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Henry and Fanny: An Alternate Ending to Mansfield Park
One of the longest-running debates about Jane Austen’s work has been the problematical ending of MANSFIELD PARK. Sherwood Smith feels that part of the problem is that the narrative stops abruptly in Book Three, Chapter XVII. Here the narrator takes the stage to issue a long summary of what happened, after all those brilliant pages of immersing readers in the minds of the characters and their world.
When she read James Austen-Leigh’s memoir about his famous aunt in which he reported sister Cassandra begging Jane for a different ending, Smith gained the courage to join the host of other authors who love to play in Jane Austen’s world, and take up the story from that point and offer a new ending.
When she read James Austen-Leigh’s memoir about his famous aunt in which he reported sister Cassandra begging Jane for a different ending, Smith gained the courage to join the host of other authors who love to play in Jane Austen’s world, and take up the story from that point and offer a new ending.
109 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2015
15 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Sherwood Smith
168 books37.5k followersI am a writer,( Patreon here) but I'm on Goodreads to talk about books, as I've been a passionate reader as long as I've been a writer--since early childhood.
I'm not going to rate books--there are too many variables. I'd rather talk about the reading experience. My 'reviews' of my books are confined to the writing process.
I'm not going to rate books--there are too many variables. I'd rather talk about the reading experience. My 'reviews' of my books are confined to the writing process.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 22, 2017
4.5 stars. **Note: Spoilers for Mansfield Park**
Does Edmund seem as dull as dishwater as a romantic hero? Was his relationship with Fanny just hero worship for her, and settling for him? Are Henry and Mary Crawford not as irredeemable to you as Jane Austen felt they were? If those questions have ever run through your mind, you should give Sherwood Smith's Henry and Fanny a read.
Henry and Fanny begins a few chapters from the end of MP, with Henry Crawford on his way to a party at Fanny's cousin Maria's home. As in MP, she gives him the cold shoulder, he pursues, she entices him ... and he runs away, realizing that he's not really attracted to her and it would be a stupid thing to fall into an affair with her. Maria pursues him and, despite the fact that nothing actually happens between them in this version of the story, there's still a scandal. Henry takes off, deciding to buy a yacht to help the war effort by carrying secret dispatches.
Meanwhile, back at Mansfield Park, Fanny gradually comes to the realization that the brotherly kind of love Edmund has for her isn't good enough for her, and so she gently discourages him from proposing to her. In fact, Fanny subtly encourages Mary Crawford to give it another try with Edmund, and Mary, realizing that a simpler life with Edmund will make her happier than the glittering life in London society, decides to take her up on it. Will Edmund be willing to give her another chance?
I read Mansfield Park right before I started this "alternative ending" novella, and I had done quite a lot of critical reading to prepare myself for a book club discussion of MP (because I was in charge of leading the discussion). Because of that study, I was fairly convinced by Jane Austen's approach to the various romantic relationships in MP, from a literary and realistic point of view, so I started out a little skeptical here. Also, Sherwood's narrative voice was different enough from Jane Austen's that it took me a while to slip into the story, and even longer to buy into the underlying premise.
But in the end this alternative version had me, if not entirely logically convinced, at least very happy and more romantically satisfied. I have to say this story is a lot more heartwarming than the real ending. Sherwood Smith doesn't rush the plot here--it takes place over a couple of years--and that pacing helped it feel more natural and believable. By the end the writing was beginning to feel very much like Austen's. And the idea of Mrs. Norris being sent down to Portsmouth to stay with Fanny's family, and taking charge there and whipping them into shape, was genius, and absolutely delightful.
I enthusiastically recommend this for Austen fans, unless you're a committed purist or actually like the way Mansfield Park ends.
Initial comments: Now I just have to read Mansfield Park again before I read Sherwood Smith's alternate ending here. I have a feeling I'll like it better than the actual ending. :)
Does Edmund seem as dull as dishwater as a romantic hero? Was his relationship with Fanny just hero worship for her, and settling for him? Are Henry and Mary Crawford not as irredeemable to you as Jane Austen felt they were? If those questions have ever run through your mind, you should give Sherwood Smith's Henry and Fanny a read.
