Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Book Review- Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey (Modern Library Classics) Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

I really liked this book and even more so now after being in Bath a few weeks ago. It was great to have a real place in my head when reading the scenes in Bath. Of course, that is not what I liked best about Northanger Abbey. What I like best is Catherine Morland. I love her obsession with novels, gothic horror novels at that, and her naivete when it comes to the people she meets.

The characters are absolutely perfectly portrayed- the innocence of Catherine, the selfish and greedy Isabella Thorpe, the sweet and kind Eleanor Tilney and her handsome gentlemanly brother, Henry. Their father does very well at convincing Catherine in her silly notions that their home and family are straight out of the novels she enjoys.

This was a fun and entertaining story, not as serious as Jane Austen's other novels. Not my favorite but definitely one I will enjoy reading again.

4/5

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13 comments:

  1. This is the only Austen book I haven't yet read. I think we're planning to read it in Jan or Feb in our Jane Austen book club, so I'm waiting until then. I think it sounds so different from other Austen novels, so I'm really looking forward to it.

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  2. I haven't read any of the Jane Austen books yet and I do feel like I am missing out. I will definitely get on to it.

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  3. It took me another read to actually get into Northanger Abbey, but once I did I thought it was great!

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  4. I have this one on my shelf, but haven't read it yet. I've heard it's not one of her best and it's good to hear I may really like it anyway :)

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  5. I really enjoyed this book! And it's about time I read more Jane Austen...I think I'll pick up Emma soon.

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  6. I haven't read a ton of Austen yet, but I definitely enjoyed Northanger. It had a few laugh-out-loud moments for me, which I wasn't expecting going into it.

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  7. This was my least favorite Austen but I still like it more than most books I read!

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  8. I am so seriously jealous that you were reading this in Bath. I have not read Jane Austin books except P & P. Gasp. I hope to soon. Great review.

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  9. This is one of the only Austen novels I have not read yet. I hope to soon.

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  10. This is one of my fave Austen books and I think its very underrated. Plus, wow, I'm so jealous you were in Bath. Austen sets most of Persuasion and Northanger Abbey there :)

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  11. What a great mix of Austen readers and nonreaders. Either way, this is a great book. :)

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  12. I've read this book several times and I often uses it in my classes. I loved watching ITV recent adaptation. I wrote a post about it some time ago in my blogs titled: A heroine, her ancestor and her heiress.
    http://flyhigh-by-learnonline.blogspot.com/search/label/Northanger%20Abbey

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  13. Maria-Thanks for sharing the link. I am off to read.

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Thanks for taking the time to comment! :)