Welcome to Reading Revisited, a place for friends to enjoy some good old-fashioned book chat while revisiting the truth, beauty, and goodness we’ve found in our favorite books.
Hello Readers,
Welcome to Jane Austen month! And the “last” one at that! As a book club we are on our last full Austen novel. Which means we’ve been around for a full six years already! Somehow this is exciting and sad at the same time. I can almost promise that we will be revisiting Austen in years to come, but this is the last first read of an Austen novel together.
This month we are reading Mansfield Park by Jane Austen and I could not be more excited!
What to say about this book?
First, I will be honest and say that my fondness for Mansfield Park (the book and the place) and Fanny Price (the heroine) have grown over the years and with each reread. Jane Austen shows her genius here in a way that is different than some of her more popular (and frequently adapted) novels. I say this, not to discourage you, but to give you hope to keep reading even if you don’t find Fanny quite as fun as Lizzie Bennett! We should trust Austen.
I will also say that this book is HILARIOUS. So don’t miss that. I think Mr. Rushworth and Mrs. Norris (and even Lady Bertram) are two of the most hilarious Austen characters. Though not all equally evil, I admit. So remember the humor and the wit. And if you aren’t seeing it, maybe grab an audiobook and listen for a bit!
And last, I will say that you should read the article below. It does have spoilers so you could choose to read it before or after you finish the book depending on your aversion to spoilers (or lack thereof)! But whenever you read it, I will impress upon you the importance of it. I think it will change the way you see this book. Seriously, if you read only one resource aside from the actual text of the book, let it be this essay by THE Eleanor Bourg Nicholson in the St. Austin Review. And then maybe go buy yourself a copy of the whole magazine. And then maybe subscribe because they have some amazing authors and editors lined up (plus it is a really reasonable price). Also if anyone needed a birthday present idea for any of us Reading Revisited Ladies….you know where to shop!
If you don’t want the spoilers, but want your first read of the novel to be opened up, then I will say this: if Fanny Price doesn’t quite compel you as a heroine, maybe it is because she isn’t the focus of the novel. The title isn’t “Fanny” (a la Emma) or even her vices or virtues (a la Pride and Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility or Persuasion). The title is Mansfield Park. So focus on the place and maybe the owner of the place as well. How can one manage one’s place well? Which characters are being compared and contrasted to how they manage their place (or plan for doing so)? Can you be virtuous without being part of your place?
Resources from Reading Revisited:
Alright, on to the resources that we have and will provide you for your extra enjoyment here at Reading Revisited…
Book Drop Day Chat on Mansfield
If you want to go back and listen to our 2025 Book Drop Day Conversation, the Mansfield Park discussion starts at the 1:38:47 mark! We recorded this over a year ago so this is a fun flashback to why we chose this book and what our thoughts were before our latest reread.
Book Drop Day Post on Mansfield
And you can read more about Mansfield Park in our Book Drop Day Post, in which you can hear more from Yours Truly, Eleanor Bourg Nicholson, and Madeleine Dobrowski about why you should read this book! This is from last year’s Book Drop Day and it is fun to go back and reread all the excitement about this book.
Book Club Discussion with Eleanor Bourg Nicholson
On August 3rd we will release a podcast discussion in which we get to talk with Eleanor Bourg Nicholson (again!) about Mansfield Park. While this is our normal Book Club Discussion Podcast, I think you will find that it is extra special as we get to sit at the feet of the wise teacher, Eleanor, as she helps us wrap our minds around this under-loved novel.
Casting Mansfield Park with Other Austen Characters
On August 10th we will release another podcast discussion in which we talk about all of Austen while focusing on Mansfield Park in a special way! The Reading Revisited Ladies got together with our good friend Elise Boratenski to recast Mansfield Park using characters from our other favorite Austen novels. I declare that not only will you find this great fun, but it was also a fun way to talk about how Austen writes characters with different temperaments, personalities, and proclivities to virtue and vice…and how gender and life situation and circumstances can change the trajectory of the story in different ways!