Henry and Fanny begins a few chapters from the end of MP, with Henry Crawford on his way to a party at Fanny's cousin Maria's home. As in MP, she gives him the cold shoulder, he pursues, she entices him ... and he runs away, realizing that he's not really attracted to her and it would be a stupid thing to fall into an affair with her. Maria pursues him and, despite the fact that nothing actually happens between them in this version of the story, there's still a scandal. Henry takes off, deciding to buy a yacht to help the war effort by carrying secret dispatches.
Meanwhile, back at Mansfield Park, Fanny gradually comes to the realization that the brotherly kind of love Edmund has for her isn't good enough for her, and so she gently discourages him from proposing to her. In fact, Fanny subtly encourages Mary Crawford to give it another try with Edmund, and Mary, realizing that a simpler life with Edmund will make her happier than the glittering life in London society, decides to take her up on it. Will Edmund be willing to give her another chance?
I read Mansfield Park right before I started this "alternative ending" novella, and I had done quite a lot of critical reading to prepare myself for a book club discussion of MP (because I was in charge of leading the discussion). Because of that study, I was fairly convinced by Jane Austen's approach to the various romantic relationships in MP, from a literary and realistic point of view, so I started out a little skeptical here. Also, Sherwood's narrative voice was different enough from Jane Austen's that it took me a while to slip into the story, and even longer to buy into the underlying premise.
But in the end this alternative version had me, if not entirely logically convinced, at least very happy and more romantically satisfied. I have to say this story is a lot more heartwarming than the real ending. Sherwood Smith doesn't rush the plot here--it takes place over a couple of years--and that pacing helped it feel more natural and believable. By the end the writing was beginning to feel very much like Austen's. And the idea of Mrs. Norris being sent down to Portsmouth to stay with Fanny's family, and taking charge there and whipping them into shape, was genius, and absolutely delightful.
I enthusiastically recommend this for Austen fans, unless you're a committed purist or actually like the way Mansfield Park ends.
Initial comments: Now I just have to read Mansfield Park again before I read Sherwood Smith's alternate ending here. I have a feeling I'll like it better than the actual ending. :)
October 17, 2025
2025 Review
I didn’t remember too many specifics, so I enjoyed it probably just as much this time around. The author does, in my opinion, a very creditable job of creating a scenario where Henry becomes a better man, worthy of Fanny, and she falls in love with him; whereas in the real story, Fanny is happy when Edmund just kind of settles for her. From a romance perspective, there is no contest. However, we know that Jane really didn’t write romances, so I’ll continue to appreciate the original in all its glory, while secretly much preferring this ending.
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2019 Review
I loved this so much! I devoured it in less than a day.
For all Jane Austen fans who struggle with the ending of Mansfield Park; who never wanted Fanny and Edmund to end up together; who never found Mary and Henry to be all that bad - please read this! I promise you will enjoy it.
I didn’t remember too many specifics, so I enjoyed it probably just as much this time around. The author does, in my opinion, a very creditable job of creating a scenario where Henry becomes a better man, worthy of Fanny, and she falls in love with him; whereas in the real story, Fanny is happy when Edmund just kind of settles for her. From a romance perspective, there is no contest. However, we know that Jane really didn’t write romances, so I’ll continue to appreciate the original in all its glory, while secretly much preferring this ending.
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2019 Review
I loved this so much! I devoured it in less than a day.
For all Jane Austen fans who struggle with the ending of Mansfield Park; who never wanted Fanny and Edmund to end up together; who never found Mary and Henry to be all that bad - please read this! I promise you will enjoy it.
June 20, 2022
Mansfield Park is not a general favorite amongst Austen lovers yet I confess that it has always been a personal favorite holding second place of the Austen stories. Though I do love it, I confess that secretly my mind did do a bit of 'what if-ing' when it came to the way things ended up there in the end. So it was with profound interest that I grabbed up this 'what if' variation that begins more than half-way through the original story to take things in a much different direction for several people and yet still hold a tone that felt very authentic and believable.
