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faithforgotten_land 's review for:
Northanger Abbey
by Jane Austen
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
"But when a young lady is to be a heroine, the perverseness of forty
surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must and will happen to
throw a hero in her way."
Northanger abbey, the novel you are!!! I've never gone into an Austen novel as blind as I have into this one and what a delight it was! It was witty and sharp and smart and most importantly, FUN!! Austen's most fitting work for a beach read in any case
At its core, Northanger abbey is a coming of age story for out delightful Catherine Morland. I connected to her on a deep level, because, in many situations, I found myself sighing and thinking, "yeah, girl, me too". (I am simultaneously a less charming Emma and a more jagged Catherine, which is a contradictory combination of Austen heroines, but I am in turn, a contradictory personality.) Her naivete and trust in people is endearing and her lack of ability in reading and decoding social situations is relatable. Catherine progressed naturally over the course of the novel and her character development is subtly written. It's extremely rewarding to be faced with a more mature Catherine, who stands her ground and learns to make her own judgements by the end of the novel!
“I danced with a very agreeable young man, introduced by Mr. King; had a great deal of conversation with him — seems a most extraordinary genius — hope I may know more of him. That, madam, is what I wish you to say.”
Until reading this book, I never understood the term of book boyfriends, nor the feeling one should invoke. However, the moment Henry Tilney was introduced, it was starting to become a bit clearer. Unfortunately, he is exactly my type. A witty, emotionally intelligent man, who is patient and doesn't look down on you, actively encourages you and shows genuine, undisguised interest??? Holy shit. The way no other Austen love interest has had me rooting so much for him. I was so scared he'd be one of the fake charmers like Willoughby or Wickham and I was so so relieved he wasn't! At one point he hadn't been present in the narrative for a few chapters and I CHEERED when he came back. There is something so personal about "Dearest Miss Morland" and I will not explain further. He was so endearing. Anyway, Henry Tilney, love of my life, What's new?
I have very few words to say about the other characters, so I will speedrun through them:
Mr & Mrs Allen : fun introductions and a good way of getting Catherine to Bath
Isabella Thorpe : well written and a great way to showcase both Catherine's growth as a person in her relationship to her and the outlook on marriage and wealth in the early 19th century.
John Thorpe : count your fucking days.
James Morland : pretty "eh", but delivered a banger line ("Beware how you give your heart")
Eleanor Tilney : I liked her, she reminded me of my beloved Elinor Dashwood
The dullest part of the book was, surprisingly, the gothic satire. I found it particularly ironic, since I love a good gothic novel, but it fell kind of flat. I think a lot of the humour and wit was very relevant at the time, but it just didn't land as well as it did in 1817, I'm afraid.
I'm conclusion, Jane Austen, I love you forever and ever.
"There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature."
surrounding families cannot prevent her. Something must and will happen to
throw a hero in her way."
Northanger abbey, the novel you are!!! I've never gone into an Austen novel as blind as I have into this one and what a delight it was! It was witty and sharp and smart and most importantly, FUN!! Austen's most fitting work for a beach read in any case
At its core, Northanger abbey is a coming of age story for out delightful Catherine Morland. I connected to her on a deep level, because, in many situations, I found myself sighing and thinking, "yeah, girl, me too". (I am simultaneously a less charming Emma and a more jagged Catherine, which is a contradictory combination of Austen heroines, but I am in turn, a contradictory personality.) Her naivete and trust in people is endearing and her lack of ability in reading and decoding social situations is relatable. Catherine progressed naturally over the course of the novel and her character development is subtly written. It's extremely rewarding to be faced with a more mature Catherine, who stands her ground and learns to make her own judgements by the end of the novel!
“I danced with a very agreeable young man, introduced by Mr. King; had a great deal of conversation with him — seems a most extraordinary genius — hope I may know more of him. That, madam, is what I wish you to say.”
Until reading this book, I never understood the term of book boyfriends, nor the feeling one should invoke. However, the moment Henry Tilney was introduced, it was starting to become a bit clearer. Unfortunately, he is exactly my type. A witty, emotionally intelligent man, who is patient and doesn't look down on you, actively encourages you and shows genuine, undisguised interest??? Holy shit. The way no other Austen love interest has had me rooting so much for him. I was so scared he'd be one of the fake charmers like Willoughby or Wickham and I was so so relieved he wasn't! At one point he hadn't been present in the narrative for a few chapters and I CHEERED when he came back. There is something so personal about "Dearest Miss Morland" and I will not explain further. He was so endearing. Anyway, Henry Tilney, love of my life, What's new?
I have very few words to say about the other characters, so I will speedrun through them:
Mr & Mrs Allen : fun introductions and a good way of getting Catherine to Bath
Isabella Thorpe : well written and a great way to showcase both Catherine's growth as a person in her relationship to her and the outlook on marriage and wealth in the early 19th century.
John Thorpe : count your fucking days.
James Morland : pretty "eh", but delivered a banger line ("Beware how you give your heart")
Eleanor Tilney : I liked her, she reminded me of my beloved Elinor Dashwood
The dullest part of the book was, surprisingly, the gothic satire. I found it particularly ironic, since I love a good gothic novel, but it fell kind of flat. I think a lot of the humour and wit was very relevant at the time, but it just didn't land as well as it did in 1817, I'm afraid.
I'm conclusion, Jane Austen, I love you forever and ever.
"There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature."