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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Officially halfway through the Jane Austen books! This was the last one that I knew nothing about, but I found it thoroughly entertaining. This book felt unique with the way it included elements from gothic novels which were popular at the time and the younger female lead who was a fascinating blend of level-headed but also creative, imaginative, and who often imagined herself as a heroine in a story. The humor in this story often made me laugh out loud, and the commentary on literature in it was very fun. The cast of characters as a whole were entertaining. Austen is sometimes too good at writing characters who are supposed to be unlikable, and they become a bit annoying. In terms of other things that didn’t work for me, the second half was a bit slower, and definitely emphasized the female lead’s overly imaginative mind to her detriment, which made her a bit less likable. It also sometimes included so many gothic elements that it felt almost like a different type of story. But I will say, I thought the male lead was great, and the story felt Iike it was begging to be on screen as it was just so cinematic. I do want to watch a good adaptation of this one! I think so far, this one ranks in between the last two books I read, and I’m excited to see where it ends up at the end of the is year. 🫂👤☀️
Was my first Austen, read back in high school. This is one that got me hooked...
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I kept getting an “Evelina” wannabe vibe from this, and I think “Evelina” is the superior novel. I can see why Austen never published this in her lifetime.
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Re-read Nov 2021: I'm glad I gave this another chance. Overall, it was fine, if forgettable, with slow parts that did not seem to add much to the plot. As with Austen, not sure if I'm supposed to be happy with the ending when we get a line like this: ". . . though Henry was now sincerely attached to her . . . and loved her society . . . his affection originated in nothing better than gratitude, or . . . that a persuasion of her partiality for him had been the only cause of giving her a serious thought." Mixed feelings! Somewhat of a bitter taste left in my mouth. This is basically "Evelina" elevated with added social commentary, and I'm not mad. "Evelina" was more fun though, and I have very fond memories of my reading experience of it! It's safe to say "Pride and Prejudice" still is and probably always will be my favorite Jane Austen, but I'm almost nervous to re-read it for like a 12th time (?) (I've lost count), because I would be devastated if I don't perpetually love it like I always have.
***************************
Re-read Nov 2021: I'm glad I gave this another chance. Overall, it was fine, if forgettable, with slow parts that did not seem to add much to the plot. As with Austen, not sure if I'm supposed to be happy with the ending when we get a line like this: ". . . though Henry was now sincerely attached to her . . . and loved her society . . . his affection originated in nothing better than gratitude, or . . . that a persuasion of her partiality for him had been the only cause of giving her a serious thought." Mixed feelings! Somewhat of a bitter taste left in my mouth. This is basically "Evelina" elevated with added social commentary, and I'm not mad. "Evelina" was more fun though, and I have very fond memories of my reading experience of it! It's safe to say "Pride and Prejudice" still is and probably always will be my favorite Jane Austen, but I'm almost nervous to re-read it for like a 12th time (?) (I've lost count), because I would be devastated if I don't perpetually love it like I always have.
I just loved this book. The story, the characters, the places... I loved every single thing!
The most exciting thing to me was Catherine's view on her first adventure. That innocence and enthusiasm for knowing the world that we all experiment in an exciting journey, made me love her to bits. This quote reflects it perfectly: "She was come to be happy, and she felt happy already." I think everyone who reads Northanger Abbey can relate with lovely Catherine, at least I did.
Jane Austen refers to Catherine as "our heroine". The greatness she uses to present her protagonist contrasts with the fact that dear Catherine is not remarkably wise. This helps the book to feel more real because we can relate more with the protagonist.
Catherine's love story with Henry is just so cute and lovely, every time these two characters interacted was everything for me. The way Catherine falls for him the very first time she meets him, and how her feelings grow each time they see each other made me sigh several times. It is just adorable. I also loved everything about Henry Tilney. It is easy to understand why Catherine falls for him so badly.
This story would not have been as enjoyable without Isabella and John Thorpe. I disliked both a lot but they were of those characters who make the story flow and be as great as it is. Even when I got totally mad about John's attempts to gain Catherine's affection, I laughed more than once because of them.
Probably, what made me empathize more with Catherine is her love for novels. I could not help getting excited with all the references and mentions to gothic novels and I had to add them all to my list of pending books. Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho has been waiting in my digital TBR pile for some years now, maybe it is finally its time.
I could not agree more with Jane Austen's clear position about fiction books and their value. It surprises me that we still struggle with other people judging what the other one reads. W focus so much on criticizing that we end up forgetting something amazing: we all love reading. We need to let people enjoy whatever they like to read. Knowledge and art are always better when we share them with others.
In summary, Northanger Abbey is a novel that is going to make you laugh, get excited, and sometimes be mad. Jane Austen's critic and satire will leave you thinking more than once. I loved it.
The most exciting thing to me was Catherine's view on her first adventure. That innocence and enthusiasm for knowing the world that we all experiment in an exciting journey, made me love her to bits. This quote reflects it perfectly: "She was come to be happy, and she felt happy already." I think everyone who reads Northanger Abbey can relate with lovely Catherine, at least I did.
Jane Austen refers to Catherine as "our heroine". The greatness she uses to present her protagonist contrasts with the fact that dear Catherine is not remarkably wise. This helps the book to feel more real because we can relate more with the protagonist.
Catherine's love story with Henry is just so cute and lovely, every time these two characters interacted was everything for me. The way Catherine falls for him the very first time she meets him, and how her feelings grow each time they see each other made me sigh several times. It is just adorable. I also loved everything about Henry Tilney. It is easy to understand why Catherine falls for him so badly.
This story would not have been as enjoyable without Isabella and John Thorpe. I disliked both a lot but they were of those characters who make the story flow and be as great as it is. Even when I got totally mad about John's attempts to gain Catherine's affection, I laughed more than once because of them.
Probably, what made me empathize more with Catherine is her love for novels. I could not help getting excited with all the references and mentions to gothic novels and I had to add them all to my list of pending books. Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho has been waiting in my digital TBR pile for some years now, maybe it is finally its time.
I could not agree more with Jane Austen's clear position about fiction books and their value. It surprises me that we still struggle with other people judging what the other one reads. W focus so much on criticizing that we end up forgetting something amazing: we all love reading. We need to let people enjoy whatever they like to read. Knowledge and art are always better when we share them with others.
In summary, Northanger Abbey is a novel that is going to make you laugh, get excited, and sometimes be mad. Jane Austen's critic and satire will leave you thinking more than once. I loved it.
lighthearted
medium-paced