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Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story
Mansfield Park is the only novel in which Jane Austen gives her readers a glimpse of an alternative ending and reveals that Fanny's fate might have been very different. Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story answers that possibility and further explores the lives and choices of Austen's fascinating and delightful cast of characters.
Fanny, a poor relation living with her wealthy aunt and uncle, must find her place and hold her own in a family that is still learning to value her. No longer guided in everything by her cousin, Edmund, Fanny must judge for herself, act with initiative, and navigate the attentions of potential suitors.
Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story continues in Austen's tradition of social satire, clever dialogue, and witty observations combined with Amelia Marie Logan's own style and charm. If the rushed ending of Mansfield Park left you unsatisfied, you will love Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story.
Fanny, a poor relation living with her wealthy aunt and uncle, must find her place and hold her own in a family that is still learning to value her. No longer guided in everything by her cousin, Edmund, Fanny must judge for herself, act with initiative, and navigate the attentions of potential suitors.
Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story continues in Austen's tradition of social satire, clever dialogue, and witty observations combined with Amelia Marie Logan's own style and charm. If the rushed ending of Mansfield Park left you unsatisfied, you will love Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
324 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2021
14 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Amelia Marie Logan
1 book23 followersI am a Jane Austen enthusiast, scholar, and fanfiction author. I am also an active member of the Jane Austen Society of North America. I have been writing Jane Austen fanfiction stories for over twenty years. I have learned a lot in the process and made some great friends along the way. Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story is my first published novel. It has been a labor of love which has taken me years to complete. I have several ideas for additional novels, which are in various stages of completion. In the meantime, you can find other stories I've written on my website at ameliamarielogan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
March 26, 2021
There is that moment nearing the end of the novel Mansfield Park when Jane Austen steps away for a smidge of speculation before marching on to the end. What did she speculate? She asked her own 'what-if' and tantalizes readers with the possibility of the path not taken. In point of act, she asks what-if Henry Crawford had followed his intention of going on from London to Everingham to work on his estate matter? Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story is the result of the author exploring that very what-if and I was happy to see how it resulted.
Beginning at that point in the original Mansfield Park, Fanny begins with Fanny Price being taken back to Mansfield by her cousin Edmund to companion her aunt after Tom, the eldest is brought home gravely ill from poor living and a riding accident. Fanny, the quiet helper and observer watches her aunt and uncle fear the worst along with her cousin Edmund worn down by care while Tom's sisters are away at their pleasures in London and Mary Crawford writes with eager speculation what life at Mansfield will be like when Tom passes and Edmund slides into the role of heir. Secretly in love with Edmund, Fanny can only ache in her heart to see Edmund in love more than ever to Mary Crawford and despise everyone's speculation that she will eventually accept to audacious flirt, Henry Crawford's proposal.
Over the course of many months, Fanny's life is upheaved and to her great surprise, it is Henry Crawford who makes sure of her comfort and cares to notice her even while his own character seems to have altered completely even when he is tempted by Maria's seductive wiles and Julia's efforts to secure him. Fanny doesn't trust his seeming changes even as she is appreciative of his kind friendship. In the end, a series of events lead her to the truth of the matter about so many things.
Fanny, A Mansfield Park story was carefully crafted to give due homage to the original. The description, dialogue, ongoing plot, and characters themselves were barely altered. The author showed a what-if that varied greatly from the original in the end, but only because she altered a few pivotal circumstances. People were as they ever were including Fanny Price.
Fanny is a heroine that I have always quietly admired. She is young, relatively friendless, penniless and yet she is willing to stand on the principles she has. At the same time, she is young and unworldly with a naive certainty in her own perceptions which is at the heart of this book. Her stolid certainty did her well when it came to rejecting a flirt and understanding the selfish schemes of those around her, but it stops short when she is faced with the fact that people are not always the same or maybe they are and she is not always accurate in what she sees. She can't abide Henry Crawford because he was a flirt, but she can't seem to get past that even in the face of evidence that he has changed. But, that is not Henry's only hill to climb because he also must wait as Fanny first must discover that Edmund is not as she painted him (godlike) and she must fall out of love before she can ever be susceptible to falling in love with someone else.
I adore Fanny, but I confess to the urge to thunk her for her thick-headedness. But, I also discovered that a redeemed Henry Crawford can be an amazing, shining hero who doesn't try to cover his tarnished past and it was also pretty sensational to see Fanny finally arrive as an older, wiser, and more understanding soul who is worthy of not just settling.
All in all, this was a lovely, slowly paced out story of growth, change, and ongoing story for the Mansfield Park characters that did justice to the original. Definitely worth the read.
