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Northanger Abbey
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No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be an heroine. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be an heroine. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I'm completely shocked that many people regard 'Northanger Abbey' as the worst of Austen's books as I believe it is beautifully written and very easy to read. The characters are wonderful especially Catherine and Henry, and General Tilney is someone you love to hate. Now after seeing the recent ITV adaptation, my love for the book has been re-newed and I really want to read it again. N.A is so different to all of Austen's other novels but that's why I love it so much and the ending although very predictable, is very sweet and is what the reader hopes for throughout. An excellent read.
43 of 45 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I approached this book somewhat warily, knowing that Northanger Abbey was to some degree a satirical take on the immense popularity of Gothic romances such as Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho, a book I dearly love. Happily, Austen's means of poking fun at Gothic horror literature are far from mean-spirited and, as a matter of fact, can be delightfully humorous indeed. Her heroine, Catherine Morland, is by no means the type of heroine to be found in the giant tomes of Radcliffe and her indulgent imitators, as Austen tells her reading audience directly from the very start. "Almost attractive" on a good day, this unintellectual tomboy has reached her fifteenth year without inspiring a young man's fancy, nor would she be able to delight him with musical skill or even draw his profile in her secret notebooks if she had. Having encountered no strangers who would prove to be a lord or prince in disguise, her heroic ambitions seem stymied at best until fate steps in and grants her a stay of several weeks in the delightful town of Bath. Making her transition from naïve girl to equally naïve young lady, Catherine almost immediately falls quite in love with young Henry Tilney, while at the same time she becomes intimate friends with an older young lady named Isabella, whose inconstancy as both friend and intended beloved of Catherine's own brother eventually brings her much pain. To her intense delight, however, Catherine is invited by General Tilney, Henry's father, to spend some few weeks in his home, Northanger Abbey. Her joy at spending such private time in the company of her beloved and new best friend Eleanor Tilney is immense, but equally exciting to her is the chance to spend time in a mysterious former abbey of the sort she has read so much about. Such Gothic romances as Udolpho have been the source of her recent heroic training, and she is wildly desirous and fully expectant of discovering hidden passages, dark secrets, frightening circumstances, and possibly even incalcitrant perfidy in the halls of her beloved's family home. Her overactive imagination runs wild in Northanger Abbey, bringing her a fair share of embarrassment, but the very sweet and tender sensibilities that fuel her fire for Gothic mystery make her all the more endearing to me. Catherine is remarkably innocent, and as such she is absolutely delightful in my eyes.
Much of the story does fit in with your typical Gothic novel, but the frightening and dismaying things Catherine eventually discovers are of a far from supernatural sort. Ever so gradually, a true monster slowly coalesces from the pages of this remarkable novel. I, like young Catherine, was somewhat overenthusiastic concerning the Gothic qualities of this adventure I feel I shared with her, and the truly despicable thoughts and actions of the book's villain did not immediately strike me as forcefully as they should have; the afterword by Elizabeth Hardwick included in my Signet Classic copy of the book, however, served to make me fully comprehend its import. Greed, selfishness, pride-these are the horrors of Northanger Abbey, and it does deeply hurt a reader of romantic sensitivity to stand idly by, unable to aid and assist a sweet young lady such as Catherine in her time of despair and emotional suffering.
Lovers of Gothic horror or literature in general will surely find nothing but delight in the pages of Northanger Abbey. Austen's critique of Gothic literature is quite subdued, and I actually find immense pleasure in the overindulgence the author sometimes employs in her attempts to satirize it. Written by Austen at a tender age (though not published until the year following her death), Northanger Abbey features incredibly human, complex characters full of wit and charm. The hidden motives of seemingly delightful friends is brought to light, teaching young Catherine as well as the reader a painful lesson in real life, yet romance stands at the ready to right the wrongs of self-interest, deception, and greed. I absolutely adore this novel and everything about it.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Northanger Abbey is not Jane Austen's best known or read work which is really a shame, because it is quite charming. I love the way, Austen's work are as relevant, entertaining, and thought-provoking now as when they were written in the beginning of the 19th century.
Northanger Abbey is the story of a would-be heroine, Catherine Morland, who accompanies the Allens to Bath. Here she is thrushed into a world, the likes of which she has only read about in novels. There are parties, drama, charming young men, and her new friends Isabella and Eleanor. And the intrigues: Catherine's brother is engaged to Isabella, and Isabella's brother fancies Catherine. Catherine on the other hand has affection for Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey. Catherine is invited to Northanger Abbey and oh, you should read the story instead of me just relating it.
Norhtanger Abbey is also about storytelling and the recent popularity of Gothic novels. It is about the imaginations of Catherine and pretty much every other character in the book. Everyone has their own imaginative approach to the world they live in and these worlds collide.
Something I find very enjoyable in Northanger Abbey, is Austen's active narration. Once in while, she pops in, speaking of herself in the first person and subtly whispers in the ear of the reading. It is marvellous.
Louise.
Northanger Abbey is the story of a would-be heroine, Catherine Morland, who accompanies the Allens to Bath. Here she is thrushed into a world, the likes of which she has only read about in novels. There are parties, drama, charming young men, and her new friends Isabella and Eleanor. And the intrigues: Catherine's brother is engaged to Isabella, and Isabella's brother fancies Catherine. Catherine on the other hand has affection for Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey. Catherine is invited to Northanger Abbey and oh, you should read the story instead of me just relating it.
Norhtanger Abbey is also about storytelling and the recent popularity of Gothic novels. It is about the imaginations of Catherine and pretty much every other character in the book. Everyone has their own imaginative approach to the world they live in and these worlds collide.
Something I find very enjoyable in Northanger Abbey, is Austen's active narration. Once in while, she pops in, speaking of herself in the first person and subtly whispers in the ear of the reading. It is marvellous.
Louise.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good but gets bogged down by its satire on gothic novels
Those who know that I'm a Jane Austen fan are probably very surprised to discover that in spite of reading certain of her books more than once, I have not, and still have not read... Read more
Published 24 days ago by R. A. Davison
northanger abbey
jane austin fans will not be disappointed, this is classic austin, Bath, Regency, human fallibility, romance, intrigue, fashion, morals, and the priesthood!!!!! Read more
Published 4 months ago by fi
My favourite Austen book
A wry take on gothic novels, I have always found this an intriguing and charming story that I come back to again and again. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Angel
Appearence
I gave this book to my sister as a Christmas present. I'm sure that, like all other Austen novels, it will be a good read. Read more
Published 5 months ago by lucy
One of my Favourites
This book is unlike your standard gothic romance novels. It's satirical, with elements of humour and truth, and if you haven't read much Austen then this is a good place to start. Read more
Published 5 months ago by kindler
Not quite what I expected
Having read both Pride and Prejudice and Emma previously, I admit I have been a little surprised by Northanger Abbey. Firstly, the so-called heroine is as thick as a short plank! Read more
Published 6 months ago by Stracs
Romantic tale
Wonderfully written by Jane Austen, and although not one of her most liked books, I found the complete opposite. Read more
Published 6 months ago by kirstyjo
the funniest Austen
Northanger Abbey is Jane Austen's 5th published novel, although it was actually written before her earlier novels. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Cloggie Downunder
Human nature does not change
Catherine Morland, 17 years old and steeped in the Gothic fiction fashionable at the end of the eighteenth century, is taken by childless neighbours to spend time in Bath. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Clive A. H. Still
So Funny!
'Northanger Abbey' is generally regarded as the earliest of Jane Austen's completed novels. She had finished and submitted it for publication in 1803, yet it wasn't published... Read more
Published 9 months ago by Rochester
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