Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Northanger Abbey

Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

34 reviews

mattiedancer's review against another edition

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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

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cleotheo's review against another edition

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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

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naomi_k's review

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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

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kunma's review against another edition

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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.

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readwithbells's review against another edition

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5.0

Man I loved this. I do feel like you need to read Mysteries of Udolpho to fully enjoy all the jokes Austen is setting up but it’s also so charming on its own! Catherine is a *mood* the whole book, Isabella is a bitch (spoiler lol), and all the gothic references are too much fun. I’m so glad this was my first introduction to Austen, I’m off to binge all her books and become a full Austen ✨girlie✨.

Also I love the very real patriarchal evil that doesn’t have to be a gothic villain like Montoni to be horrible.

Read for Romantic Period Gothic Revolution.

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tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

2.5

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remuslibrary's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective 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

4.75

Content Warnings

insanebookperson's review

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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

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laurenjane's review

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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

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impla77's review

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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

3.75

You can tell this is an early novel, but I think the characters, especially the unlikeable ones, carry this book. Plot points seem to be discarded, which is my main bugbear but still an entertaining read.

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