I read this book for the first time on my own because I love Austen and then in a class in college. Mansfield Park is foremost a novel of manners. If one is looking for a book of political commentary of the day, this is not your read. In fact, the novel is for the most part, strikingly devoid of any political issues. The plot is only slightly complex, but it does have twists and turns that are worth the effort of Austen’s dry repetitive language (laced with euphemisms). From the beginning of the novel, most readers are aware that Edmund and Fanny will get together. It’s just how will it all happen. Fanny, herself, is a flat character and is really dominated by Edmund. She is probably the least appealing of Austen’s heroine. Feminists beware! The character that really sparkles is the devious Henry Crawford, and he is WELL worth the read.