Beginning at that point in the original Mansfield Park, Fanny begins with Fanny Price being taken back to Mansfield by her cousin Edmund to companion her aunt after Tom, the eldest is brought home gravely ill from poor living and a riding accident. Fanny, the quiet helper and observer watches her aunt and uncle fear the worst along with her cousin Edmund worn down by care while Tom's sisters are away at their pleasures in London and Mary Crawford writes with eager speculation what life at Mansfield will be like when Tom passes and Edmund slides into the role of heir. Secretly in love with Edmund, Fanny can only ache in her heart to see Edmund in love more than ever to Mary Crawford and despise everyone's speculation that she will eventually accept to audacious flirt, Henry Crawford's proposal.
Over the course of many months, Fanny's life is upheaved and to her great surprise, it is Henry Crawford who makes sure of her comfort and cares to notice her even while his own character seems to have altered completely even when he is tempted by Maria's seductive wiles and Julia's efforts to secure him. Fanny doesn't trust his seeming changes even as she is appreciative of his kind friendship. In the end, a series of events lead her to the truth of the matter about so many things.
Fanny, A Mansfield Park story was carefully crafted to give due homage to the original. The description, dialogue, ongoing plot, and characters themselves were barely altered. The author showed a what-if that varied greatly from the original in the end, but only because she altered a few pivotal circumstances. People were as they ever were including Fanny Price.
Fanny is a heroine that I have always quietly admired. She is young, relatively friendless, penniless and yet she is willing to stand on the principles she has. At the same time, she is young and unworldly with a naive certainty in her own perceptions which is at the heart of this book. Her stolid certainty did her well when it came to rejecting a flirt and understanding the selfish schemes of those around her, but it stops short when she is faced with the fact that people are not always the same or maybe they are and she is not always accurate in what she sees. She can't abide Henry Crawford because he was a flirt, but she can't seem to get past that even in the face of evidence that he has changed. But, that is not Henry's only hill to climb because he also must wait as Fanny first must discover that Edmund is not as she painted him (godlike) and she must fall out of love before she can ever be susceptible to falling in love with someone else.
I adore Fanny, but I confess to the urge to thunk her for her thick-headedness. But, I also discovered that a redeemed Henry Crawford can be an amazing, shining hero who doesn't try to cover his tarnished past and it was also pretty sensational to see Fanny finally arrive as an older, wiser, and more understanding soul who is worthy of not just settling.
All in all, this was a lovely, slowly paced out story of growth, change, and ongoing story for the Mansfield Park characters that did justice to the original. Definitely worth the read.
December 14, 2021
Modern readers of Mansfield Park almost universally wish that Fanny Price had chosen Henry Crawford, the foil to the hero, over Edmund Bertram, the love of her life who was in love with someone else. Though I don’t agree, I do have sympathy for the impulse: Fanny and Edmund grew up more or less as brother and sister, and being someone’s second love is a bit humiliating (a shy, delicate person such as Fanny may have felt crushed by it), especially because Jane Austen never really justified Edmund’s change of heart. Nevertheless, I would love to read an Austenesque story that does track his transformation from a silly cub dazzled by beauty and charm to a sober grownup who appreciates merit (clothed in beauty, for we should not forget that all the younger characters in MP are described as beautiful except Henry Crawford).
Fanny, a Mansfield Park Story is not one that takes up that challenge, but instead follows the more well-trodden path of turning her toward her first suitor, Henry. To do so the author found it necessary to give Henry a Darcyesque revolution of the spirit; if you accept that he was capable of such a transformation, what follows makes entire sense. I took it as this story’s premise and very much enjoyed what followed.
The author writes well and understands the manners and mores of the Regency era, so there were none of the boners that often characterize the Austenesque genre. I could relax and be drawn into the story without the sort of verbal or behavioral slips that distract me in other stories. I liked this version of Fanny very much, and aside from Henry found the characters largely true to the original book. This is a very detailed, finely observed novel with an excellent arc of development; the author, Amelia Marie Logan, has duly noted that Austen’s novels emphasize the role of respect and gratitude in the growth of love, and she leans on those two feelings in bringing Fanny to the point of esteem and affection for her formerly rejected suitor. I eagerly followed every twist and turn of their rapprochement, rooting for Fanny’s happiness (especially after ).
So this was a mostly satisfying read. The sticking point for me was that this is the tale of the progress of a romance, and Mansfield Park is so much more than that. It is thematically deep and rich, more so than any other Austen novel, and focusing purely on relationships is selling it short. I found myself longing for this accomplished author to tackle some of the more challenging stuff—for instance, These were elements of the original story that would have been of greater significance in Austen’s day, and the plot of Logan’s novel relied more on misunderstandings and other relationship issues. I respect Logan’s skills enough to wish she had challenged herself more.
Note that the story begins at a point not far from the end of Mansfield Park, so familiarity with that novel is essential.
Fanny, a Mansfield Park Story is not one that takes up that challenge, but instead follows the more well-trodden path of turning her toward her first suitor, Henry. To do so the author found it necessary to give Henry a Darcyesque revolution of the spirit; if you accept that he was capable of such a transformation, what follows makes entire sense. I took it as this story’s premise and very much enjoyed what followed.
