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Monday, March 4, 2013

70. Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen
1817
Around 270 pages











Sadly, this is the last of the Jane Austen novels.  It is also probably the least accessible to readers.

This novel is a satire of the gothic novels that were popular at the time.  Now, having followed this list, I have read many over the top gothic novels so I really get the humor of this book.  If you haven't, you can still enjoy it, but it is almost like there is an inside joke you are not a part of.  In addition, there are many references to random novels from the time, like The Monk or Camilla.  Again, the list helps me out there.

This is the story of Catherine Morland, who fancies herself as a heroine of a gothic novel.  Like I have said in previous posts, making fun of other novels is always a fun approach.  Anyway, the story follows Catherine as she visits Northanger Abbey, which she expects to be like the castle in Mysteries of Udolpho, and falls in love with Mr. Tilney.

So this is a great novel, one that can be enjoyed by anyone.  However, if you want that extra pleasure, I would recommend reading Mysteries of Udolpho first.

Funny, witty, and romantic.  A great way to say goodbye to Jane.

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Originally titled Susan.

Exposes the danger of believing that fiction is like real life.  This is something that I am guilty of 24/7.

Is going to be adapted into a teen thriller.  Groan.

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