Posted by Barbara on April 25, 1997 at 14:48:09:
Considering how much I love JA, and that she only finished six novels, and how I have read many more than that by other favourite (but more prolific) authors, it is maybe surprising that I never read MP before now.
The first reason is that as a member of Austen-L for nearly the past year, I have seen the "Fanny Wars" that periodically erupt. There are never "Lizzy wars" and although there may be some disagreement about whether Marianne or Emma or Anne Elliot should or should not have acted in a particular way, it never even comes close to the different (and strong!) opinions people seem to have about Fanny Price. I have been reluctant to read a book that causes such pronounced differences of opinion, but I'm glad I have a motiviation to do so now. I reserve judgement on poor Fanny unitl I finish the book.
Second, the fact that JA only finished 6 novels is perhaps WHY I haven't read MP (or NA). I think I just have this feeling that I will be so sad once I have read all 6 and I know there will be no more new JA novels, ever.
Finally, my copies of MP and NA are contained in a large book that has all the novels plus Lady Susan (which I also haven't read yet) I try to read MP or NA, and I keep getting tempted to go back and reread my favourites like P&P!
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