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mattiedancer's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Writing: 5⭐️/5
As a Jane Austen fan, it’s hard to find a flaw with her writing. The flow of her prose is well crafted and many lines are truly stunning. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Characters: 4.75⭐️/5
The characters were fun and refreshing. I enjoy that Austen’s protagonists always feel different, and Catherine was no different. I enjoyed her ignorance to the world around her that felt perfectly in line with someone of her age and class. Reading about her misunderstandings felt fun – even funny or horrifying – and I loved watching her opinion of everyone around her grow and change. Her toxic friend, Isabella, even felt alive on the page. I could understand how someone like that could infiltrate Catherine’s life. My only grievance is General Tilney, whose character seemed rushed towards change at the end for a snag in the plot. I didn’t hate the flow of this story, simply wish his reaction had been slightly more aligned with a “gentleman” as he was so heavily painted to be.
Plot: 4.25⭐️/5
The small, humorous, and innocent misunderstandings that directed the plot in the majority of the novel are directly contrasted with the seriousness of the final misunderstanding in a way that brought the story to life. I loved the lower stakes drama being outshone by the high stakes clash in the final moments of the story. I did, however, wish that more care had been given to the final moments of the romance. I missed having a big moment reminiscent of Pride & Prejudice or Emma. For this reason, I felt a bit let down by the ending.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of Jane Austen
- Fans of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- Those looking for a fun classic novel with slight hints of romance
- Those who love MC with an overactive imagination
Content Warnings?
- Misogyny, sexism, classism, death of a parent, death, illness, toxic relationships, toxic friendships,
Post-Reading Rating: 3.5⭐️/5
I felt like the romance was a bit of a let down, which bothered my when I turned the final page. I had fun, but I went into it expecting a bit more of a romantic pinnacle that never really came.
Final Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Murder
cleotheo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Confinement, Murder, Infidelity, Medical content, and Terminal illness
naomi_k's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Classism, and Confinement
kunma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
TW: There's a scene in which someone is surrounded and physically stopped by other people to detain them from doing something, which is uncomfortable to read, especially if you suffered bullying or abuse.
I didn't expect this to be this good! I came into this book with zero expectations, thinking it would be as to my dislike as Emma was, but the story is really entertaining, the protagonist very innocent, not pretentious and warm, as well as most of her acquaintances, which made the book very pleasing.
I didn't expect this to be this good! I came into this book with zero expectations, thinking it would be as to my dislike as Emma was, but the story is really entertaining, the protagonist very innocent, not pretentious and warm, as well as most of her acquaintances, which made the book very pleasing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
lovelymisanthrope's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I read this as part of my quest to read more classics.
"Northhanger Abbey" follows Catherine Morland, a young seventeen-year-old woman who is enthralled by all things gothic. While on a family vacation, she meets Henry Tilney. Henry invites Catherine to return with him to his family's estate. Catherine quickly becomes obsessed with uncovering the secret behind Henry's mother's sudden death.
This is my second novel I have read from Jane Austen, and I did enjoy this story more than "Emma". I loved reading from Catherine's perspective, and I got into her obsession with all things Gothic. I also enjoyed reading a female character who is a romantic at heart and not tainted by heartbreak.
The mystery throughout this story was compelling and kept the story moving forward, but it was not terribly dark and did not feel like too much of a heavy-handed mystery in the traditional sense. This story is humorous and light-hearted.
I am excited to continue to my quest of not only classics, but of reading all of Jane Austen's work.
"Northhanger Abbey" follows Catherine Morland, a young seventeen-year-old woman who is enthralled by all things gothic. While on a family vacation, she meets Henry Tilney. Henry invites Catherine to return with him to his family's estate. Catherine quickly becomes obsessed with uncovering the secret behind Henry's mother's sudden death.
This is my second novel I have read from Jane Austen, and I did enjoy this story more than "Emma". I loved reading from Catherine's perspective, and I got into her obsession with all things Gothic. I also enjoyed reading a female character who is a romantic at heart and not tainted by heartbreak.
The mystery throughout this story was compelling and kept the story moving forward, but it was not terribly dark and did not feel like too much of a heavy-handed mystery in the traditional sense. This story is humorous and light-hearted.
I am excited to continue to my quest of not only classics, but of reading all of Jane Austen's work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
insanebookperson's review
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Misogyny, Toxic friendship, and Death of parent
laurenjane's review
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, and Antisemitism
Minor: Murder
darkefyres's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent and Toxic friendship
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is my second Austen and I can’t wait to read more from her! It was quite slow and could be hard to focus sometimes. It could partly be due to my trying to read this while on vacation and it’s not much of a holiday vibes read 😅 I enjoyed the second half more than the first because it was a little more fast paced.
I liked the characters especially Catherine, a fellow bookworm! I definitely prefer Persuasion over this one but I’ll have to read the rest of Austen’s work before ranking them of course.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Moderate: Classism and Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism and Infidelity
lalu's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
It's the first time seventeen year-old Catherine spends the season in Bath, where she quickly forms friendships and meets the sophisticated and handsome Mr. Tilney...
Though there are some obstacles our heroine has to overcome, the story focuses more on the coming-of-age of the endearing and charmingly naive Catherine than on the drama. Along with Austen regularly breaking the fourth wall this provided a very enjoyable and pleasant read. It won't become a favourite, but it was nice in the best possible way. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed.
Though there are some obstacles our heroine has to overcome, the story focuses more on the coming-of-age of the endearing and charmingly naive Catherine than on the drama. Along with Austen regularly breaking the fourth wall this provided a very enjoyable and pleasant read. It won't become a favourite, but it was nice in the best possible way. My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Toxic friendship