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ravalyn 's review for:
Northanger Abbey
by Jane Austen
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found what looks like a hastily constructed book report of Northanger Abbey that I wrote back in 2005, when I was 18 years old. This is a shortened and updated version of that report, which contains spoilers:
Summary
The book is divided in two volumes. In the first volume, 17 year old protagonist Catherine discovers the world of fashion and gossip while visiting the town of Bath with her neighbours. She is really into reading gothic novels, visits balls and makes friends and male acquaintances. Catherine is naïve and she imagines herself a heroine from one of her novels having an adventure. The tone of the book is whimsical. In the second volume, the tone is more serious. Catherines takes her fantasies to the next level, but learns that they are childish. She also discovers that not everyone is as kind as they seem: her friend Isabelle only pretended to like her, but is in fact only interested in herself. She hurts Catherine's brother's feelings and tries to use Catherine's friendship for her own gains. Catherine matures as a woman and - after a dramatic turn of events - eventually manages to marry the man she in is love with, Henry.
Themes
The main theme of the book is coming of age. In the beginning, Catherine is a naïve girl of seventeen years old, but in the end she has learned a lot about society and the personality of people, for instance through the actions John and Isabella Thorpe and General Tilney. Her lived experiences pose as a sort of reality check. Parallel to this, she learns the distinction between fictional life and real life. Catherine first does not realize that a novel does not represent real life. She applies motives from the novel A Sicilian Romance to the situation at Northanger Abbey, and by doing so starts to believe that General Tilney is keeping his wife locked up, although everybody thinks she is dead. Later, when she investigates the room of Mrs. Tilney and is detected by Henry, she realizes that childish fantasies and romantic novels do not resemble reality.
I would now (2025) add that the story is also moralistic. It stresses the importance of virtue, with the character of Isabelle as cautionary tale. Isabella wants to marry the richest man. She first pursues Catherine's brother, James, then ditches him for General Tilney and eventually ends up with nobody. It is implied that General Tilney seduces and then discards her. General Tilney - being a rich man of stature - can do as he pleases, but Isabella's reputation is ruined, as are any chances of a good marriage. In contrast, Catherine's friend Eleanor serves as the example of how to be a virtuous woman.
Opinion
I enjoyed the 'gothic novel bashing'. The young women in Northanger Abbey are extremely excited about The Mysteries of Udolhpo by Ann Radcliffe, a famous novel at the time. Although the characters are very positive about the novel, the reader gets the distinct impression that it is a dumb book. This was very funny to read and I could really appreciate Austen's writing style.
I did struggle with volume 1, having trouble keeping track of all the characters, and the many superficial conversations between them. Catherine excepted, the characters lacked depth. However, I could appreciate the conversations for being typical for that time and those social circles. Volume 2 was darker, but easier to read.
Speaking from 2025 again, I remember being left with mixed feelings after finishing the book, although I could not put into words why. I now think this was the case because of the ending and the strong moral messaging. While Catherine ends up with Henry, their union is presented without much fireworks. It is good match for Catherine, but the reader is left wondering whether it will make her truly happy. Also, the way Isabella was taken advantage of while General Tilney gets away with everything - despite all her faults - was very unfair. I get that it was realistic at the time (and unfortunately it often still is, even today!), but the conclusion of "so be a good girl"...? I reckon it was a useful warning in Austen's time, but it was received with mixed feelings by 18 year old me. 18th/19th century Great Britain was a very constrained place for women, and I'm very relieved not to live back then.
Unless, of course, the lack of fireworks in the ending with Henry was the point, and in fact Austen's way to subtly criticise the status quo... I'm unsure about this, though.
EDIT: When discussing this review with my partner, he suggested that Catherine realizes that she is not like the heroines in her books, but in fact she is very much a middle of the road kinda girl. With this in mind, her choice of Henry as her husband makes sense. This also explains my feeling of unfulfillment when I finished the book: this is intentional, Austen wants you to have mixed feelings about this. I should probably read Northanger Abbey again, as I'm sure it will provide me with new insights. However, I don't know whether I like this particular Jane Austen novel enough for that.