The author writes well and understands the manners and mores of the Regency era, so there were none of the boners that often characterize the Austenesque genre. I could relax and be drawn into the story without the sort of verbal or behavioral slips that distract me in other stories. I liked this version of Fanny very much, and aside from Henry found the characters largely true to the original book. This is a very detailed, finely observed novel with an excellent arc of development; the author, Amelia Marie Logan, has duly noted that Austen’s novels emphasize the role of respect and gratitude in the growth of love, and she leans on those two feelings in bringing Fanny to the point of esteem and affection for her formerly rejected suitor. I eagerly followed every twist and turn of their rapprochement, rooting for Fanny’s happiness (especially after ).
So this was a mostly satisfying read. The sticking point for me was that this is the tale of the progress of a romance, and Mansfield Park is so much more than that. It is thematically deep and rich, more so than any other Austen novel, and focusing purely on relationships is selling it short. I found myself longing for this accomplished author to tackle some of the more challenging stuff—for instance, These were elements of the original story that would have been of greater significance in Austen’s day, and the plot of Logan’s novel relied more on misunderstandings and other relationship issues. I respect Logan’s skills enough to wish she had challenged herself more.
Note that the story begins at a point not far from the end of Mansfield Park, so familiarity with that novel is essential.
April 2, 2023
this is comfort food, okay. this is the content i've been craving ever since i first finished mansfield park all those years ago
yeah, some events are kinda dramatic, and yeah, it's a bit too long and repetitive at times, and the miscommunication trope is horribly done, but the characters are absolutely nailed down perfectly & it does deliver what it promises to deliver!
also it makes mr. crawford extremely romantic & thoughtful towards fanny, chivalrous even, and i think that's sexy
yeah, some events are kinda dramatic, and yeah, it's a bit too long and repetitive at times, and the miscommunication trope is horribly done, but the characters are absolutely nailed down perfectly & it does deliver what it promises to deliver!
also it makes mr. crawford extremely romantic & thoughtful towards fanny, chivalrous even, and i think that's sexy
May 5, 2022
Sometimes you wish for a very specific book to exist and the universe just miraculously produces it.
I'm super picky about my Austen retellings/sequels/reimaginings, not so much because I'm wary of their supposed quality (let's be real, only Jane Austen can write "like" Jane Austen, and with the exception of madly brilliant people like Dorothy Dunnett, I don't think it's fair to expect anyone in the 21st century to write in an authentic historical style), but simply because the author's interpretation of Austen's characters so often doesn't always align with my own. I'm all the happier to have found this, a reimagination of Mansfield Park with Fanny as I know and love her, with Henry Crawford as I always wanted him to be, and with a glacially slow burn romance that really was the only option to pull off this kind of scenario. Such a joy to read, just a pure balm for the soul and a rare find in a world that doesn't seem to be able to produce one competent Mansfield Park adaptation simply because we can't seem to appreciate a quiet heroine.
I'm super picky about my Austen retellings/sequels/reimaginings, not so much because I'm wary of their supposed quality (let's be real, only Jane Austen can write "like" Jane Austen, and with the exception of madly brilliant people like Dorothy Dunnett, I don't think it's fair to expect anyone in the 21st century to write in an authentic historical style), but simply because the author's interpretation of Austen's characters so often doesn't always align with my own. I'm all the happier to have found this, a reimagination of Mansfield Park with Fanny as I know and love her, with Henry Crawford as I always wanted him to be, and with a glacially slow burn romance that really was the only option to pull off this kind of scenario. Such a joy to read, just a pure balm for the soul and a rare find in a world that doesn't seem to be able to produce one competent Mansfield Park adaptation simply because we can't seem to appreciate a quiet heroine.
January 5, 2025
Disclaimer: I know the author (to an extent), we chatted quite a bit when I read Mansfield Park for the first time and we are friends on Facebook BUT I genuinely enjoyed this book.
I read this book in a day... I had a craving, I picked it up while eating breakfast and I wasn't able to put it down until I finished it. That's what happened... I had the day free, because I needed to write an essay and instead I read the whole day! 🙈
This book is for a very specific audience - people who read Mansfield Park and enjoyed it, but were frustrated with the ending, or are at least open to reading a different conclusion. This book starts at a specific place of the novel (toward the ending) so familiarity with the original is absolutely necessary here, Logan won't guilde you by hand. Which I honestly think is perfect, because.... why would people who didn't read Mansfield Park already even wanted to read this?!
This retelling is very faithful to the book - if you were annoyed by Fanny in the original you might be annoyed by her here, most of the characters are even slightly more unlikeable then they are in the book, I would say (especially Miss Crawford who I adore in the original). But the author also has a lot of compassion for them (especially for Julia and Maria Bertram) and does treat them somewhat better than the original does.
