It's easy to see why this was Jane Austen's favorite. With a wit matching the whole of Pride and Prejudice, the character of Fanny Price is one of my favorite heroines. Between the hilariously entertaining play that the characters try to perform and the unforgettable friendship of Edmund Bertram, this book is truly full of humor and drama.
I also read a follow-up discussion on Mansfield Park. It was in chapter one of "Imagining Characters" and it was great for any Austen fan.