Mansfield Park

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Frances Barber

Length: 14 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

When the self-effacing 10-year-old Fanny Price is sent to live with her wealthy relations at Mansfield Park she seems shy and withdrawn beside her witty and vivacious cousins. Growing up in the Bertram household, she is always treated as an inferior, only finding an ally in her cousin Edmund. But Fanny's steadfast and purposeful character eventually makes her an indispensable part of the household. During the absence of Fanny's uncle, the others become entangled in a maze of flirtation and intrigue upon the arrival of Mary Crawford and her brother Henry. It is only Fanny whose deep but secret love for Edmund remains true despite his fascination with her brilliant but frivolous cousin Mary.

The most serious of Austen's works due to its discussion of religion and religious duty, Mansfield Park also offers a subtle examination of social position and moral integrity, making it one of Austen's most profound works.

Jane Austen was an English novelist known primarily for her six major novels which focused on the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Her plots often explore women's dependence on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security.

Narrator Biography

Frances Barber has received Olivier Award nominations for her work in the plays, Camille, and Uncle Vanya. Other theatre credits include; Madame Rubinstein, The School for Scandal, What The Butler Saw, Julius Caesar, Les Parents Terribles, That Face, Afterplay, Madame De Sade, and King Lear. Her numerous television credits include Father Brown, Medici: Masters of Florence, Mapp and Lucia, Psychobitches, The Spa, a new regular in the series Silk, several episodes of Doctor Who, Midsomer Murders and A Passionate Woman. Her film credits include The Escape; The Bookshop; Blue Iguana; Film Stars don't Die in Liverpool; El Elegido (The Chosen) and Mr. Holmes.

Frances Barbar has narrated an impressive list of titles, including The Chimney Sweeper's Boy by Barbara Vine, The Voyages of the Princess Matilda by Shane Spall and Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.

Public Domain (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Frances Barber offers a sterling performance, bringing life and sparkle to each character....Barber convincingly shifts from lord of the manor to sniveling servitude at the change of a sentence. And her narrative passages transparently tie the whole family together into one beautiful package." (AudioFile)

Not my favorite Austen novel

Frances Barber does an amazing job of narration. If you love Austen, you’ll love the book. Mansfield Park is my one of least favorite Austen novels, but that’s like naming your least favorite cheesecake. It’s still Austen and it’s still wonderful.

One of Jane Austen's Best

What made the experience of listening to Mansfield Park the most enjoyable?

It's Jane Austen

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mansfield Park?

Just read it!

Have you listened to any of Frances Barber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes. She is consistently good.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It's when Edward finally realizes that Mary is superficial.

Any additional comments?

You'll like it if you like Jane Austen.

amazing well read performance!

the narrator was beyond outstanding. her voices were delightful. especially Mrs Norris!!! definitely recommend to all lovers of Jane Austin.

The narrator did an excellent job.

I think the narrator, Frances Barber did an excellent job reading the book and giving the characters different voices within her own vocal range. Mrs. Norris was at first grating but she is a mean Aunt, a grating voice would fit her character, but the narrator altered it ever so nicely not to be shrill. I also find that the narrator's reading and character voices, made me like the book better on the whole. I would therefore highly recommend it to the end, especially as I could happily listen to it again.

Another masterpiece !

Thoroughly thoroughly enjoyed and loved it! Jane Austin can never be replaced, one never simply put it down!

Might Be Jane Austen’s Best!

I enjoyed every part of this book! I knew of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma long before I knew of this one, but Mansfield Park may have surpassed the others, in my estimation. I have read all of Ms. Austen’s novels, and this one is my favorite, with P&P the runner up. The story is great, and the narration in this version is wonderful!

Great narration!

This reader is really excellent with the voices of each characters.
And how nice to finally have a heroin who is not a high-intensity. Such a nice change!

Awesome as always

Jane did not disappoint. I love the tale and the heart warming ending. The narrator is not my favorite but she does all right. I wish more people read this book.

Fanny Price is a weak protagonist

I can see why Mansfield Park doesn’t receive the same praise and celebration as Pride and Prejudice or Emma. Fanny is unfortunately a very weak protagonist. She doesn’t stand out until all other Park residents and guests are out of view. The entire first half of the novel literally only references Fanny being the background character to everyone else’s story. I understand the creative decision, but i think it was taken a bit too far. I found it uninspiring to hear about all these other flawed characters for 4 hours with virtually single lines per chapter dedicated to the person who was supposed to be the protagonist. It was only the final half that i really enjoyed and got involved with. The ending is a wiki summarization to be honest. I wish we could’ve seen how things unfolded with a few scenes rather than just being told.
Susan is my favorite character. And the best plot point was the relationship between Lord Bertram and Fanny.
Oh. And the narration worked for me.

Very enjoyable

Loved the book. Loved the reader. Was sorry to say goodbye to these characters.