I loved the romance which is very slow burn (the only way this can work, I believe), but I think my favourite bits were connected to a small details unrelated to the romance. Like the bit about Maria persuading Mr Rushworth to convert the old chapel into a theatre; giving Julia the passion of acting and
This book was also exceedingly funny and I did laugh out loud multiple times. And SO readable! Really it should be criminal, I had work to do!
So as you can say, I enjoyed this very much. I read my fair share of Fanny-Henry fanfiction and I can say that this is the best one so far. So I would recommend it to anyone who was disappointed by the ending of MP.
And to the people who don't trust Henry Crawford with Fanny... I mean, you are not wrong. I don't know why I love him so much, knowing what a cad he is... But he's such a well written character and I really dislike Edmund as a match for Fanny, so... there is that.
I read this book in a day... I had a craving, I picked it up while eating breakfast and I wasn't able to put it down until I finished it. That's what happened... I had the day free, because I needed to write an essay and instead I read the whole day! 🙈
This book is for a very specific audience - people who read Mansfield Park and enjoyed it, but were frustrated with the ending, or are at least open to reading a different conclusion. This book starts at a specific place of the novel (toward the ending) so familiarity with the original is absolutely necessary here, Logan won't guilde you by hand. Which I honestly think is perfect, because.... why would people who didn't read Mansfield Park already even wanted to read this?!
This retelling is very faithful to the book - if you were annoyed by Fanny in the original you might be annoyed by her here, most of the characters are even slightly more unlikeable then they are in the book, I would say (especially Miss Crawford who I adore in the original). But the author also has a lot of compassion for them (especially for Julia and Maria Bertram) and does treat them somewhat better than the original does.
I loved the romance which is very slow burn (the only way this can work, I believe), but I think my favourite bits were connected to a small details unrelated to the romance. Like the bit about Maria persuading Mr Rushworth to convert the old chapel into a theatre; giving Julia the passion of acting and
This book was also exceedingly funny and I did laugh out loud multiple times. And SO readable! Really it should be criminal, I had work to do!
So as you can say, I enjoyed this very much. I read my fair share of Fanny-Henry fanfiction and I can say that this is the best one so far. So I would recommend it to anyone who was disappointed by the ending of MP.
And to the people who don't trust Henry Crawford with Fanny... I mean, you are not wrong. I don't know why I love him so much, knowing what a cad he is... But he's such a well written character and I really dislike Edmund as a match for Fanny, so... there is that.
June 24, 2021
I'm always so happy to find a non-P&P Austenation that I worry about grading high just because I glad it's not another book about Lizzy & Mr. Darcy.
That said, this was just a terrific book.
I will never love Fanny (and I confess I often found her irritating in both this book and in Mansfield Park). She is just not my type of person. And make no mistake, Logan's Fanny IS Austen's Fanny. But Logan managed to make me like her by the end, and she did in an entirely believable way. Beautifully Austenian language, too, and no anachronisms. Logan is a JAFF writer to watch!
That said, this was just a terrific book.
I will never love Fanny (and I confess I often found her irritating in both this book and in Mansfield Park). She is just not my type of person. And make no mistake, Logan's Fanny IS Austen's Fanny. But Logan managed to make me like her by the end, and she did in an entirely believable way. Beautifully Austenian language, too, and no anachronisms. Logan is a JAFF writer to watch!
September 5, 2023
Yes, yes, yes! Now here is a beautiful, slow-burn spin on the ending of Mansfield Park that may just have you permanently ripping out Austen's original ending.
Not hurried in plot or pace, this book takes its time in carefully building to a believable and satisfying change in Fanny's opinion, respect, and feelings for Henry Crawford. And in turn, we see Fanny truly loved and her well-being and happiness given first priority.
I dare say I'll never be able to imagine a more lovely and perfect outcome for these two characters than the one found in these pages.
If you, like me, were intrigued by the bittersweet hints of what could have been in the original tale and felt that Fanny Price deserved a better end than she received (and are open to Edmund not having Fanny to effortlessly fallback on after his ill-fated infatuation for Mary Crawford is no more) THIS is the book for you.
Not hurried in plot or pace, this book takes its time in carefully building to a believable and satisfying change in Fanny's opinion, respect, and feelings for Henry Crawford. And in turn, we see Fanny truly loved and her well-being and happiness given first priority.
I dare say I'll never be able to imagine a more lovely and perfect outcome for these two characters than the one found in these pages.
If you, like me, were intrigued by the bittersweet hints of what could have been in the original tale and felt that Fanny Price deserved a better end than she received (and are open to Edmund not having Fanny to effortlessly fallback on after his ill-fated infatuation for Mary Crawford is no more) THIS is the book for you.
October 29, 2021
Would it be unforgivable blasphemy to say I like this ending better than Jane Austen's? I apologize. But really, it's a very well-written alternate ending to Mansfield Park where Edmund gets exactly what he deserves!
April 24, 2024
I'm so in love with this couple, you can't honestly expect me to give it less than five stars, considering the effort the author made in this story which is quite notable.
