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hailstorm3812's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Sexism and Death of parent
diana_raquel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
From the six major novels of Jane Austen, to me, this is the odd one. Maybe because it's one of her early works, this is a little rough around the edges.
The first time I read Northanger Abbey, I thought it was a little odd but it had some charm to it. Still, I thought that this one would become my least favorite book by Austen. By then, I already had read the other five major novels, so this one was the least favorite because it was odd.
Now that I've reread Austen several times, I still think this is the odd one but it isn't my least favorite (that "honor" belongs to the irritating thing also known as Mansfield Park). At least, this one isn't impregnated with irritating and boring characters. Well, I absolutely detest John and find Isabella irritating, but I'm supposed to feel that way. He's the villain, she's the "fake friend", you're not supposed to like them. But, in Mansfield Park, you're supposed to like the Crawfords.
But, comparisons to Mansfield Park aside, to me this isn't a bad book. It simply lacks some characteristics that you expect in an Austen novel. The love story isn't the great love affair that you see in other works, and the pacing is a little wonky- more than half of the book is set in Bath, and we spent very little time in Northanger Abbey. To me, this is more a coming of age story, not a love story.
But I actually liked the satire and the social commentary. And it is a fun book, just don't expect it to be a masterpiece. I actually think this is a good book to start reading Austen or classics. It is entertaining and easy to read. So if you're looking for an introduction to classics or to the regency period in literature, this is a great way to start.
Final note: If you want to watch an adaptation of this novel, I recommend the movie adaptation of 2007 starting Felicity Jones and JJ Feild. It's a very good, faithful, and charming adaptation of this coming of age story. Perfect for a rainy day!
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Sexism, Murder, and Misogyny
mattiedancer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
- Fans of Jane Austen
- Fans of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
- Those looking for a fun classic novel with slight hints of romance
- Those who love MC with an overactive imagination
- Misogyny, sexism, classism, death of a parent, death, illness, toxic relationships, toxic friendships,
Graphic: Classism, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Murder
naomi_k's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Sexism
Minor: Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Classism, and Confinement
tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
remuslibrary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Classism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Misogyny
darkefyres's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent and Toxic friendship
jja_b's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death of parent and Classism
Minor: Infidelity
alexh's review against another edition
3.0
Minor: Antisemitism and Sexism
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
This is my third Jane Austen novel to date, and probably one of my favorites. The humor, wit, and satirical premise displays once again the overall genius of Austen’s writing, a feat which I cannot wait to explore more in the future.
Northanger Abby follows Catherine throughout her experiences in bath and directly after, as she comes of age with a unique cast of characters and settings very much contrasting to her usual home environment. While readers get a glimpse of society life through a scathing social commentary of prior England, we can also see the cognitive dissonance between growing up and maintaining innocence, a marker of youth today. The characters are such a defining quality in Austen’s ability to stay popular for centuries past her life. We understand them and it feels as if they would understand us.
One thing I would have loved to see more of is the gothic elements-I felt like they took a back seat in the story-but nevertheless, I thought Northanger Abby was wonderful.
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Classism