The forward to the story is not to be missed. The author takes to the time to argue through all the items that bother people about the book and some of the characters. It was gratifying to read someone articulate some of the things that I've attempted to argue for years as to why I was perfectly fine with this being a favorite story and Fanny a good heroine.
As to the story, itself. The story starts out with an up close and personal to Henry Crawford's moment of weakness with Maria Bertram though the variation began then, too. Henry stops things and ends it after a kiss. He leaves. Only the thwarted Maria rushes to entangle him again and though he sought to get away, the damage is done. The rest of the story is Henry going away because he can't bare to be around when, in his mind, the inevitable takes place of Fanny marrying Edmund. Amongst those he left behind, subtle changes are taking place particularly in the thinking and heart of Fanny to see things clearly and judge things differently than had been in the past. It leaves things in a much different place for a few people. And I was pleased as punch to see this.
I loved how the author drew on Jane Austen's tone of writing yet brought out different aspects of the characters that aren't new because they were hinted at in the original. It's interesting what subtle tweaks did to the outcome. I liked that the author allowed for William Price to become a more solid secondary character and the dashing Captain Wentworth from Persuasion was there in the background as William's captain. I think many people will enjoy the growth and change in Fanny Price, Edmund Bertram, and the Crawford siblings. I know I did.
All in all, I found this a satisfying read and encourage other Austenesque Lovers to give it a go.
The forward to the story is not to be missed. The author takes to the time to argue through all the items that bother people about the book and some of the characters. It was gratifying to read someone articulate some of the things that I've attempted to argue for years as to why I was perfectly fine with this being a favorite story and Fanny a good heroine.
As to the story, itself. The story starts out with an up close and personal to Henry Crawford's moment of weakness with Maria Bertram though the variation began then, too. Henry stops things and ends it after a kiss. He leaves. Only the thwarted Maria rushes to entangle him again and though he sought to get away, the damage is done. The rest of the story is Henry going away because he can't bare to be around when, in his mind, the inevitable takes place of Fanny marrying Edmund. Amongst those he left behind, subtle changes are taking place particularly in the thinking and heart of Fanny to see things clearly and judge things differently than had been in the past. It leaves things in a much different place for a few people. And I was pleased as punch to see this.
I loved how the author drew on Jane Austen's tone of writing yet brought out different aspects of the characters that aren't new because they were hinted at in the original. It's interesting what subtle tweaks did to the outcome. I liked that the author allowed for William Price to become a more solid secondary character and the dashing Captain Wentworth from Persuasion was there in the background as William's captain. I think many people will enjoy the growth and change in Fanny Price, Edmund Bertram, and the Crawford siblings. I know I did.
All in all, I found this a satisfying read and encourage other Austenesque Lovers to give it a go.
June 1, 2017
Henry and Fanny: An Alternate Ending to Mansfield Park by Sherwood Smith is really a novel fragment: it picks up unceremoniously at the point in Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park when Fanny is in Portsmouth and has heard that Tom Bertram is critically ill. *Advisory: This book would probably make no sense to anyone not familiar with the storyline of Mansfield Park.*
This story did not start out too promisingly for me—it didn’t feel like something Jane Austen would have written. Probably that’s because the early scenes involve Henry Crawford and Maria Bertram and their thoughts, as well as locations that Jane Austen never wrote about. But as I went along, my respect for the author grew and grew. Her understanding of the period’s history and manners is impeccable; her dialogue is highly sophisticated; and she makes a very convincing case—if you believe that people can learn and grow, which I do—for her alternative ending.
The language began a little rough but became more Austenesque as it went along, as Smith delved into the characters. I think what made this book feel a bit non-Austenian for me was the focus on the characters; in Mansfield Park more than any other Austen novel, I believe, the author was focused on themes before individuals. But in the end, Henry and Fanny is a very respectable, fully fleshed out story in its own right, so I can’t find fault just because it isn’t someone else’s book. I read this with absorption and pleasure and am impressed once again by Sherwood Smith’s mad skills. She writes for well-educated grownups, and I thank her for that!