August 4, 2022
“And it was my own heart, which I had till then thought untouchable, that was awakened.”
This book was absolutely amazing!! This is actually my first review on Goodreads but I felt I needed to write something because this book doesn’t get enough of the love it deserves. After reading Mansfield Park, I couldn’t help but feel that I actually shipped a reformed Henry Crawford with Fanny, instead of bland, boring Edmund who sought out every opportunity to put Fanny down when Henry recognized the oppressive situation she was in and how people treated her. Even though his motivations may have been selfish when he did kind things for Fanny sometimes, I felt like he truly did love her. Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story, takes that possibility of his love and the way he seemed to be on a path of change for her and transforms it into something utterly remarkable. I could already tell by the Preface that the author took great care to stay true to Austen’s original story and writing style, and this showed very early into reading it. The book basically replaces the last three chapters of the original novel with this 234 page delight. The build-up of the romance between Henry and Fanny is slow, as it should be, since Fanny is still getting over her feelings for Edmund and is also very untrustworthy of Henry’s motives. But he is truly a reformed man in this book, and takes the slow and steady approach, which, in the end, shows Fanny just how much he wants to prove that he is a better man because of his love for her. I adored the progression of Fanny’s own feelings for Henry, too. Some of my favorite scenes between them were when Henry comforted Fanny in the church and poured out his heart to her, when they sought safety from the storm at the Parsonage together and he read Shakespeare’s most romantic sonnet to her, when they walked down the avenue he wanted to show her so badly at Everingham, when he found her in the East room and proposed to her once again after she seemed to have given up all hope of his doing so, and when they walked in the rose garden at the end. And there were little acorns from other Austen novels/movie versions implanted into this retelling, like a mention of “shelves in the closet,” and the fact that Julia was only saved from a bad elopement with Mr. Yates and Sir Henry by Henry Crawford’s intervention, much like Darcy saved Lydia from Wickham in Pride and Prejudice. There was also a letter by Henry in Chapter 22 that produced a reaction from Fanny not unlike Anne’s reaction to Wentworth’s letter. This letter literally brought tears to my eyes because I am a sucker for any romantic letter, hence why Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel. I finished this book in two days because I could not put it down, and every scene between Henry and Fanny was so sweet and beautiful that it made my shipping heart so incredibly happy. This book didn’t live up to my expectations: it exceeded them. I highly recommend it if you were also a fanciful believer of these two becoming endgame in the original novel, because it perfectly created the ending I had only hoped for in my dreams.
This book was absolutely amazing!! This is actually my first review on Goodreads but I felt I needed to write something because this book doesn’t get enough of the love it deserves. After reading Mansfield Park, I couldn’t help but feel that I actually shipped a reformed Henry Crawford with Fanny, instead of bland, boring Edmund who sought out every opportunity to put Fanny down when Henry recognized the oppressive situation she was in and how people treated her. Even though his motivations may have been selfish when he did kind things for Fanny sometimes, I felt like he truly did love her. Fanny, A Mansfield Park Story, takes that possibility of his love and the way he seemed to be on a path of change for her and transforms it into something utterly remarkable. I could already tell by the Preface that the author took great care to stay true to Austen’s original story and writing style, and this showed very early into reading it. The book basically replaces the last three chapters of the original novel with this 234 page delight. The build-up of the romance between Henry and Fanny is slow, as it should be, since Fanny is still getting over her feelings for Edmund and is also very untrustworthy of Henry’s motives. But he is truly a reformed man in this book, and takes the slow and steady approach, which, in the end, shows Fanny just how much he wants to prove that he is a better man because of his love for her. I adored the progression of Fanny’s own feelings for Henry, too. Some of my favorite scenes between them were when Henry comforted Fanny in the church and poured out his heart to her, when they sought safety from the storm at the Parsonage together and he read Shakespeare’s most romantic sonnet to her, when they walked down the avenue he wanted to show her so badly at Everingham, when he found her in the East room and proposed to her once again after she seemed to have given up all hope of his doing so, and when they walked in the rose garden at the end. And there were little acorns from other Austen novels/movie versions implanted into this retelling, like a mention of “shelves in the closet,” and the fact that Julia was only saved from a bad elopement with Mr. Yates and Sir Henry by Henry Crawford’s intervention, much like Darcy saved Lydia from Wickham in Pride and Prejudice. There was also a letter by Henry in Chapter 22 that produced a reaction from Fanny not unlike Anne’s reaction to Wentworth’s letter. This letter literally brought tears to my eyes because I am a sucker for any romantic letter, hence why Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel. I finished this book in two days because I could not put it down, and every scene between Henry and Fanny was so sweet and beautiful that it made my shipping heart so incredibly happy. This book didn’t live up to my expectations: it exceeded them. I highly recommend it if you were also a fanciful believer of these two becoming endgame in the original novel, because it perfectly created the ending I had only hoped for in my dreams.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2022
This review contains spoilers
great story with a very slow start.
