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books_and_cha's review against another edition
5.0
“Oh! I am delighted with the book! I should like to spend my whole life in reading it.”
I read Northanger Abbey a long time ago, and in all honesty, I didn’t have much of an opinion about it then. I had gone through the book only registering that there had been a romance involved. Now, having read all of Jane Austen’s novels but Sense and Sensibility, and being at a much better age to not only understand but also appreciate the novel, I found myself engrossed in the story, unable to put it down and unwilling for it to draw to a close – which is eventually did (too quickly, in my opinion).
Northanger Abbey is one of Austen’s juvenilia and was published after her death (such a bloody tragedy, she was only 41). Like Persuasion, which was also published posthumously, Austen’s opinions and voice as an author are distinct in this text. Her views about the intelligence of women and equality between the sexes are expressed through the dialogue, often through the character of Henry Tilney. The novel as a satire on gothic literature was also evident later in the book. Austen’s irony is heavy in this book and there are times when she’s downright sarcastic (in case you’re wondering: it’s amazing).
Another aspect of this book that I adored was the humor. Austen was downright scathing sometimes on her social commentary - and when it came to some characters - and it wasn't just funny, it was hilarious. I laughed out loud. Austen was clearly having so much fun with her novel and it made me have so much fun too.
What made this book so special to me were its characters. Unexpectedly, I loved Catherine Morland. I am generally fond of Austen’s heroines, but I did not expect such strong affection on my part for Catherine, especially so early in the novel. Catherine is young, guileless, naïve, honest, and good-hearted – she is without pretext, ill-will, or pride. Over the course of the novel, she learns who to trust and is more the wiser for her time in society. As much as Northanger Abbey is a love story, it is also a coming-of-age tale of a seventeen-year-old navigating English society for the first time on her own. Catherine Morland is an endearing character – she made me laugh, put me in distress, and had me rooting for her all the way.
Henry Tilney is, as of now, my favorite Austen hero. He is smart, generous, and playful. Watching his interactions with his sister, Eleanor Tilney (who is another cinnamon roll, by the way) and darling Catherine Morland was so much fun. I was at rapt attention every time they exchanged dialogues.
Since I was so attached to the characters – especially our heroine, Catherine – I could not rest until I finished the story. Every time I got up and then came back to the book, I was excited to read more. I love that feeling, of not being able to wait to see what happens next in a book, and this novel gave me that.
_______________
2023 reread (spoilers below):
- This book is still endearing and hilarious. The only caveat: there's a moment (Volume 2, when Catherine realizes the weight of her thoughts) when Austen writes that the horrors of gothic novels can happen elsewhere but not in England, because of how educated people are, and how small society is. Which is fine, except she throws other places under the bus (South of France, pour exemple) while creating this distinction, which is not fine.
- I never noticed how attached Henry is to Catherine. So much of the book focuses on Catherine's feelings, and her ability to catch Henry's attention because she liked him first, but Henry is constantly flirting with her, gets jealous, and basically is not as far behind in his feelings for her as I first believed (and it's delicious).
- Other than its focus on true friendship, this book goes into the importance of surrounding yourself with value peers: people who have similar values as you do. Eleanor is not just a good friend to Catherine because she makes less vapid promises than Isabella, but because she and Catherine are both kind and sincere people.
- I noticed this about P&P during this year's reread, but there's an element of slice of life in this book. Austen comments on the little joys in life, like making new friends, or having a social event to look forward to.
I read Northanger Abbey a long time ago, and in all honesty, I didn’t have much of an opinion about it then. I had gone through the book only registering that there had been a romance involved. Now, having read all of Jane Austen’s novels but Sense and Sensibility, and being at a much better age to not only understand but also appreciate the novel, I found myself engrossed in the story, unable to put it down and unwilling for it to draw to a close – which is eventually did (too quickly, in my opinion).
Northanger Abbey is one of Austen’s juvenilia and was published after her death (such a bloody tragedy, she was only 41). Like Persuasion, which was also published posthumously, Austen’s opinions and voice as an author are distinct in this text. Her views about the intelligence of women and equality between the sexes are expressed through the dialogue, often through the character of Henry Tilney. The novel as a satire on gothic literature was also evident later in the book. Austen’s irony is heavy in this book and there are times when she’s downright sarcastic (in case you’re wondering: it’s amazing).
