Jane Austen Sequels- Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment, by Joan Aiken
Joan Aiken’s Mansfield Park Revisited is a Regency era sequel which tells the story of Susan, sister of Fanny Price, after Fanny and her husband Edward Bertram depart for their honeymoon. By choosing one of Jane Austen’s less popular or well-known novels as the basis for her novel, Aiken challenges herself to envision a sequel that will capture fans of more popular Austen books such as Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility.
Susan Price is the focus of Mansfiels Park Revisited, and the story follows her as she takes her sister’s place as the companion to Lady Bertram. With all the drawbacks, dramatics and surprises such a position entails, Susan finds her life is drastically changed nearly overnight. Susan’s spunky character makes her the perfect focus for a sequel to Mansfield Park with her much sweeter and quieter main character, Fanny.
The novel delves into the stories of many of the supporting characters of the original novel, fleshes them out and sometimes surprises us with new insights into their characters.
Austen purists may be surprised at the transformation of the depiction of the Crawfords, whom Aiken turns from antagonists into sympathetic characters by taking a somewhat deeper look at their circumstances and upbringings. Aiken’s novel is not dependent on its predecessor and any reader will enjoy this story without having read any previous writings by Austen.
Unlike some authors, Ms. Aiken makes no attempt to mimic the writing style of Austen or other Regency writers. Instead she uses her own engaging voice to reinvent several characters from the original novel as well as introducing some of her own. Mindful of her audience, Aiken crafts a plot with plenty or romantic entanglements and intrigues with wit and charm.
If you have enjoyed any of Aiken’s other Jane Austen sequels in the past, you are sure to enjoy this one as well. Her unique voice and style are always a pleasure to read.
Joan Aiken is the author of five Jane Austen sequels, continuations and adaptations. Her Jane Austen related works include: The Watsons and Emma Watson: Jane Austen’s Unfinished Novel Completed by Joan Aiken, Jane Fairfax: The Secret Story of the Second Heroine in Jane Austen’s Emma, Eliza’s Daughter: A Sequel to Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park Revisited: A Jane Austen Entertainment, Lady Catherine’s Necklace: A Jane Austen Entertainment, in addition to her numerous other published novels. You can learn more about her impressive literary accomplishments on her website joanaiken.com.
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