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A review by ammiebelle
Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid
2.0
I wasn't sure what to make of The Austen Project; I didn't see much of a point. I kept an open mind, welcoming in a fresh, fun take on a classic novel. I thought that I would start with Northanger Abbey as it's one of Jane Austen's novels that I am less familiar with.
The writing is fine and I think that Val McDermid does a fine job with it. My issue is that it is just too close to the original story in structure. I would have rather read a more modern take or an update that is inspired by the original. I think the fundamental problem that I have with it is that it is no longer the early 19th century. We interact differently and society has changed dramatically. Certain elements just don't work. For example, I had a really difficult time believing that Henry Tilney, a lawyer, would fall for a silly 17 year old Catherine Morland. If the central romance doesn't work in Austen, the novel doesn't work.
The writing is fine and I think that Val McDermid does a fine job with it. My issue is that it is just too close to the original story in structure. I would have rather read a more modern take or an update that is inspired by the original. I think the fundamental problem that I have with it is that it is no longer the early 19th century. We interact differently and society has changed dramatically. Certain elements just don't work. For example, I had a really difficult time believing that Henry Tilney, a lawyer, would fall for a silly 17 year old Catherine Morland. If the central romance doesn't work in Austen, the novel doesn't work.