen classics, and worthy of your consideration and enjoyment.

Emma (1972) directed by John Glenister, adaptation by Dennis Constanduros, staring Doran Godwin as Emma Woodhouse, John Carson as Mr. Knightley, Donald Eccles as Mr. Woodhouse, Debbie Bowen as Harriet Smith, Timothy Peters as Mr. Elton, Robert East as Frank Churchill, Fiona Walker as Mrs. Elton, and Ania Marson as Jane Fairfax. This version of Emma is quite extensive being close to five hours long, so much of Jane Austen's language is included in the script. Fiona Walker rules the roost as Mrs. Elton! Doran Godwin's Emma is a bit stiff, and very vexing, but we still love her in the end. 270 minutes

Pride and Prejudice (1980) directed by Cyril Coke, adaptation by Fay Weldon, staring Elizabeth Garvie as Elizabeth Bennet, David Rintoul as Mr. Darcy, Sabina Franklyn as Jane Bennet, Marsha Fitzalan as Caroline Bingley, Judy Parfit as Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Clare Higgins as Kitty Bennet. Others say that this is the truest version to Jane Austen's novel, but I beg to differ. It runs a close second to P&P (1995) for the use of Jane Austen's laguage in a script. Miss Garvie is the definitive Elizabeth Bennet. Some say that Mr. Rintoul as Darcy is wooden, but read the book again folks. Rintoul plays Darcy as Austen intended! 265 minutes.

Sense and Sensibility (1981) directed by Rodney Bennett, adapted by Alexander Baron, staring Irene Richard as Elinor Dashwood, Tracey Childs as Marianne Dashwood, Diana Fairfax as Mrs. Dashwood, Peter Woodward as John Willoughby, Bosco Hogan as Edward Ferrars and Robert Swann as Colonel Brandon. At close to three hours, this version is longer than some, but not quite enough Austen to satisfy my appetite. The Dashwood sisters are as engaging as ever, but the male trio of co-leads, Willoughby, Ferrars and Brandon are unconvincing. It is still a worthy production, and merits a viewing to round out your Austen adaptation experience. 176 minutes.

Mansfield Park (1983) directed by David Giles, adaptation by Ken Taylor, staring Sylvestra Le Touzel as Fanny Price, Nicholas Farrell as Edmund Bertram, Bernard Hepton as Sir Thomas Bertram, Robert Burbage as Henry Crawford, Anna Massey as Aunt Norris, Jackie Smith-Wood as Mary Crawford and Anglea Pleasence as Lady Bertram. At over five hours in length, this version is more than an ample serving of Mansfield Park, ahem! As one of Austen's most perplexing heroines, Sylvestra Le Touzel's interpretation of dear Fanny Price is at times as annoying as her character in the book, and a great testament to honoring an author's original intensions. Her reaction when she is prevailed upon to accept Henry Crawford's proposal of marriage is brilliant. Nicholas Farrell as Edmund is ok. Just about the same doormat as in the novel. 312 minutes.

In addition, all of these productions are included in the six film collectors DVD set, Jane Austen – Complete Collection, which is available for purchase online from Barnes & Noble booksellers. The set also includes Persuasion (1971) staring Anne Firbank as Anne Elliot, and Northanger Abbey (1986) staring Katharine Schlesinger as Catherine Morland.

After viewing Pride and Prejudice (1980) again, I truly believe that Elizabeth Garvie’s performance as Elizabeth Bennet is as close to perfection as a Janeite could hope for!

Posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

The Portable Mansfield Park

Recipe for satisfying entertainment while visiting Europe:

• 1 juiced up 8 gig Nano Ipod
• 48 downloaded podcast chapters of Mansfield Park
• 5 hours of uninterrupted driving
• 14 hours of uninterrupted flying
• six sleepless nights in a foreign hotel

Result: Completed the book before the battery conked out; one fairly* satisfied Jane reader/Nano customer.

Next step: Download 50 podcast chapters of Sense and Sensibility

Source of free podcasts: Librivox

*Let's face it, Librivox volunteers are not exactly professional readers. While almost 50% of the people who read Mansfield Park were satisfactory, the rest were stultifyingly bad. Only my extreme love for Jane's words and my innate stubbornness kept me listening in some instances.

Update: For free downloads of Persuasion by professional voice actor, Nikolle Doolin, click here. She has also thoughtfully included a synopsis of every chapter and a list of the primary characters on her site.

Posted by Ms. Place

What Did You Think of Miss Austen Regrets?

Be sure to cast your vote on our Miss Austen Regrets poll in the left hand column, and then check the latest results. So far, it looks like 33% of our readers really enjoyed the new biopic on Jane Austen's life.

Would you like your own copy of Miss Austen Regrets for your DVD library? If so, then you're in luck. It will be included as an additional feature with the new BBC mini-series Sense and Sensibilty DVD. Both productions are available together for pre-orders and will be released for sale on April 8th.


All of the adaptations in The Complete Jane Austen series that have previously aired on PBS are available for purchase at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble and the PBS Shop online. Persuasion, Northanger Abbey and Mansfield Park can be purchased separately. Their is also a Collector's set of Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility and Miss Austen Regrets available for pre-order, and will also be released on April 8th.

It will be interesting to see if those good folks at PBS combine all the productions in The Complete Jane Austen as a Collector's set in the future. That would be the ultimate Austenpalooza weekend!

Posted by Laurel Ann, Austenprose

Fanny Price as Rosie Cotton?

Has anyone else noticed how much Billie Piper as Fanny Price resembles a female hobbit? In this photo she could be Rosie Cotton, Samwise Gamgee's bride. The blowsy hair, the in-your-face cleavage, the corseted waist, and slatternly look all would have suited her for a part in The Lord of the Rings much better than Mansfield Park. Just add some pointy ears and furry feet, et voila!

Illustration: Ted Nasmith.com Posted by Ms. Place

Mansfield Park

OTV Canada will be showing Mansfield Park 2007 at 9:00 p.m. tonight. Click here to see a clip of the movie.
Click here and here to view images and video clips of Manfield Park, 1999. And here for my post, Mansfield Park: Mary Crawford's Downfall in Edmund Bertram's Eyes.