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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Once again, I found myself in love with Jane Austen's writing, with the characters she created, with the period she described.
Catherine is the ultimate sweetheart, and Mr Tilney is one of the best things that have ever happened to me.
I'm in love with this novel, and Jane assured me once more that my love and adoration for her is completely justified.
Catherine is the ultimate sweetheart, and Mr Tilney is one of the best things that have ever happened to me.
I'm in love with this novel, and Jane assured me once more that my love and adoration for her is completely justified.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a fun read, I loved it (and I need a Henry in my life)
hopeful
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:
Complicated
I have read P&P a couple of times and watched film adaptations of several of Austen's novels. However, this title is one that I've never read and never watched as a film adaptation. I was feeling gloomy and moody, so I thought that I'd give this title a whirl. It was just what I was craving: dramatic but self-aware of the dangers of hightened emotions. Austen pokes fun of the Gothic novels that rose in popularity in the decade before and during her forays into novel writing. She creates a layered treatment of the dangers that lay in wait for the heroine Catherine. The protagonist hopes to find secrets and thrills among the cob-webbed corners of an old abbey. Instead, she becomes intangled in the sticky threads of British society by committing faux pas and misjudging others' characters. She is much better at reading Gothic novels than reading flesh-and-blood people, and she needs to become a "quick study" or end up osteracized. Austen manages to put in commentary about novel writing, about class structure, about political uprisings, about the politics of love and marriage -- all while keeping the plot points moving at a brisk pace. Funny, thrilling and thought provoking. Why did I wait so long to investigate this work by Austen? I thought it was part of her juvenalia. It was a bit rougher than some of her other works, but Austen's genius still shines through.
adventurous
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
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have never hated a book as much as I hated Northanger Abbey. I had heard that it was the one gothic novel Jane Austen had ever written, and I was deeply disappointed. As a Bronte lover, I found her scathing gothic satire offensive and bitchy. I thought her random asides and diatribes were completely unnecessary. This is the only book I have read by her, and it has put me off entirely.
funny
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (Canterbury Classics) for promotional purposes.
I was debating whether or not to give this 3.5 or 4 stars. I finally decided on 4 because the story was so clever!
This was my third Jane Austen novel. Previously, I had read Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility and enjoyed both of them.
My immediate impression of this book was that it was hilarious. Jane Austen’s books are always funny, but since this is part satire, the humor is on another level. Some may find this book absurd or silly, but that’s precisely the point (and brilliance of it). The main character, Catherine, was so naive so a lot of the humor was due to that.
As a fan of gothic novels, I loved the gothic satire parts. They were by far the funniest elements of the story.
The pacing of the story did feel a little off. The story starts off slow and it takes over half the book for Catherine to finally arrive at Northanger Abbey. Since the title is Northanger Abbey, I was expecting the majority of the story to take place there. Also, the ending felt rushed.
Lastly, the final line of the book is pure comedic genius. Austen writes, “…I leave it to be settled, by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience” (pg. 264).
Overall, this was yet another Jane Austen novel that I enjoyed. If you’re looking for a laugh out loud classic to read, definitely pick this one up!