“Manning…. emulates Austen’s writing style so well that she often seamlessly incorporates exact passages from the original into her narrative….. Many try to emulate Austen; not all succeed. Here, Manning triumphs.” — blueink reviews Starred Review [see full review below} “Brava to Lona Manning for her thoughtful twists and skillful execution in this variation. This story was in no way … way predictable and it kept me guessing almost until the end!…. One aspect of this story that I enjoyed is Ms. Manning’s respectful renderings of Jane Austen’s characters. Her thoughtful and perceptive portrayals of these characters illustrate her keen understanding…. Through her prose and premise Lona Manning displays a comprehensive knowledge of the time period and an admirable devotion to Jane Austen and her world.” Meredith Esparza, Austenesque Reviews
Book Synopsis: Fanny Price, an intelligent but timid girl from a poor family, lives at Mansfield Park with her wealthy cousins. But the cruelty of her Aunt Norris, together with a broken heart, compel Fanny to run away and take a job as a governess. Far away from everything she ever knew and the man she secretly loves, will Fanny grow in strength and confidence? Will a new suitor help her to forget her past? Or will a reckless decision ruin her life and the lives of those she holds most dear?
This variation of Jane Austen’s novel includes all the familiar characters from Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, and some new acquaintances as well. There are some mature scenes and situations not suitable for all readers.
Blueink Starred Review: “More contemporary writers select the works of Jane Austen to adapt than any other author. In this latest Austen Variation, crime writer Lona Manning selects Mansfield Park as her subject.
“Like many others, Manning considers Austen’s Fanny to be too “insipid” a heroine to inspire reader interest.Thus, she alters the story beginning with Austen’s play scene in Chapter XV. (The book offers a brief synopsis of earlier scenes for those unfamiliar with the original.) Manning retains Austen’s characters, namely: Henry and Mary, the visiting, unscrupulous Crawford siblings; and Edmund and Tom Bertram and their sisters, who live at Mansfield Park with their mother and irascible aunt.
“When Manning’s Fanny finally decides to seek her independence by becoming a governess, she leaves Mansfield Park without disclosing her destination. This causes some to worry and others to berate her ingratitude. As Fanny slowly embraces her new life and becomes a fully fleshed and sympathetic character, Henry Crawford’s dissolute life intensifies, and his sister plots to attract Edmund’s attention while also disparaging Fanny’s character after intercepting fond letters between Edmund and Fanny.
“Manning incorporates into her narrative growing public opposition to the slave trade which maintains Mansfield Park and expands the role of the navy and Fanny’s seagoing brother.
“A Contrary Wind is an impressive feat. Manning not only emulates Austen’s writing style so well that she often seamlessly incorporates exact passages from the original into her narrative, she also retains the claustrophobic pettiness of the upper class while setting the novel securely in its political and social context. The author creates engrossing tension through the escalating misdeeds of the Crawfords, whose just punishments will meet with modern approval.
Many try to emulate Austen; not all succeed. Here, Manning triumphs.” — blueink reviews
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Having read and been delighted by a number of Austen variations on previous occasions, I was most interested in Manning’s adaptation of Mansfield Park. While not my favourite of Austen’s works, I was intrigued as to what might be done to the classic novel to provide genuinely viable alternate outcomes for the characters, and hopefully to make Fanny Price more interesting than I found her in the original classic.
Lona Manning’s recreation of Mansfield Park, its inhabitants and neighbours did not disappoint. I found myself drawn into Austen’s world where the Bertram family prosper and their cousin, Fanny, is stifled amongst them. From that point, Manning’s variation is interwoven seamlessly with the original until Austen’s story is found to be completely changed. More than once, I had to think back and remind myself of what had happened in the original text, until I gave up on doing that and simply allowed myself to be carried away by Manning’s narrative.
‘A Contrary Wind’ is well-written, keeping in step with the language and writing style used by Austen to tell her stories, while being mercifully less wordy about some of the characters’ more trifling thoughts and decisions than Mansfield Park itself.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and consider it to be one of the finest Austen variations I have had the pleasure to read.
The author of A Contrary Wind did an excellent job of portraying the world and times of Jane Austen. Her research was impeccable. (Or if it wasn’t, then she was certainly able to make it seem as if it was!) I love it when authors can weave actual history into their story without distracting you (or boring you!) from the story itself. Also, the writing style is very authentic to Austen’s. If you had handed me this book and told me, “This was one of Jane’s alternate endings for Mansfield Park”, I honestly think I would believe that a new manuscript had been discovered and published for all of us readers who are hungry for more of Jane Austen’s works. Great stuff!
“Ah even when you do wrong by your own admission, you do no wrong. Have you never succumbed and done what you ‘know’ to be wrong? No? I will tell you why. It is not because you are more virtuous than the rest of us – though I know you think you are. It is because nothing tempts you. You are too frightened of everything to attempt anything! (quote from the book)
What if a ‘contrary wind’ changed the course of events at ‘Mansfield Park’? What if Fanny Price finally had a enough of her cruel and domineering Aunt Norris and decided to sneak away in the early morning mist?
