Oh dear, not half-way through and I've already fallen behind. I do assure you, however, that I have two very good reasons:
1. Day 7's questions was quite difficult
2. (and the more weighty of the two) I had my studio recital Friday evening - and the prep and recovery of such a grand fiesta took a bit of time (pictures, details, etc coming later).
I will have to do a couple questions a day until I get caught up, because I would like to stay with each day of the month, so bear with me as I do multiple posts...
Day 7: What is the most underrated book?
Honestly, I had no idea. Besides the Bible, which is certainly underrated - but since I could use it as the answer to almost every question in this challenge, I shall abstain from citing it here.
I think most books I read are underrated, and that is part of my problem. I mean, truly, there are very few people who appreciate Dickens, or Wright, or Stratton-Porter, or Chesterton, or Lewis or {infinite listing here}... enough. However, in my specific circle of friends, we revel in these unappreciated authors, so I am left wondering what the most underrated book in our modern society is, which leaves pretty much anything worth reading up for grabs. After days of debating, though, I've decided to choose
Mansfield Park is definitely an underrated book - even (specifically?) by Jane Austen fans. Perhaps it's because little Fanny Price - sweet, quiet, observant, principled, sensitive Fanny Price - is not your typical Jane Austen heroine. Yet, she is by far the most Godly heroine. She perceives right and wrong with great keenness, but, in humility, remains slow and hesitant to state her impressions, lest she be wrong or give another a bad name. While admirable, this character quality is also her single flaw: in her unwillingness to out-rightly condemn those doing wrong - especially her beloved cousin Edmund! - and thus set herself up as being right against all others, she is unwillingly coaxed to participate in something she knew was wrong. She learns her lesson, though, and the next time she is pressured to bend in a way that feels crooked, she refuses, amidst all pressures, and guilt trips, and well-meaning advices given her. In spite of her quiet, unassuming demeanor, those around her gradually begin to see the true beauty of her heart - made all the more alluring by it's silent steadfastness. Even the villain recognizes her worth and values it highly - almost becoming honorable himself under her influence.
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"'Have you any reason, child, to think ill of Mr. Crawford's temper?'
'No sir.'
She longed to add , 'But of his principles I have'; but her heart sank under the appalling prospect of discussion, explanation, and probably non-conviction. Her ill opinion of him was founded chiefly on observations, which, for her cousins' sake, she could scarcely dare to mention to their father."
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Do you like Mansfield Park? What do you think is an underrated book?
1 comment:
I think you must know this already, but Mansfield Park is far and away my favorite of Jane Austen's books (though, I do have yet to read Persuasion and Northanger Abby). ♥ it!
I think E.P. Roe is very underrated, though I'm happy for that, since it aids my acquisitions immensely. ;-)
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