A meticulously-observed tale of the clash between obligation & desire Jane Austens Mansfield Park" is edited with an introduction & notes by Kathryn Sutherland in " Penguin Classics". Taken from the poverty of her parents home in Portsmouth Fanny Price is brought up with her rich cousins at Mansfield Park acutely aware of her humble rank & with her cousin Edmund Bertram as her sole ally. When her uncle Sir Thomas Birtram travels to Antigua siblings Mary & Henry Crawford arrive in the neighbourhood bringing with them the glamour of London life & a reckless taste for flirtation. As her female cousins vie for Henrys attention & even Edmund falls for Marys dazzling charms only Fanny remains doubtful about the Crawfords influence & finds herself more isolated than ever. " Mansfield Park" is considered Jane Austens first mature work & with its quiet heroine & subtle examination of social position & moral integrity one of her most profound. This edition is based on the first edition of 1814. It
Includes:: a chronology additional suggestions for further reading & the original " Penguin Classics" introduction by Tony Tanner. Jane Austen (1775-1817) was extremely modest about her own genius but has become one of English literatures most famous women writers. Austen began writing at a young age embarking on what is possibly her best-known work " Pride & Prejudice" at the age of 22. She was the author of " Sense & Sensibility" " Pride" & " Prejudice" " Emma" " Persuasion" " Mansfield Park" & " Northanger Abbey". If you enjoyed " Mansfield Park" you may like Elizabeth Gaskells " North & South" also available in " Penguin Classics". " The most perfect artist among women the writer whose books are immortal". (Virginia Woolf). " These modern editions are to be strongly recommended for their scrupulous texts informative notes & helpful introductions". (Brian Southam The Jane Austen Society)."