ISBN-13: 9780307386830
Publisher: Knopf Publishing Group
Published: September 2007
241pp
First Sentence: No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be an heroine.
This is the second book I read by Jane Austen. After reading and watching the movie adaption of Pride and Prejudice, the characters and the premise had imprinted on my mind; thus I am not sure if Northanger Abbey will live up to expectations as compared to Pride and Prejudice. However, I find such thoughts to be unncessary, for Elizabeth Bennet and Catherine Morland are heroines in each of her own way.
Since young, Catherine was fond of all boys' plays, and does not have much interest to music and art but that all changed when she reaches fifteen. However when she reached the age of seventeen, she has yet to catch a young amiable man fancy. But opportunity calls on her when she is asked to visit Bath with the Allen family, whom are friends of the Morland family. There she meets Henry Tilney and she falls in love with him, and at the same time she also befriended a young lady by the name of Isabella.
When General Tilney, Henry's father, invited Catherine to spend some time at Northanger Abbey, She is delighted for she has a passion for reading gothic novels and naturally, she is fascinated with the atmosphere of the old mansion. Imagine her thrills when she found locked cabinets and explored the dark passengers in the mansion; and adding to this mystery is the death surrounding the late Mrs Tilney as she let her imagination runs wild. As I read further, I came to realize that the things she discovered in the end is none of the supernatural sort.
Northanger Abbey starts off a little slow in the beginning, but the pace picks up towards the middle. I liked it that Austen created a gothic feeling in this novel; and the exchanges between Isabella and Catherine's brother, James, is also a joy to read. I was intrigued with some of the words being phrased though, particulary the word 'shew' as I had seen this being used several times throughout the novel. It then came to me that it is a variant of 'show' after reading the passages for a second time. Is it not amazing to find some words changed along with the time?
Other bloggers' reviews:
Becky's Book Reviews
Reading Room
Trish's Reading Nook
Posts
I love Northanger Abbey. One of my all-time favorites!
This will possibly be my second Austen too. I look forward to the gothic mood! And I do like finding old spelling and outmoded vocabulary in older novels :)
I hope to read this one sometime this year too. I find that it always takes me a little bit to get into the rhythm of Austen's writing, but once I do, I can't stop reading. Great review, Melody.
Ruth - I'm glad you love this book. I enjoyed reading it, although my favourite is still Pride and Prejudice. ;)
Nymeth - I'm hoping you'll enjoy this one. The old spelling and outmoded vocabulary is surely refreshing to me, LOL.
Wendy - Thank you. :) I feel the same thing about Austen's writing too.
Did you see the PBS adaptation of this book this past spring? It was one of the better ones. Maybe you could rent it.
I wonder if this would be a good book to add to my RIP challenge list this fall, with the gothic feel to it...
Stephanie - I didn't see the PBS adaption of the book. They're so hard to find sometimes!
I can't wait to hear what you'll think of this book!
I love this book - It was my first Austen book. That's interesting about the chaning of the words. I don't remember noticing that but then again it's been a good long while since I read this one :)
I also really like the cover of your book.
Iliana, I'm definitely hoping to read more Austen's books in the near future! I've all her books in my pile. :P