Jane Austen's Mansfield Park

I have read Pride and Prejudice several times.  I have also read Sense and Sensibility.  I cannot remember if I have read any other Jane Austen novels or if I have simply been an avid film watcher of all the various interpretations of her 6 novels. 

As fairly new Netflix members (and now, newly disgruntled Netflix members over this whole - we're going to make you choose between streaming and DVDs or charge you DOUBLE crap), I went DVD happy when making my que.  Mansfield Park arrived somewhat unexpectedly (and to the general annoyance of my husband who has preferred to make our DVD cue look like a documentary collection on everything from National parks to Mike Tyson) last week.  I immediately popped it in the player so I could return it the next day and get back to the documentaries...

It did catch my eye that the descriptor in the credits was "an adaptation based upon Jane Austen's novel, Mansfield Park".  I knew it wasn't going to be identical to the novel.  I enjoyed the film and immediately grabbed my Complete Works of Jane Austen off the shelf and flipped to Mansfield Park.

If you have read any Austen, you know the basic themes on which she centers her writing. Love, Loss, Decorum, Financial Woes, Scoundrels, etc. Mansfield Park is no different. 

Overall, I enjoyed the read.  I think Austen's creations, though often repetitive speak to a longing in my heart for simplicity.  I love being a modern woman, but something about the way things used to be is appealing for a literary escape.  Mansfield Park was not a novel that impacted me on some deep level and I had to rush out and recommend it to everyone, but it is another solid example of Austen's talent.  If I had to choose only one Austen novel to read, I would not choose this one; however, thankfully I do not have to choose. At some point (but not next), I will read the rest of her works.

Next up: The Wolf's Hour by Robert McCammon...