Virtual Book Club
And finally if you are not part of an in person book club and need to discuss this book, we invite you to our Virtual Book Club (on Zoom) on August 24th at 8:30pm EST. Send me a message if you are not already on our Slack Page! That is where you can access the schedule and Zoom Links for each month!
On a side note, if you would like to be part of an in-person book club you can also message me and I can see if there is one in your area (or peer pressure you to start your own)!
Other Austen Things (blasts from the past)
ep. 79: A Jane Austen Sorting Ceremony (with Elise Boratenski)
Pride and Prejudice Reading Guides by Hannah Suire (4 parts)
Northanger Abbey Reading Guides by Elise Boratenski (6 parts)
Versions of the Book to Buy:
First I must recommend this edition which is edited by the LOVELY Eleanor Bourg Nicholson (under her maiden name) over at Ignatius. This series is always HIGHLY recommended by us at Reading Revisited for its very Christian (and specifically Catholic) notes and essays.
If you are going to go the audio route, then I commend this one that is included in your audible subscription for free. It is narrated by Frances Barber and, like Eleanor says in our podcast, “she gets Fanny!” On that note, if you are reading Mansfield (or any Austen) and are bored, please listen to a good audio version. It is possible you aren’t picking up some of the humor and wit and a good narrator can teach you how to read better. I don’t know that I knew Austen was funny on a first read, but now I giggle the whole time I am reading!
If you are not an audible user, then I really love the Librivox versions of Jane Austen by Elizabeth Klett and Karen Savage. They are free and lovely narrations (though the audio quality is certainly not as pristine! This Mansfield Park read by Karen Savage has been my go to over the years and you can get it free on Librivox or YouTube!
If you collect the Penguin editions then those are always good buys as well (especially if you need to utilize the 1-2 day shipping from our evil internet overlords)…
Penguin Deluxe (my favorite paperbacks)
Penguin Clothbound (for the hardback collectors out there)…it appears to only be available as part of the set right now
Penguin Classic (for the “Plain Jane” or budget option)
Other Resources to Recommend:
Homeschool Connections Austen Classes from Eleanor Bourg Nicholson…whether you are a homeschool parent needing resources for students or an adult desiring to further your education, check out Homeschool Connections. Eleanor has taught a lot of classes (as well as her husband and Joseph Pearce)! They have a lot to choose from. And it is VERY reasonably priced, especially if you want to take prerecorded classes. Someone in the Hartley house might be studying Austen this year….
Goldberry Studios’ Close Reads Conversations on Mansfield Park….I have been having so much fun re-listening to these conversations as I continue to think about this book (and re-listen to it again and again).
Literary Life Podcast Conversations about Mansfield Park…it has been a while since I listened to these episodes, but I remember them being VERY helpful in remembering how to read Austen within the Literary Tradition.
Reconsidering Fanny Price by Melody Schwarting (who we are very excited to talk more about China Court with next year!)
In Defense of Fanny Price by Haley Stewart (article)
Jane Austen’s Genius Guide to Life by Haley Stewart (book)
Alright, I digress….I am sure there are a myriad of more Mansfield Park Park resources and even more general Austen resources, but we must move on and read the actual book (and maybe make a meal or clean something….or maybe that’s just me)! So, enjoy Fanny Price and Mansfield and Sir Thomas!
We would love to hear what you think about Mansfield Park and can’t wait to discuss more!
Until next time, keep revisiting the good books that enrich your life and nourish your soul.
What We’re Reading Now:
August
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
Paid Subscriber Read-Along
Paradise Lost by John Milton
A Few Reminders:
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Focusing on the place and not the person may be a game-changer for me. I've never quite been satisfied with Mansfield Park as a book, and perhaps it's because I've put too much weight on Fanny.
I'm hoping to make it to the book club! I loved reading all of Austen this year, and my last of her novels was also Mansfield Park.