Mansfield Park (Introduction by Austin Dobson)

First published in 1814, “Mansfield Park” is Jane Austen’s third published novel, the story of Fanny Price, an impoverished young girl who at the age of ten is sent away by her overburdened family to be raised by her wealthy aunt and uncle, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, at their estate, the titular Mansfield Park. This classic coming of age story follows the young lives of Fanny and her four cousins, Tom, Edmund, Maria, and Julia. When Sir Thomas incurs a large debt he is forced to rent out the Mansfield Park parsonage which has been recently freed up by the death of the family’s Uncle Norris. Clergyman Dr. Grant and his wife take up residence in the parsonage and the aristocratic Crawford family from London joins them soon after. The arrival of the wealthy and fashionable Crawford family enlivens life at Mansfield Park and begins to spark romantic entanglements amongst its residents. While largely ignored by critics during her lifetime, “Mansfield Park” has since been recognized as one of Austen’s most mature works. The greatest financial success of Austen’s literary career, “Mansfield Park” is a brilliant and satirical depiction of the lives of the upper class in England during the early 19th century. This edition includes an introduction by Austin Dobson.