Another aspect of this book that I adored was the humor. Austen was downright scathing sometimes on her social commentary - and when it came to some characters - and it wasn't just funny, it was hilarious. I laughed out loud. Austen was clearly having so much fun with her novel and it made me have so much fun too.
What made this book so special to me were its characters. Unexpectedly, I loved Catherine Morland. I am generally fond of Austen’s heroines, but I did not expect such strong affection on my part for Catherine, especially so early in the novel. Catherine is young, guileless, naïve, honest, and good-hearted – she is without pretext, ill-will, or pride. Over the course of the novel, she learns who to trust and is more the wiser for her time in society. As much as Northanger Abbey is a love story, it is also a coming-of-age tale of a seventeen-year-old navigating English society for the first time on her own. Catherine Morland is an endearing character – she made me laugh, put me in distress, and had me rooting for her all the way.
Henry Tilney is, as of now, my favorite Austen hero. He is smart, generous, and playful. Watching his interactions with his sister, Eleanor Tilney (who is another cinnamon roll, by the way) and darling Catherine Morland was so much fun. I was at rapt attention every time they exchanged dialogues.
Since I was so attached to the characters – especially our heroine, Catherine – I could not rest until I finished the story. Every time I got up and then came back to the book, I was excited to read more. I love that feeling, of not being able to wait to see what happens next in a book, and this novel gave me that.
_______________
2023 reread (spoilers below):
- This book is still endearing and hilarious. The only caveat: there's a moment (Volume 2, when Catherine realizes the weight of her thoughts) when Austen writes that the horrors of gothic novels can happen elsewhere but not in England, because of how educated people are, and how small society is. Which is fine, except she throws other places under the bus (South of France, pour exemple) while creating this distinction, which is not fine.
- I never noticed how attached Henry is to Catherine. So much of the book focuses on Catherine's feelings, and her ability to catch Henry's attention because she liked him first, but Henry is constantly flirting with her, gets jealous, and basically is not as far behind in his feelings for her as I first believed (and it's delicious).
- Other than its focus on true friendship, this book goes into the importance of surrounding yourself with value peers: people who have similar values as you do. Eleanor is not just a good friend to Catherine because she makes less vapid promises than Isabella, but because she and Catherine are both kind and sincere people.
- I noticed this about P&P during this year's reread, but there's an element of slice of life in this book. Austen comments on the little joys in life, like making new friends, or having a social event to look forward to.
butterfly2507's review against another edition
1.0
Good God. Couldn't even make it past 40 pages. What the hell was that? Boring, full of stereotypes and a "heroine" ... that's not even acting like a heroine. Also, most of the characters are goddamn annoying. (Ooooh I really wish I could dance ... ooooh I really wish I would know someone). Ugh.
merillupin's review against another edition
4.0
1st read: March 16, 2008
2nd: August 6, 2009
3rd: July 6, 2016
2nd: August 6, 2009
3rd: July 6, 2016
highkingfelagund's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
krsweet's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
flamingostrikes's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
epmasters's review against another edition
4.0
While I love Jane Austen, this, for me, did not compare to Pride and Prejudice. That being said, I still would rank this book highly because it is overall enjoyable.
bookishbrooke's review against another edition
4.0
My first Jane Austen read! I thoroughly enjoyed and am glad this was my introduction to her writing.
bibliorealki's review against another edition
5.0
Ci sono autrici e autori che, per quanto riconosciuti siano, io, come molti atri, ho paura di avvicinare. Mi correggo: non è proprio paura, quanto un sentimento che sta a metà fra l’ammirazione per la loro immensità, la diffidenza nei confronti del loro talento e la presunzione di pensare che non sia rilevante approfondirli. Jane Austen era probabilmente la prima a capo di questa schiera. Uso l’imperfetto perché, come potrete supporre, Northanger Abbey ha saputo mettermi al mio posto e vincere le mie resistenze. Permettetemi allora di fare lo stesso per voi e introdurvi a un classico della letteratura inglese frizzante come pochi!
Per leggere il resto della recensione: https://www.stregainbiblioteca.it/recensioni/northanger-abbey-e-larte-di-leggere/
Per leggere il resto della recensione: https://www.stregainbiblioteca.it/recensioni/northanger-abbey-e-larte-di-leggere/