Monday 20 February 2012

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

"Mrs. Allen was one of that numerous class of females, whose society can raise no other emotion than surprise at their being any men in the world who could like them well enough to marry them."

Catherine is 17 when she is taken by childless neighbours to spend time with them in Bath. She quickly makes friends with other people her own age, finds herself a love interest and begins to forge her way in this new society she finds herself in. As she is younger than other Austen heroines she is also more naïve, not very experienced at reading people and is sometimes rather silly.

The plot is a rather a simple one in terms of its themes and contains less minor characters than say Mansfield Park, instead it just gets on with the business of dealing with the usual ‘girl will eventually marry the right man after various conversations and misunderstandings’ overall plot arc.

Northanger Abbey is different to the other Austen novels I have read (although I have STILL yet to read P&P) it’s different for various reasons but mostly it’s because it is a lighter and less layered read. Northanger Abbey is known for its parody of other Gothic novels which were popular during Austin’s time, although anyone who is familiar with works such as Dracula or Jane Eyre and has an understanding of the usual gothic elements could probably appreciate these parts of the novel.

"I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible."

While it might lack depth it does have two very likeable characters in both Catherine and Henry Tilney, a couple of unlikeable characters and some very funny lines and observations. The first half of the novel is set in Bath before switching the action to Northanger Abbey, this change of scenery keeps the story fresh and drives the eventual coupling of Catherine and Henry. The humor and wit in Northanger Abbey is not as subtle as other Austen’s novels making the novel overall a quick, easy, sparkly read and is a great introduction to Jane Austen.
Verdict 4/5

Posted by Jess

22 comments:

  1. I love Northanger Abbey, just because the heroine is a girl who really really likes reading! Also, while Catherine may be more naive than other Austen heroines, I'd still say that she's more knowing and steers events more than Henry, which also makes me happy!

    Also, you really must get on P&P! It's so so so great!

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    1. oh I know I must must read it soon. I think Im scared Ill hate it or something!

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  2. I haven't read this one in YEARS, but I remember enjoying it. It seems a little...sillier than some of the others, but I still love it. :)

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    1. yeah its more fun and definately siller, but in a good way

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  3. I think it is lovely how we can still enjoy the novels of Jane Austen today, it makes me question how many modern 21C writers will retain their popularity so long.

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    1. Well only time will tell, mind you Austen wasnt hugely known in her lifetime so you can never tell

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  4. I love Northanger Abbey. Who knew Jane could be laugh-out-loud funny?!

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  5. This one is much more entertaining than some of her others, but I don't love it as much as most of her's. I should re-read it for fun soon.

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    1. I completely agree, it might not be as deep as the others but its a great fun read

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  6. I think this novel is best read as a straight satire of the Gothic romances that were so popular during Austen's time. As you said, it doesn't have the subtlety and polish of some of Austen's other books, but it is not without it's charms! I definitely found it's one of those books that improves upon re-reading.

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    1. I would love to know read the books mentioned throughout the novel and some of it was really funny and made fun of the genre with a stright Austen romance to boot!

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  7. I loved this book for all its humor and passages about reading. I hope you read P&P soon; it's one of my favorites!

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    1. I have promised myself to read it this year (I even have my copy)

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  8. This was a fun read and I enjoyed the satire. I believe it was her first book, but didn't get published until later. It definitely feels "younger" than her others.

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    1. yeah I think that it was published after her death but was written before all her others. I think I read somewhere that it was meant to be like a fun read that she read aloud as a comic novel

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  9. I have such a soft spot for NA, probably because of the 2007 adaptation with the adorable JJ Feild as Tilney...sigh, I quite adore him.

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    1. ah yes I watched that last week and I loved it! funny to see Carey Mulligan in it as shes done so well since

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  10. I find this book hysterical, especially the ending. If you haven't yet, I highly recommend you read Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho. I read it right before this so I could see exactly what Austen saw as she wrote this. :D

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    1. I saw The Mysteries of Udolpho in a bookshop the other day and bloody hell its a thick book. I do want to read it now though

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  11. I think Austen unleashed the full force of her somewhat venomous humor in this book, and there were some really funny bits about snobs who didn't read novels. LOL.

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    1. yeah I think one of the quotes was really close to the mark lol

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