This story did not start out too promisingly for me—it didn’t feel like something Jane Austen would have written. Probably that’s because the early scenes involve Henry Crawford and Maria Bertram and their thoughts, as well as locations that Jane Austen never wrote about. But as I went along, my respect for the author grew and grew. Her understanding of the period’s history and manners is impeccable; her dialogue is highly sophisticated; and she makes a very convincing case—if you believe that people can learn and grow, which I do—for her alternative ending.
The language began a little rough but became more Austenesque as it went along, as Smith delved into the characters. I think what made this book feel a bit non-Austenian for me was the focus on the characters; in Mansfield Park more than any other Austen novel, I believe, the author was focused on themes before individuals. But in the end, Henry and Fanny is a very respectable, fully fleshed out story in its own right, so I can’t find fault just because it isn’t someone else’s book. I read this with absorption and pleasure and am impressed once again by Sherwood Smith’s mad skills. She writes for well-educated grownups, and I thank her for that!
October 10, 2016
First of all let me say that I come to this novel firmly on the side of Edward and Fanny ending up together. I never liked Henry Crawford and detested Mary.
I have to say I'm a convert!! I loved what the author did here. Henry became rather likable and Mary even mellowed a bit, even though I still couldn't quite take her to heart. Looking back at Mansfield Park's actual ending, it now seems a bit disjointed and uneven. This ending just flows along and you're pulled into the story even against you're will.
I love the mention of Captain Wentworth and the Laconia. Very well done I thought.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone who originally wanted Fanny and Henry to be together and to the doubters, like myself, who thought Henry couldn't be redeemed.
I have to say I'm a convert!! I loved what the author did here. Henry became rather likable and Mary even mellowed a bit, even though I still couldn't quite take her to heart. Looking back at Mansfield Park's actual ending, it now seems a bit disjointed and uneven. This ending just flows along and you're pulled into the story even against you're will.
I love the mention of Captain Wentworth and the Laconia. Very well done I thought.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone who originally wanted Fanny and Henry to be together and to the doubters, like myself, who thought Henry couldn't be redeemed.
December 21, 2015
Sherwood Smith is one of those people who knows a lot about a lot of stuff!! Her tastes are wide and she has expert levels of knowledge that allow her to write anything from military high fantasy (INDA!!) to Regency romances. Every single thing I've read by her has been nothing short of completely engrossing and fabulous.
I ran onto a few of these short Jane Austen 'odes' as you might call them and decided that I'd see what they were about. I usually avoid all the extra Jane Austen hangers on like the plague ("Darcy's Christmas" or "Mr. Darcy Has Quintuplets") but, as stated above, Ms. Smith has built up credit with me as a reader and I figured I owed it a chance.
And here's the thing: Mansfield Park is my FAVORITE Austen novel. FAVORITE. I know that's an unpopular opinion, but I feel like it's her most deftly written, the most fulfilling story, the most scandalous and satisfying for the villains of the pieces, and just GOOD. Another reason for me to be skeptical of a rewrite.
But here's another thing: The first time I read MP, I was completely wooed by Henry Crawford's attempts to woo Fanny. He was genuine. He was ... different. He was actually in love! I really believed it, which made the rug-pull at the end even more fun for me actually. It was as if Jane said "Now now. You know there's always a Wrong Man and a Right Man. How could you think I'd let her end up with the Wrong Man?" and then I said "Oh Jane, you trickster! That was a good one!" Tons of fun. But a little bit wistful because yeah, Henry was better at the love thing than Edmund ever was.
Enter this alternate ending. Ms. Smith's forward to this little piece of delightful fan-fiction explains her reasoning perfectly and quite soundly. In her opinion, Henry and Maria shouldn't have happened (Henry wasn't so stupid and impulsive), Ms. Austen was rather stubborn in choosing to end the book the way she did (after Cassandra begged her to change it), and Edmund was still wildly in love with Mary Crawford to be happy with Fanny. Fanny's attachment to Edmund was simply the attachment of a school girl to someone who was her only defender in a house full of horrible people. She'd eventually grow out of that, too. Ok, fine. I was willing to bite.