This Henry Crawford was utterly perfect, a gentleman, kind, he always put Fanny first. He managed to change all his shortcomings while not losing the good things.
I'm always ambivalent about Fanny's character. It's hard to love her, although she has a core of truth and honesty her naivety and expectation that everyone will be morally perfect is unbearable. I enjoyed reading her story but still found myself wanting to throttle her. I understand how growing in a toxic environment always being reminded that she's a dependent influenced her character and her relationships with the world, but how much can one doubt someone’s credibility?! It started to get a annoying towards the end.
I was hoping the conflicts would change but they repeated themselves.
I really liked the characterization of the other characters, I do not tolerate Edmund and Mary is a worthy punishment.
great story with a very slow start.
This Henry Crawford was utterly perfect, a gentleman, kind, he always put Fanny first. He managed to change all his shortcomings while not losing the good things.
I'm always ambivalent about Fanny's character. It's hard to love her, although she has a core of truth and honesty her naivety and expectation that everyone will be morally perfect is unbearable. I enjoyed reading her story but still found myself wanting to throttle her. I understand how growing in a toxic environment always being reminded that she's a dependent influenced her character and her relationships with the world, but how much can one doubt someone’s credibility?! It started to get a annoying towards the end.
I was hoping the conflicts would change but they repeated themselves.
I really liked the characterization of the other characters, I do not tolerate Edmund and Mary is a worthy punishment.
May 13, 2022
It has always been at the back of my mind as I finish Mansfield Park, how would it go down had Henry Crawford been given a redemption arc and got together with Fanny in the end. Amelia Marie Logan have quite literally brought out the best solution to this question that I've ever read.
I'm not an eloquent person and all I can really say is that this book was superbly written. How she has thought out every step of the way their characteristics, their personalities, their motivations is precisely how Austen has exacted in her book, and Logan just wove them expertly around key plot points to bring about a rational alternate ending in this "what if.." novel.
Please forgive the awkward review, basically I love this and it merits to be part of my reread list whenever I reread Mansfield Park again.
I'm not an eloquent person and all I can really say is that this book was superbly written. How she has thought out every step of the way their characteristics, their personalities, their motivations is precisely how Austen has exacted in her book, and Logan just wove them expertly around key plot points to bring about a rational alternate ending in this "what if.." novel.
Please forgive the awkward review, basically I love this and it merits to be part of my reread list whenever I reread Mansfield Park again.
September 15, 2024
One of the most authentically written variations I have read
This book is a clear cut above the overwhelming majority of the books in this genre, with a writing style and language which honours Jane Austen.
The author allows one key change to create ripples through the lives of the characters in Mansfield Park and we see the character of Fanny Price grew into a woman of greater depth as a result of disappointments and disillusionment.
I heartily recommend this book. The author clearly acknowledges at the beginning that the reader needs to be familiar with Austen's Mansfield Park.
This book is a clear cut above the overwhelming majority of the books in this genre, with a writing style and language which honours Jane Austen.
The author allows one key change to create ripples through the lives of the characters in Mansfield Park and we see the character of Fanny Price grew into a woman of greater depth as a result of disappointments and disillusionment.
I heartily recommend this book. The author clearly acknowledges at the beginning that the reader needs to be familiar with Austen's Mansfield Park.
June 5, 2021
Amazing book! Probably one of the best alternative MP endings ever. Amazing character growth in both Henry and most surprising Fanny. The author dissected Fanny’s feelings and al the negativity that came with them and then made her go through some character growth. Henry goes through the same thing off screen and we can see the consequences of it from the first pages of the book and then he later describes the process to Fanny. I love the idea of Henry and Fanny ending up together and this book satisfies all my what if’s.
February 4, 2021
Fans of Jane Austen will read this novel with universal satisfaction. Amelia Marie Logan sustains the integrity of the original characters of Mansfield Park while testing an alternative plot that stands on its own. A twist of fate near the climax at Austen's original chapter 45 allows Logan to weave a new page-turner of 34 chapters. Logan's story rehabilitates one villain and provides a stage of opportunity for the improvement of the other antagonists and troublesome supporting cast. The new plot leads Fanny Price through conflict and personal growth which must connect with readers today as it resonates with a message of . The author's language channels Austen without impeding the modern reader's understanding. Is it a necessary prerequisite to read Jane Austen's Mansfield Park? Those who have read it will find themselves returning to the original to re-read with new insight. This is a bonus gift.
April 13, 2021
I'm a serious Jane Austen fan and I loved this book. It's based on Jane Austen's own hints about an alternate ending for Mansfield Park. Austen tells us that if Henry had done what he should, and gone to his estate rather than staying to flirt with Maria, things could have turned out very differently.
So this author tells us the story of what might have happened. She does a great job of keeping the characters consistent and making their development believable.
