Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Published by Bantam Dell Classics
211 pages

Classic Literature

Cushions: 3/5
Paperclips: 0/5
Smiles: 4/5 (very witty!)
Tissues: 1/5

Emina’s recommendation rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Meet Catherine Morland, an ordinary young woman from an ordinary English family. Upon her arrival to Bath, an intriguing society where fashion and social manners are of high priority, she becomes infatuated with young Henry Tilney. She also meets her new best friend, Isabella Thorpe who has fallen in love with Catherine’s older brother, James Morland. Isabella and Catherine are entranced by novels such as Udolpho and spend many moments together talking about the literature they have and are reading.

Catherine then receives an invitation to join the Tilneys’ at their residence, Northanger Abbey. She gaily accepts, but not long after does she learn that Isabella’s brother, Mr. Thorpe, is in love with her! Shocked, Catherine turns down every hope of their ever having a relationship.

At Northanger Abbey, a gothic tale unfolds. Catherine is intrigued and spooked by the ancient residence and it’s inhibitants. She is also drawn to the room where Mrs. Tilney was said to have suddenly died; a room that nobody has touched since her death many years ago. Catherine sets her mind to uncovering the family’s secrets, even while she knows she mustn’t poke her nose into matters best left alone by ousiders of the Abbey.

Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen’s first written and last published novel, is a quick read compared to her other works. Her writing is light and witty, and her characters are put into many socially awkward positions giving the reader quite the shock and laugh.