Mansfield Park

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Johanna Ward

Length: 16 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

Fanny Price, a poor relation of the rich Bertrams, is reluctantly adopted into the family, to be brought up at Mansfield Park, where she is condescendingly treated. Only her cousin, Edmund, a young clergyman, appreciates her fine qualities.

Fanny soon falls in love with him, but Edmund is, unfortunately, drawn to the shallow and worldly Mary Crawford. Fanny's quiet humility, steadfast loyalty, and natural goodness are matched against the wit and brilliance of her lovely rival. The tension is heightened when Henry Crawford, Mary's equally sophisticated and flirtatious brother, takes an interest in Fanny.

Jane Austen's subtle, satiric novel skillfully uses her characters' emotional relationships to explore the social and moral values by which they attempt to order their lives.

Public Domain (P)1994 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Listeners...will be rewarded with Austen's brilliant commentary on the society of her day and by Johanna Ward's solid reading....this is a lively and interesting choice for admirers of Jane Austen." (AudioFile)

Mansfield Park

This is my second favorite of Jane Austen's work.

Johanna Ward did an incredible job as narrator!

Mary Crawford brought to life!

Fabulous job by a great narrator. Of Jane Austen's books, this one does tend to drag a bit when reading it, but the narrator pulls the story along, and makes it enjoyable. In particular, she really gets under the skin of Mary Crawford. Highly recommended.

Most complex Jane Austen novel & best narrator

What did you love best about Mansfield Park?

Mansfield Park is a 19th century literary classic, which is totally accessible to the readers of today. The moral and romantic challenges confronted by its' fictional characters, would reflect the sensibilities of many discerning readers across global cultures and time frame.

What did you like best about this story?

I enjoyed the penetrating character descriptions narrated by the writer. Character development was beautiful and the story was filled with surprises, just as life is.

Which scene was your favorite?

As she walked with rich Henry Crawford on the ramparts of Portsmouth Bay, Fanny Price realized that Henry might truly love her. Nevertheless, Fanny also remembered that Henry was emotionally impulsive and callus in his flirtatious social displays of attachments to women. For example, Fanny's female cousin Maria, who was then an engaged to be married woman, was first pursued by Henry Crawford, and then suddenly with no explanation dropped by him. Thus, Fanny decided Henry was untrustworthy and it would be unwise for her to marry him --- in spite of her current family pressure to do so.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I have listened to this entire book more than once, and never spent more than one hour or read more than one chapter at any one time. I can't imagine anyone listening to the entire book in one sitting; not if that person wants to understand it fully. Reader intelligence, tenacity and some knowledge of British cultural history is helpful, if not necessary to an enjoyment of Mansfield Park.

Any additional comments?

I have invested a lot of time and effort in writing this review. I hope that it is useful to Audible --- a company that has given me many years of pleasure.

great narrator

I, unlike the rest of the Western world, like Mansfield Park and Fanny Price. The reading is what I love. Calm, clear, with the annoying character's voices not being excessive or startling.

Story of Spoiled Arostocrats

Very little to like about the aristocracy of the time.
They were lazy, looked down on those without wealth and basically did nothing to benefit the world. They were petty and over indulged.

Tiresome

I haven't finished the book and hardly think that I will. Am writing this to let others know to be careful in choosing this audiobook.

The narrator is a little better than adequate for a professional narrator - there is often very little difference in voices of characters. However, that is not why my mind wandered so often while listening. It is so extremely verbose without much action going on in the story. Characters talk endlessly at each other, in a way, that I would describe as genteely and politely argumentative, on and on and on. Most of the characters are set up quickly and early in the story and then it's just their mundane long winded conversations of little or no consequance. Take into account that I've not finished the book, but there is nothing that I've listened to or know about the overall story that makes me think the remainder of the book will be much less tiresome than what I've listened to so far.

while I love Jane Austin I hated this one

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Boring, both the story and the delivery Boring is the best I can say for it

Has Mansfield Park turned you off from other books in this genre?

yes

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

GREAT disappointment

Any additional comments?

It was an Audible suggestion and I have been stung so many times before with those, Shame on ME!

Austen's worst book

If I didn't have 8 hours available to me, day in & day out to listen to audiobooks, I never would have made it through this. Boring. Predictable. The only saving grace was the reader's narrative, which was absolutely top notch.

The worst Austen I've encountered so far

I've read only 4 by Jane Austen. I've liked 3. This story is very tedious and quite predictable. I dwelled forever on the choosing and practice of a play that never occured. The characters seemed flat - totally upright and intelligent or completely without morals. The story is filled with redundancies. I'd recommend the abridged version of this one - know the plot line and move on. Narration was also not as good as Juliet Stevensen (spelling?) I would often get confused as to who was speaking. Main character, Fannie, sounded like she had a head cold.