Reviews with content warning for Sexism - Northanger Abbey

I love this one. As a fellow nerd that can have trouble remembering life doesn't follow story beats, it's a relatable book. I always forget how invested I get in the Isabelle plotline but that really close slightly gay teenage girl friendship is always a hit for me. Always a fun time. It's also funny to see Jane Austen perfecting her love interest fake out she uses for most of the other books, but Catherine doesn't care for John at all, its just everyone else lol.

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diana_raquel's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."

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!

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mattiedancer's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious slow-paced

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

Writing: 5⭐️/5

As a Jane Austen fan, it’s hard to find a flaw with her writing. The flow of her prose is well crafted and many lines are truly stunning. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Characters: 4.75⭐️/5

The characters were fun and refreshing. I enjoy that Austen’s protagonists always feel different, and Catherine was no different. I enjoyed her ignorance to the world around her that felt perfectly in line with someone of her age and class. Reading about her misunderstandings felt fun – even funny or horrifying – and I loved watching her opinion of everyone around her grow and change. Her toxic friend, Isabella, even felt alive on the page. I could understand how someone like that could infiltrate Catherine’s life. My only grievance is General Tilney, whose character seemed rushed towards change at the end for a snag in the plot. I didn’t hate the flow of this story, simply wish his reaction had been slightly more aligned with a “gentleman” as he was so heavily painted to be.

Plot: 4.25⭐️/5

The small, humorous, and innocent misunderstandings that directed the plot in the majority of the novel are directly contrasted with the seriousness of the final misunderstanding in a way that brought the story to life. I loved the lower stakes drama being outshone by the high stakes clash in the final moments of the story. I did, however, wish that more care had been given to the final moments of the romance. I missed having a big moment reminiscent of Pride & Prejudice or Emma. For this reason, I felt a bit let down by the ending.

Who Should Read This Book?

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

Content Warnings?

Misogyny, sexism, classism, death of a parent, death, illness, toxic relationships, toxic friendships,

Post-Reading Rating: 3.5⭐️/5

I felt like the romance was a bit of a let down, which bothered my when I turned the final page. I had fun, but I went into it expecting a bit more of a romantic pinnacle that never really came.

Final Rating: 4.5⭐️/5

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naomi_k's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

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tea_at_mole_end's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

2.5

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remuslibrary's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.75

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darkefyres's review against another edition

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challenging slow-paced

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

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jja_b's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

Was a little slow at first, but once we were introduced to the abbey, I found the story very engaging. Overall, it was quite fun. I wish there were a little more of the gothic themes, however.

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