And dang it if it wasn't crazy satisfying. It feels sacrilegious to accept an alternate ending to a Jane Austen novel, not to mention my FAVORITE Jane Austen novel. But I think I have. Henry got his second chance and I completely loved him (some more). I recommend this read if you can get over any superstitions you may have about letting an Austen heroine end up in the arms of the Wrong Man. But if he's Wrong (oh yes I am going there) then I don't want to be right.
I ran onto a few of these short Jane Austen 'odes' as you might call them and decided that I'd see what they were about. I usually avoid all the extra Jane Austen hangers on like the plague ("Darcy's Christmas" or "Mr. Darcy Has Quintuplets") but, as stated above, Ms. Smith has built up credit with me as a reader and I figured I owed it a chance.
And here's the thing: Mansfield Park is my FAVORITE Austen novel. FAVORITE. I know that's an unpopular opinion, but I feel like it's her most deftly written, the most fulfilling story, the most scandalous and satisfying for the villains of the pieces, and just GOOD. Another reason for me to be skeptical of a rewrite.
But here's another thing: The first time I read MP, I was completely wooed by Henry Crawford's attempts to woo Fanny. He was genuine. He was ... different. He was actually in love! I really believed it, which made the rug-pull at the end even more fun for me actually. It was as if Jane said "Now now. You know there's always a Wrong Man and a Right Man. How could you think I'd let her end up with the Wrong Man?" and then I said "Oh Jane, you trickster! That was a good one!" Tons of fun. But a little bit wistful because yeah, Henry was better at the love thing than Edmund ever was.
Enter this alternate ending. Ms. Smith's forward to this little piece of delightful fan-fiction explains her reasoning perfectly and quite soundly. In her opinion, Henry and Maria shouldn't have happened (Henry wasn't so stupid and impulsive), Ms. Austen was rather stubborn in choosing to end the book the way she did (after Cassandra begged her to change it), and Edmund was still wildly in love with Mary Crawford to be happy with Fanny. Fanny's attachment to Edmund was simply the attachment of a school girl to someone who was her only defender in a house full of horrible people. She'd eventually grow out of that, too. Ok, fine. I was willing to bite.
And dang it if it wasn't crazy satisfying. It feels sacrilegious to accept an alternate ending to a Jane Austen novel, not to mention my FAVORITE Jane Austen novel. But I think I have. Henry got his second chance and I completely loved him (some more). I recommend this read if you can get over any superstitions you may have about letting an Austen heroine end up in the arms of the Wrong Man. But if he's Wrong (oh yes I am going there) then I don't want to be right.
January 15, 2024
Going to tell my kids this is the unofficial ending to Mansfield Park!
In all seriousness, this was a captivating and well-crafted AU for Austen's most debated novel.
While I have made my peace with the canonical ending, I can never shake off the sense of injustice for the way the Crawfords were treated by Austen, or think of Fanny forever living in the shadow of Mansfield Park as anything but lost potential. Therefore, it was beyond satisfying to read about these characters finally step out of their narrow roles and work for the HEAs they deserve.
In all seriousness, this was a captivating and well-crafted AU for Austen's most debated novel.
While I have made my peace with the canonical ending, I can never shake off the sense of injustice for the way the Crawfords were treated by Austen, or think of Fanny forever living in the shadow of Mansfield Park as anything but lost potential. Therefore, it was beyond satisfying to read about these characters finally step out of their narrow roles and work for the HEAs they deserve.
June 19, 2020
I finally got to read this book in the most fantastical way imaginable. But that’s another story for another day.
I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy it. I did. But I wasn’t convinced. I think the second writer didn’t understand the context of the story, nor the characters. Therefore the alternate ending felt forced to me. For this ending to have happened in any plausible way, the scene with Maria and Henry shouldn’t have happened. Fanny’s change of heart should have been achieved in another way.
I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy it. I did. But I wasn’t convinced. I think the second writer didn’t understand the context of the story, nor the characters. Therefore the alternate ending felt forced to me. For this ending to have happened in any plausible way, the scene with Maria and Henry shouldn’t have happened. Fanny’s change of heart should have been achieved in another way.
