Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

From Goodreads: "A wonderfully entertaining coming-of-age story, Northanger Abbey is often referred to as Jane Austen’s 'Gothic parody.' Decrepit castles, locked rooms, mysterious chests, cryptic notes, and tyrannical fathers give the story an uncanny air, but one with a decidedly satirical twist.

The story’s unlikely heroine is Catherine Morland, a remarkably innocent seventeen-year-old woman from a country parsonage. While spending a few weeks in Bath with a family friend, Catherine meets and falls in love with Henry Tilney, who invites her to visit his family estate, Northanger Abbey. Once there, Catherine, a great reader of Gothic thrillers, lets the shadowy atmosphere of the old mansion fill her mind with terrible suspicions. What is the mystery surrounding the death of Henry’s mother? Is the family concealing a terrible secret within the elegant rooms of the Abbey? Can she trust Henry, or is he part of an evil conspiracy? Catherine finds dreadful portents in the most prosaic events, until Henry persuades her to see the peril in confusing life with art."

Northanger Abbey is often overlooked and misunderstood. It is somewhat different from Jane Austen's other novels. While her other books are generally focused on social structures and relationships, Northanger Abbey is a tongue in cheek look at literature of the day. I particularly enjoyed the way that Jane Austen stood up for other authors of the time period who were looked down on. Northanger Abbey is a sparkling tribute to books and the people who love them.

"It is only a novel... or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humour, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language.” -Northanger Abbey

I'll confess that the first time I read Northanger Abbey, I didn't get it at all. I recently re-read it, however, and since I already understood the basics of the plot, I was able to focus on understanding the satire and on the dry humor that makes this book a treasure. I particularly enjoyed Catherine Morland, the young, gothic novel obsessed heroine. Northanger Abbey can be a bit hard to get into, but it's not one to miss, particularly if you're a fan of Jane Austen, satire, or particularly excellent dry humor.

Until next time,

Rachel

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