“Despair had given her the courage to do what once had been truly unfathomable.” (quote from the book)
Ms. Manning has taken Jane Austen’s timid and meek Fanny Price and set her on a course of self-discovery that will test her to her very soul. This is a Fanny I now admire for it is a gradual metamorphosis. Not one where she becomes something she is not. For she is still in essentials, Fanny. As for Edmund Bertram, he is blinded by his infatuation with Mary Crawford and his own arrogance. His journey is just as difficult and one that humbles him completely.
But let us not forget the protagonists, Henry and Mary Crawford. They are brilliant in their ‘arts and allurements’, their deceptions are subtle and their selfishness knows no bounds. I literally wanted to throttle them both for the havoc they wreaked. Do they get their comeuppance? You will have to read this amazing rendering to find out!
“She told herself that with her determination and ingenuity, she could shape him into the man he deserved to be.” (quote from the book)
This is a complex multi-layered story that takes all the characters from Mansfield Park and sets them on a course based on their own actions that is believable. There are new and delightful characters that you will meet and some you will come to love…Mrs. Butters and Mr. Gibson to name a few. There are references to other characters from Ms. Austen’s other works that are sprinkled throughout. Where Jane Austen only slightly references the slave trade, Ms. Manning has used this as a strong plot point. It is breathtaking in it’s scope, and I look forward to reading the sequel, “A Marriage of Attachment” next!
I won this book in a giveaway with no expectation of a review.
This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: A Contrary Wind
Author: Lona Manning
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 21
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 10/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 10/10
Of the 21 readers:
21 would read another book by this author.
21 thought the cover was good or excellent.
21 felt it was easy to follow.
21 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 8 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 13 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
21 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
21 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.
Readers’ Comments
‘The author cleverly keeps Austen’s characters in keeping with the original. A wonderfully written story with a perfect writing style for this genre and time. Enjoyed it.’ Female reader, aged 32
‘This author shows a love for Jane Austen’s works through her thoughtful portrayal of the plot, setting and characters of the original. The smart way she had altered the plot and, in doing so, developing the characters in a different way, was impressive.’ Female reader, aged 53
‘Wonderful novel wrapped in a wonderful cover.’ Male reader, aged 49
‘Filled with so many little details from the original story but, at the same time, offering fans of Austen a new take on the story to enjoy.’ Female reader, aged 62
‘The author smartly keeps the language style but cuts a lot of the chaff. A well-researched, thoughtfully written novel. Fans of Austen will love it.’ Female reader, abed 72
To Sum It Up:
‘An insightful, cleverly written novel in keeping with the original. A SILVER medal winner and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards
A meek, frail heroine decides enough is enough as events back at Mansfield Park take shocking turns due to the machinations of others. A stunning, colorful, and dramatic variation on Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park that was emotional, thoughtful, and oft-times evocative as it took the characters on a very different journey when Fanny Price asks what if she doesn’t have to stay and put up with being downtrodden and dependent and also what if the fates send a contrary wind to keep Sir Thomas at sea long enough not to prevent the outcome of the Mansfield theatricals. What indeed…
A Contrary Wind is a unique variation story because it tackles a book that, for one, gets few variations written about it and is also generally the least popular of Jane Austen’s novels. The themes of the book and the characters can chafe on modern readers. I for one have never been inclined to dislike the story and was plenty excited when I saw A Contrary Wind released (even though my late reading of the book may suggest differently).
I was only a few pages in when I knew that my early excitement was going to pale against my actual feelings while reading the book. I didn’t want to stop reading. The variations began right away since the book had a quick intro and then dove into the place in the original story after most of the characters are introduced and the spicy Lover’s Vows play has been in full swing at Mansfield. The author was attentive to writing style, historical background, and infusing authentic historical elements so, though the story took a different path, and some of the characters were exaggerated versions, it smacked of Austen and Regency era.
I appreciated the way the author grappled with the plantation and slavery issue right out in the open and also addressed the character flaws in all of them the same way. Some characters faced their crises and grew while others didn’t. The author didn’t paint a rosy, romantic story, but rather one of likely possibility dominated by cause and effect from choices yet there were surprises of the unexpected, too. There is a lot of movement as several characters get to narrate from their point of view and this helped the reader know their motives and personalities better.
Fanny is at the heart of it all and more of a catalyst than she ever dreamed she could be or that others could either. It was interesting to explore what would happen among the denizens of Mansfield and it’s close relations when the two most steadying influences were absent (Sir Thomas and Fanny) and the others could run unchecked.
Fanny starts off as a staunch and over-sensitive person who learns to know herself and how she was as flawed as the rest even if her excesses went in a less destructive vein. I loved seeing her experience something new and be influenced by new people to find balance and how strong she really can be.
While I thought the Crawfords were quite vile, I found the story bracing and colorful with them working their wiles on the others.
I was startled by what comes for Tom’s and even Julia’s characters in the end, but not displeased. William Price was a ray or shining light as a heroic and sunny-tempered sailor.
Like most variations, what is varied in the characters is as intriguing as what is done with the plot.
I’m glad I knew going in that the resolve was long and far off because it ended somewhat open-ended. I definitely wish to pursue these characters even the ones bent on greed and their own disastrous path. A less-dense and more dramatic version of the original that I think will find vast appeal for those who love flawed characters and some gothic in their historical romance or fiction plots.