March 29, 2016
This is precisely what the title says. If you've ever wondered "what if Fanny ended up with Henry instead of Edmund", then you just might enjoy this. I did! Ms. Smith strove to make it feel very much like Austen's writing and did a fair job of it in my opinion. And whether you agree with this new ending or no, it is an enjoyable read and a nice addition to Ms. Austen's famous work. :)
April 24, 2025
An alternative ending where both of the Crawford siblings get belivable character development and a happy ending on top - perfect! it is also amazing how everyone stayed on character
June 23, 2020
:) Einfach nett, dass es Fanfic gibt, und ich finds gut, fand den christlichen content ein bisschen ... wie von jemandem geschrieben, der sich nicht gut damit auskennt, alles mehr so Gemeinplätze, aber ansonsten teil ich die Ansichten, die dieses alternative Ende über die Charaktere hat.
August 29, 2020
Torn on the rating, because while I enjoyed this ending so much better than Mansfield Park, it didn’t feel at all like I was reading the same author/story/characters
September 7, 2020
Smith doesn’t quite pull off a believable change of so many hearts, but it’s certainly an entertaining read.
June 29, 2015
Une bonne idée que celle de cette fin alternative à Mansfield Park (qui est le roman de Jane Austen que j'aime le moins) ! En effet, j'ai toujours eu du mal à accepter le couple Edmund/Fanny et pensé qu'elle aurait du finir avec Henry histoire de donner un peu de sel à Fanny ( qui est l'heroïne austennienne que j'apprécie le moins). Cette version commence donc au moment de la fugue amoureuse de Maria & Henry. Sauf que cette fois, Henry ne succombe pas à la tentation de faire sienne Maria et l'abandonne dans une auberge sans l'avoir touchée. Partant de cette idée, les sentiments de Fanny peuvent s'épanouir tandis qu'Edmund continue sa poursuite ambivalente de Mary ( parce que j'ai aussi toujours considéré qu'Edmund aimait trop Mary pour être véritablement amoureux de Fanny, leur mariage final me semble une union par défaut, au moins de son côté à lui). L'histoire est bien construite et au final, je suis convaincue par cette fin (même si l'auteure nous présente Edmund sous son pire jour, mais bon c'est le jeu). J'ai aussi apprécié le fait qu'elle laisse le temps aux sentiments de Fanny pour mûrir, elle ne l'a pas fait renoncer à Edmund en un claquement de doigts.
Ce que j'aime : la relation Henry/Fanny et le personnage de Mary
Ce que j'aime moins : les lettres de William too much, le changement trop radical parfois de Henry
En bref : Une jolie fin alternative que j'aurais préféré à celle de l'auteur
Ma note
7,5/10
Ce que j'aime : la relation Henry/Fanny et le personnage de Mary
Ce que j'aime moins : les lettres de William too much, le changement trop radical parfois de Henry
En bref : Une jolie fin alternative que j'aurais préféré à celle de l'auteur
Ma note
7,5/10
August 17, 2015
I like this MP revisited book better that the other I read just before. It takes the story at the moment of Henry/Maria elopement. Only it's not really happening and it's more like a trap for Henry.
Some years pass and people grow up. People die, people open their eyes, people open their heart.
Edmund and Fanny slowly realize they are not meant to be wife and husband. And Henry and Fanny found each other a year later and Henry's feelings are unchanged. Fanny is in love. And people have forgiven him.
I do not ship Mary and Edmund, never have, so I am a bit annoyed that they end up together in this book, but it is done quite nicely, and she is quite likeable here.
(I kind of ship Edmund with Susan).
The letters of William are quite long and I haven't read them all, I have to admit. I like that a certain Captain Wentworth appears in those letters (persuasion reference)
Some years pass and people grow up. People die, people open their eyes, people open their heart.
Edmund and Fanny slowly realize they are not meant to be wife and husband. And Henry and Fanny found each other a year later and Henry's feelings are unchanged. Fanny is in love. And people have forgiven him.
I do not ship Mary and Edmund, never have, so I am a bit annoyed that they end up together in this book, but it is done quite nicely, and she is quite likeable here.
(I kind of ship Edmund with Susan).
The letters of William are quite long and I haven't read them all, I have to admit. I like that a certain Captain Wentworth appears in those letters (persuasion reference)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2020
The real ending of Mansfield park was so disappointing, rushed, and frankly creepy, that I felt compelled to read this version if only to pretend that the book actually ended in this manner. Much improved!