Summary
The book is divided in two volumes. In the first volume, 17 year old protagonist Catherine discovers the world of fashion and gossip while visiting the town of Bath with her neighbours. She is really into reading gothic novels, visits balls and makes friends and male acquaintances. Catherine is naïve and she imagines herself a heroine from one of her novels having an adventure. The tone of the book is whimsical. In the second volume, the tone is more serious. Catherines takes her fantasies to the next level, but learns that they are childish. She also discovers that not everyone is as kind as they seem: her friend Isabelle only pretended to like her, but is in fact only interested in herself. She hurts Catherine's brother's feelings and tries to use Catherine's friendship for her own gains. Catherine matures as a woman and - after a dramatic turn of events - eventually manages to marry the man she in is love with, Henry.
Themes
The main theme of the book is coming of age. In the beginning, Catherine is a naïve girl of seventeen years old, but in the end she has learned a lot about society and the personality of people, for instance through the actions John and Isabella Thorpe and General Tilney. Her lived experiences pose as a sort of reality check. Parallel to this, she learns the distinction between fictional life and real life. Catherine first does not realize that a novel does not represent real life. She applies motives from the novel A Sicilian Romance to the situation at Northanger Abbey, and by doing so starts to believe that General Tilney is keeping his wife locked up, although everybody thinks she is dead. Later, when she investigates the room of Mrs. Tilney and is detected by Henry, she realizes that childish fantasies and romantic novels do not resemble reality.
I would now (2025) add that the story is also moralistic. It stresses the importance of virtue, with the character of Isabelle as cautionary tale. Isabella wants to marry the richest man. She first pursues Catherine's brother, James, then ditches him for General Tilney and eventually ends up with nobody. It is implied that General Tilney seduces and then discards her. General Tilney - being a rich man of stature - can do as he pleases, but Isabella's reputation is ruined, as are any chances of a good marriage. In contrast, Catherine's friend Eleanor serves as the example of how to be a virtuous woman.
Opinion
I enjoyed the 'gothic novel bashing'. The young women in Northanger Abbey are extremely excited about The Mysteries of Udolhpo by Ann Radcliffe, a famous novel at the time. Although the characters are very positive about the novel, the reader gets the distinct impression that it is a dumb book. This was very funny to read and I could really appreciate Austen's writing style.
I did struggle with volume 1, having trouble keeping track of all the characters, and the many superficial conversations between them. Catherine excepted, the characters lacked depth. However, I could appreciate the conversations for being typical for that time and those social circles. Volume 2 was darker, but easier to read.
Speaking from 2025 again, I remember being left with mixed feelings after finishing the book, although I could not put into words why. I now think this was the case because of the ending and the strong moral messaging. While Catherine ends up with Henry, their union is presented without much fireworks. It is good match for Catherine, but the reader is left wondering whether it will make her truly happy. Also, the way Isabella was taken advantage of while General Tilney gets away with everything - despite all her faults - was very unfair. I get that it was realistic at the time (and unfortunately it often still is, even today!), but the conclusion of "so be a good girl"...? I reckon it was a useful warning in Austen's time, but it was received with mixed feelings by 18 year old me. 18th/19th century Great Britain was a very constrained place for women, and I'm very relieved not to live back then.
Unless, of course, the lack of fireworks in the ending with Henry was the point, and in fact Austen's way to subtly criticise the status quo... I'm unsure about this, though.
EDIT: When discussing this review with my partner, he suggested that Catherine realizes that she is not like the heroines in her books, but in fact she is very much a middle of the road kinda girl. With this in mind, her choice of Henry as her husband makes sense. This also explains my feeling of unfulfillment when I finished the book: this is intentional, Austen wants you to have mixed feelings about this. I should probably read Northanger Abbey again, as I'm sure it will provide me with new insights. However, I don't know whether I like this particular Jane Austen novel enough for that.