Firstly, it lost a point because it's less awesome than P&P, Persuasion and others. And a second point was lost because Fanny and Edmund, the romantic couple of the story, are first cousins. Ew. ;) Still, I did enjoy the read even if the book I was carting around was really heavy and I couldn't wait to be done with the read due to said heaviness.
Perhaps my lack of adoration for this story isn't helped by the fact that the BBC thing I saw was quite dated, and could hardly compare with the Firth/Ehle combo in P&P (LOVE!). Edmund is a really lovely love interest, though of course the fact that he wants to be a priest doesn't endear him to me all that much. I do think Edmund and Fanny are perfect for each other, but then maybe it's only reasonable since they share FAMILY TRAITS due to being CLOSELY RELATED. Again, ew.
But moving on. ;)
In between watching the TV version and reading the book, I had forgotten some things about the storyline, things I don't even remember seeing in the TV version. Namely I forgot all about the attentions Mr Crawford paid to Fanny, and also about all the trouble Fanny's cousins Maria & Julia got into. Particularly Maria. The main things I remember of the TV version are the part where they are rehearsing for the play, and the part where Fanny Price is really timid and uninteresting as a character. I liked the book version of her better than the TV version (especially at moments when she was getting a bit annoyed - hey, animation!), but she's still not nearly as interesting as other Austen heroines.
So there you go. 3 stars.
I guess the first cousin thing was common at the time, but I agree. Ick.
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I love one movie version of the novel. Apologies for posting a link, but this the easiest way to explain (from imdb): http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0178737/?ref_=sr_1
Is this the one you saw? If not, you should check it out. It plays around with the story a bit (makes Fanny less timid), and this helps the story immensely. As long as you ignore the first cousin thing.
I've completely forgotten this book altogether even though I know I read it. I guess that tells you how memorable it was for me!
ReplyDeleteFamily traits? Ewwww. It sounds like the book still wins the war of book vs. movie Trisha.
ReplyDeleteLoved Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion but haven't yet read Mandfield Park.
ReplyDeleteInteresting review! Coming from someone who's only read Persuasion - and loved it. Yet I haven't picked up any of her other books yet...
ReplyDeleteThe only Austen book I've read is Emma. I'll have to put P and P and Mansfield Park on my to-read list. :)
ReplyDeleteFirst cousins is really creepy.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any Jane Austen books. I'm sadly lacking in the area of classics.
ReplyDelete......dhole
First cousins used to be a common match back then and before. Part of the reason why the Royal Families of Europe got hemophilia and such.
ReplyDeleteI still need to read Emma and Mansfield park before I can say I read all of them. Planning to do just that, but I'm thinking I'll download copies onto my tablet now. :-D
Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors, right behind J.K. Rowling. Mansfield Park is a great book.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
I think 3 stars is fair for MP. It isn't P&P by a long shot. And it isn't Persuasion, but there are similar elements.
ReplyDelete