February 21, 2019
This is a much better ending than the original, I think.
July 24, 2016
I thoroughly enjoyed this alternate ending to my least favorite Austen novel. I also loved Sherwoods commentary at the beginning.
February 6, 2020
Although I thought that this was a very plausible ending to Mansfield Park, I felt like it took forever for Henry and Fanny to get together!
January 9, 2023
This is pretty ingeniously done. The writing style isn't always a pitch-perfect Jane Austen imitation, but it's a pretty good match for Mansfield Park. The introduction sets up many critiques of the original that I almost universally agreed with, and the subsequent narrative addresses them well with a keen eye for incorporating as many details as possible from the original text (and some amusing allusions to other Austen novels).
Maybe I'm missing something from the original, but I just didn't enjoy it -- and this new, more satisfying, more fleshed-out ending made me like the story much better. Without ever having been a fan of Henry's in the original, here, I'm swayed and I buy his change of heart as a reformed rake.
The book starts very near the end of the original story, with Henry Crawford's encounter with Maria Rushworth, and paints a picture of a man who is at fault, but not as irredeemably (or even primarily) as suggested in the original. It picks up again with the chapter where Fanny receives the letter from Mary Crawford insisting that the scandalous rumors aren't true, and then takes us inside many of the conversations that are only alluded to or described in the past tense in the original. Fanny and Edmund get some much-needed character growth, and Henry and Mary get redemption, but slowly, and within a detailed narrative, instead of in a summary by a narrator. The alternate ending changes some of the facts to launch the new plot direction, and continues to diverge as time passes, but largely keeps the characters acting in ways that feel plausible. And -- this is among the hardest changes to go with, but also among the most satisfying -- Fanny actually makes a few decisions and takes some action!
Maybe I'm missing something from the original, but I just didn't enjoy it -- and this new, more satisfying, more fleshed-out ending made me like the story much better. Without ever having been a fan of Henry's in the original, here, I'm swayed and I buy his change of heart as a reformed rake.
The book starts very near the end of the original story, with Henry Crawford's encounter with Maria Rushworth, and paints a picture of a man who is at fault, but not as irredeemably (or even primarily) as suggested in the original. It picks up again with the chapter where Fanny receives the letter from Mary Crawford insisting that the scandalous rumors aren't true, and then takes us inside many of the conversations that are only alluded to or described in the past tense in the original. Fanny and Edmund get some much-needed character growth, and Henry and Mary get redemption, but slowly, and within a detailed narrative, instead of in a summary by a narrator. The alternate ending changes some of the facts to launch the new plot direction, and continues to diverge as time passes, but largely keeps the characters acting in ways that feel plausible. And -- this is among the hardest changes to go with, but also among the most satisfying -- Fanny actually makes a few decisions and takes some action!
November 28, 2020
3.5 stars ⭐️ I resolved to find an alternate ending to Mansfield Park and immediately came across this satisfying account, redeeming the Crawford siblings and matching them with certainly their moral superiors, Edmund Bertram and Fanny Price. I really like how the author sets about maturing Fanny emotionally and uses Fanny’s legendary moral compass to encourage forgiveness and redemption of the Crawfords and of Maria. It rings true coming from her. I’m not sure how I feel about why it was only the Crawfords who are redeemed; why could not Julia and Maria encounter changes of heart and spirit? We’re left with an unchanged opinion of the end, much like their unchanged opinion of Fanny. Why did Sir Thomas have to die? Why was Susan so easily ascribed to the background as Lady Bertram’s full-time companion without thought to educate and refine her? These are the questions I’m left with, although ultimately, I believe the author did right by Fanny in giving her the awareness and spirit to recognize a union with Edmund would always mean he settled for second best.
September 9, 2020
Interesting and well-written alternate ending to the controversial Jane Austen classic Mansfield Park. I'm not entirely convinced that Henry would be a better match for Fanny (I like Edmund's conviction and character), but this is an entertaining read. This version of Henry doesn't exactly match Austen's description of him in the novel, but if he really did reform, it would be a romantic ending for Fanny.