Henry Crawford's transformation is much like Darcy's, and she even uses some of the same language to describe it. (There are many phrases and sentences from Austen's other novels, which I love.) Fanny's changed heart comes slowly, as it no doubt would, but reasonably.
I'd like to have seen a little more deeply into Edmund and Mary's relationship, but what we got was plausible. Maybe that could be a later book!
Many people wish that Henry and Fanny would have ended up together, and Mary and Edmund. I very much enjoyed seeing how that could have worked out, in a way consistent with Austen's plot and style.
This book kept me reading and wondering and enjoying. I highly recommend it!
So this author tells us the story of what might have happened. She does a great job of keeping the characters consistent and making their development believable.
Henry Crawford's transformation is much like Darcy's, and she even uses some of the same language to describe it. (There are many phrases and sentences from Austen's other novels, which I love.) Fanny's changed heart comes slowly, as it no doubt would, but reasonably.
I'd like to have seen a little more deeply into Edmund and Mary's relationship, but what we got was plausible. Maybe that could be a later book!
Many people wish that Henry and Fanny would have ended up together, and Mary and Edmund. I very much enjoyed seeing how that could have worked out, in a way consistent with Austen's plot and style.
This book kept me reading and wondering and enjoying. I highly recommend it!
March 28, 2025
This was everything I could have hoped for and more. I love Jane Austen books, but the ending of Mansfield Park has always left me disappointed. Logan starts toward the end of the book but takes it in a new direction, and the result is amazing. She did an excellent job at maintaining Austen's style and initial characterizations while giving some key players growth. I had to reread a few parts toward the end because they were just so good. A must read for anyone whom wants more for Fanny Price.
Ms.Logan--please write more!
Ms.Logan--please write more!
March 21, 2021
Well-paced and in character. This is the first Mansfield Park alternate-ending story that I've read that
July 19, 2022
Perfect Characterization
The characters in this story resemble so closely those in the original, and the language and style similar as well. The entire story was very well done, and I adored the humor and the romance. This has now become one of my favorite Austen variations and I am already looking forward to reading it again
The characters in this story resemble so closely those in the original, and the language and style similar as well. The entire story was very well done, and I adored the humor and the romance. This has now become one of my favorite Austen variations and I am already looking forward to reading it again
September 12, 2024
Plausible and lovely alternate take on the ending of Mansfield Park. Highly recommended to anyone who wondered how it could have gone, had Henry been steadfast and not eloped with Maria.
I loved this book. And I find, whatever one's opinion might be on the canonical Edmund/Fanny pairing, or the fan-favourite Henry/Fanny, (personally I don't like either pairing) this book is still an interesting read, and one of the best Mansfield Park variations in general.
And the most important reason for this is, in my opinion, the fact that the writing style is spot-on, very much Jane Austen's style. And very much a lacking the immaturity one often sees in historical romance novels in general. No anachronisms or overly modern language (or if there was, it didn't stand out enough for me to notice).
I consider this story a comfort reading, due to the low levels of angst, and the mature approach to romance: all the typical tropes of romance novels actively subverted, and much needed frank conversations held.
The most important part of this story is that it is a slow burn, full of character growth and healthy relationship building.
It takes over 2 years for the Henry/Fanny HEA to happen.
In fact, by the end of it, Henry Crawford might as well be the more jovial younger sibling of Fitzwilliam Darcy, so great is the difference to canon Henry Crawford.
Tl;dr: If you love Jane Austen's work in general and Mansfield Park in particular, this story is right up your alley and should be in your collection, regardless of any preference in regards to pairings.
I loved this book. And I find, whatever one's opinion might be on the canonical Edmund/Fanny pairing, or the fan-favourite Henry/Fanny, (personally I don't like either pairing) this book is still an interesting read, and one of the best Mansfield Park variations in general.
And the most important reason for this is, in my opinion, the fact that the writing style is spot-on, very much Jane Austen's style. And very much a lacking the immaturity one often sees in historical romance novels in general. No anachronisms or overly modern language (or if there was, it didn't stand out enough for me to notice).
I consider this story a comfort reading, due to the low levels of angst, and the mature approach to romance: all the typical tropes of romance novels actively subverted, and much needed frank conversations held.
The most important part of this story is that it is a slow burn, full of character growth and healthy relationship building.
It takes over 2 years for the Henry/Fanny HEA to happen.
In fact, by the end of it, Henry Crawford might as well be the more jovial younger sibling of Fitzwilliam Darcy, so great is the difference to canon Henry Crawford.
Tl;dr: If you love Jane Austen's work in general and Mansfield Park in particular, this story is right up your alley and should be in your collection, regardless of any preference in regards to pairings.
April 30, 2022
Really loved this alternate ending to “Mansfield Park,” which addresses Jane Austen’s own concession that Fanny Price and Henry Crawford likely would have ended up together if Edmund Bertram had married Mary Crawford and if Henry had continued on his course of self-improvement. Of Austen’s six novels, “Mansfield Park” is the only one with an ending that I strongly disagree with, so I really enjoyed this nuanced, layered look at how Fanny and Henry’s love story might have unfolded had they been allowed to progress in that direction. (And all the nods to “Pride and Prejudice” were fun, too.)