February 12, 2021
Surprisingly enjoyable!
I don’t usually go in for other authors’ reimagined versions of the classics, but I did genuinely enjoy Sherwood Smith. Smith is no Austen, nor is there any pretence to be. Instead what is left is a genuinely well-worked interpretation, where Smith has clearly studied the Georgian period to bring as much accuracy to the portrayal as possible. An enjoyable alternative take, with an ending that many of Austen’s contemporaries would have preferred.
I don’t usually go in for other authors’ reimagined versions of the classics, but I did genuinely enjoy Sherwood Smith. Smith is no Austen, nor is there any pretence to be. Instead what is left is a genuinely well-worked interpretation, where Smith has clearly studied the Georgian period to bring as much accuracy to the portrayal as possible. An enjoyable alternative take, with an ending that many of Austen’s contemporaries would have preferred.
November 14, 2022
Ok some parts of this reimagining were funny, such as the Betram's way to deal with Mrs. Norris is by dropping her off at her sister Price's to help "manage" them, and how she won't leave until someone pays for her carriage ride away, and also that Fanny falls out of love with Edmund because he won't stop talking about Mary after their final split, but most of all this annoyed me and so while it was amusing I didn't much enjoy it.
2.5 stars.
2.5 stars.
November 28, 2023
If you hate Edmund and Fanny as a couple, if you think Edmund is a terrible romantic hero, if you wanted to see Henry get a redemption arc, this is the novella for you. It’s not the best written retelling ever, but I was curious to see how Mansfield Park’s ending could be changed and this satisfied it. I did really like that Fanny grew as a character and was allowed to blossom in her own right rather than being stuck with Edmund, so top marks for that.
May 6, 2024
A thoughtfully structured alternative ending
I really enjoyed this short but well written alternative ending to Mansfield Park. I am one of the rarer group of Austenites who enjoys Mansfield Park very much, but the ending is a little disappointing. It is difficult to imagine any real romance between Fanny and Edmund and so I very much appreciated Sherwood Smith's attempt to recast the ending of the book.
I really enjoyed this short but well written alternative ending to Mansfield Park. I am one of the rarer group of Austenites who enjoys Mansfield Park very much, but the ending is a little disappointing. It is difficult to imagine any real romance between Fanny and Edmund and so I very much appreciated Sherwood Smith's attempt to recast the ending of the book.
July 14, 2020
In this Mansfield Park variation we begin when Henry Crawford attends a party where he meets Mrs Maria Crawford. Will he think of Fanny Price or be peeved by Maria's assumed indifference. Fanny is in Portsmouth and Tom Bertram severely ill at home.
Is it possible for any of them to have a happy ending.
An enjoyable and well-written variation.
Is it possible for any of them to have a happy ending.
An enjoyable and well-written variation.
January 21, 2022
Enjoyable alternate ending
Although I didn't like all the naval talk, this alternate ending to Mansfield Park was really well done. I think the author went into too much detail in certain areas, like William's naval career, but I think he did a good job considering each character's personality. The vocabulary had me pulling up my dictionary quite a few times.
Although I didn't like all the naval talk, this alternate ending to Mansfield Park was really well done. I think the author went into too much detail in certain areas, like William's naval career, but I think he did a good job considering each character's personality. The vocabulary had me pulling up my dictionary quite a few times.
December 31, 2022
A reimagining of Mansfield Park which provides what many people regard as the 'right' ending. It is well written in a reasonable Austen-style, although I was a little surprised that one of the characters was 'trolling' for information near the end of the book.
I did enjoy this and, in a genre obssessed with Lizzy and Darcy, it is very pleasant to tackle one of Austen's other works
I did enjoy this and, in a genre obssessed with Lizzy and Darcy, it is very pleasant to tackle one of Austen's other works
December 1, 2025
This rewritten ending of Mansfield Park--a novella that requires you to read Mansfield Park first--was very satisfying. I felt it remained true to Austen's era and the characters as she wrote them. Both Fanny and Henry go through more life experiences before they can recognize that they belong together. An enjoyable read.
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