My only complaint is how often Fanny assumed the worst about Henry, even after he proved himself to her over and over, and even when other explanations for his behavior were so obvious. Luckily that didn’t weigh the story down too much, though, and I thought this book overall struck a great balance of longing, emotional growth, and happy endings among the principal characters. It’s always a pleasure to find a genuinely good Jane Austen fanfic.
My only complaint is how often Fanny assumed the worst about Henry, even after he proved himself to her over and over, and even when other explanations for his behavior were so obvious. Luckily that didn’t weigh the story down too much, though, and I thought this book overall struck a great balance of longing, emotional growth, and happy endings among the principal characters. It’s always a pleasure to find a genuinely good Jane Austen fanfic.
January 1, 2023
Very enjoyable reimagining of Mansfield Park, showing quite nicely how Henry Crawford could have changed enough to win Fanny if he had managed to practice just a little bit of self-denial.
The book is well written, in Austen-style language and the plot follows quite a logical path - obviously, if Henry changes his behaviour then the outcomes are different for others. I have given it 4 stars instead of 5 because there is one major plot change which I was not sure was completely necessary
The book is well written, in Austen-style language and the plot follows quite a logical path - obviously, if Henry changes his behaviour then the outcomes are different for others. I have given it 4 stars instead of 5 because there is one major plot change which I was not sure was completely necessary
September 29, 2021
I have to say I greatly enjoy Mansfield Park AU's especially if Fanny and Henry are the pairing. (I never really liked Edward & Fanny) So when I run across a book that explores this relationship I am always so excited. This story did not disappoint. I loved how the author slow burned Fanny and Henry's relationship in such a way that it kept them both in character while moving them towards each other. Fanny is still Fanny, anxious, socially awkward, and low-key fussy but we get to see her view of Henry evolve as Henry works on changing certain less then stellar qualities. Overall I really enjoyed this novel.
December 13, 2022
This was so well-done. The writing was true to Austen; such a relief to have it match JA's style so closely.
It was satisfying to read a version with Fanny ending up with a repentant Henry Crawford and not to be second choice for wet-towel Edmund. Only small critique was that it was a bit repetitious, with too many instances of Fanny not trusting Henry. He really transformed into a saint from the original Mansfield Park story -- this Henry Crawford had a tremendous amount of patience and kindness.
It was satisfying to read a version with Fanny ending up with a repentant Henry Crawford and not to be second choice for wet-towel Edmund. Only small critique was that it was a bit repetitious, with too many instances of Fanny not trusting Henry. He really transformed into a saint from the original Mansfield Park story -- this Henry Crawford had a tremendous amount of patience and kindness.
May 14, 2025
Probably my favorite of the Mansfield Park variations. A slow (and I do mean slow!) burn, but I think that’s necessary for the particular relationship it explores. It does rely on the miscommunication trope too much though, and that’s not a trope I’m fond of even when used sparingly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2021
Best Mansfield Park variation
This is one of the most beautifully done Jane Austen adaptations I have read. The style of writing is the closest to Austen's and the characters are drawn so authentically it almost feels as though this was her own alternate ending. I really love the character growth and very satisfying ending. I hope for more from this author.
This is one of the most beautifully done Jane Austen adaptations I have read. The style of writing is the closest to Austen's and the characters are drawn so authentically it almost feels as though this was her own alternate ending. I really love the character growth and very satisfying ending. I hope for more from this author.
November 24, 2021
A ‘Mansfield Park’ story of a different Henry
I felt all of the Mansfield Park characters in this version except Henry, appeared to be consistent with Jane Austen’s story. As for Henry? No, I don’t think he would have changed that much. It did make for a very enjoyable slow romance story with a more satisfying ending.
I felt all of the Mansfield Park characters in this version except Henry, appeared to be consistent with Jane Austen’s story. As for Henry? No, I don’t think he would have changed that much. It did make for a very enjoyable slow romance story with a more satisfying ending.
August 7, 2022
The best alternate ending I’ve read
She does a great job of writing in the style of Austen. This is something other alternative endings I’ve read fail to do. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! And was very satisfied with the ending!
She does a great job of writing in the style of Austen. This is something other alternative endings I’ve read fail to do. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! And was very satisfied with the ending!
June 13, 2023
Brilliant sequel but not as realistic as Jane Austen's.
The author expertly weaves a foundation of truth and deep knowledge of each other in the
protagonists before feelings are formed and hopes created.
The author expertly weaves a foundation of truth and deep knowledge of each other in the
protagonists before feelings are formed and hopes created.
July 17, 2021
If Henry and Fanny answers the question "what if Henry and Mary were decent people," this answers "What if Mary was an intolerable bitch."
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