Review: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen ★★★★

Description: "While spending a few weeks in Bath with a family friend, Catherine meets and falls in love with Henry Tilney, who invites her to visit his family estate, Northanger Abbey. Once there, Catherine, a great reader of Gothic thrillers, lets the shadowy atmosphere of the old mansion fill her mind with terrible suspicions. What is the mystery surrounding the death of Henry's mother? Is the family concealing a terrible secret within the elegant rooms of the Abbey? Can she trust Henry, or is he part of an evil conspiracy?" (Source: Goodreads)

My Review:
I must start this review by saying that I had completely misrepresented this book in my head prior to starting it. After seeing it described as Austen's "Parody of a Gothic Mystery", I thought that it would be just that: that the heroine here would need to solve "The Mystery" (later revised about 30 pages in to "The Mystery of the Missing Mr. Tilney" after he mysteriously disappears), but I could not have been more wrong. (I tend to do that.)

This is a lovely and funny coming-of-age slash romantic comedy slash social parody with essence of a gothic mystery added to the latter half. Catherine Morland is something of a good-intentioned, honest-to-a-fault, persuadable, cup is half-full kind of a girl, who loves exciting romantic mystery novels. She's indulged as far as education goes by her parents not exactly requiring her to have any, but this really allowed her to be something of a blank slate - willing and eager to learn and be taught, and humble to a fault in assuming that the entire world is more knowledgeable than she, so she defers to the informed decisions of her friends... at least until she learns that she's misjudged some of them. I really liked the subtle way in which Austen communicated Catherine's thoughts and feelings to us. She did a great job in showing how naive Catherine is without making her into a simpleton.

The Thorpes are, to put it bluntly, utterly ridiculous. They honestly made this story for the sheer fact of their utter ridiculousness providing conflict and anxiety for poor innocent Catherine, and more than a little comic relief for the reader. Their perception of things, and the way that they interact with the world is quite funny, although it must have been pretty shocking back then.

The Tilneys on the other hand, were proper and true friends to Catherine, never proclaiming it, just doing it. They are the embodiment of actions speaking more loudly than words. They are kind, and sympathetic and good-hearted. I loved Henry Tilney. He is funny, witty, smart and understanding. He may be up there with Darcy and Wentworth among my favorite Austen men. His speeches were very enjoyable, even if they do have a slightly condescending "inferior female" air to them. That was the norm then, and despite that, Henry is certainly more understanding and kind to women than most men are. I loved that he was willing to explain things that Catherine did not understand, instead of patting her on the head and clucking over how precious little Miss Morland is.

I really enjoyed watching Catherine come into her own, and I enjoyed watching her make mistakes and learn from them. She is so innocent and naive and pure, and just generally good that you can't help but like her. It really had me laughing to see how oblivious poor Catherine was to all innuendo and hints, but then pride herself on her cunning suspicions regarding the mysterious death of someone who'd lived at Northanger Abbey previously. When she is proved wrong, she is deeply ashamed and concerned over the way her suspicions may have affected others, which is refreshingly unselfish and honest, and I just loved her for it.

There were two things that dropped this down from a 5 star to a 4 star for me. First was the narration interrupting the story. Granted, sometimes this was useful and moved the story along, but it just seemed strange and out of place to me here. The second was that the ending felt a bit rushed and unfinished. I would have liked to have seen some the the shining wit and understanding that Henry had previously shown come out when he spoke with her at her house. Rather, it was all just narrated and glossed over. I understand the reason for this, but I can still be disappointed by it.

Overall, I really did like this one, although it turned out to be a bit different than I'd been expecting. Very enjoyable!!

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Jane in June: "Dear Jane" Letter

The following letter is my contribution to Jane in June, hosted on Bookrat Misty's blog. Enjoy. :)


To: My dearest Miss Austen,

Oh my, I recall the first occasion of my having read one of your novels. I must admit to feeling quite overcome by the volume of immediate introductions imposed upon this most humble reader’s acquaintance regarding the inhabitants of “Mansfield Park”, and I nearly, quite nearly in fact, found myself disinclined to carry forward in the endeavor of reading this novel. Persevere I did, however, and to my delight, I found myself enamored with the strength of character and morality of the lovely Miss Fanny Price. What a sweet and humble young lady Miss Price is, to have had the entire Bertram family- save one-peer down upon her as if she were no better than a servant, withstand the immense pressures of her peers so as to avoid straying down the path of the wicked flirt or carouser, and yet continue to hold her head high with pride when all but the very greatest of burdens were upon her shoulders.

I daresay I hardly need tell you, but this reader found Miss Fanny Price to be an inspiration, despite my modern feminist sensibilities, and quite refreshing, too! I was so pleased that Miss Price found her way to happiness, and the joy of this experience left me quite enchanted, so I made up my mind right at that exact moment to read all of your gracious gifts to the world of literature, and leave no page unturned in this quest.

To this end I have read your “Pride and Prejudice” and have fallen in love with the prideful Miss Lizzie Bennet and the prejudiced Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and the beautiful estate at Pemberley! Oh how I pitied poor, poor Miss Bennet trials with her flighty and nervous (and, to be honest, nerve-wracking!) family. I simply adored Miss Bennet for the patience and strength that her pride afforded her when it comes to that silly group!

My further ventures into your world, into that of “Sense and Sensibility,” allowed for the acquaintance of another sweet and humble young lady in Miss Elinor Dashwood. Miss Dashwood simply epitomizes the completely unselfish actt of putting all others before oneself, and she is to be commended for this rare and admirable trait. I also found myself completely in awe and drawn to Miss Dashwood’s impetuous and immensely passionate sister, Miss Marianne Dashwood. She both inspires a desire to live life to the utmost and breaks one’s heart at the same time. I do love her!

Following these exceptional works, I had the pleasure of reading “Persuasion”, which, in feel and style is more mature and solemn than any of the previous stories mentioned. This story is intimate and wistful and communicates to the reader a sense of longing and regret. Yet, the letter –oh that letter!- from Captain Wentworth! “Be still my heart!” as the great poet once said, though with different meaning! That letter, notwithstanding the lovely and heartfelt story that preceded it, is enough to stay in this reader’s memory for a very, very long time to come.

After this brush with love and longing, I perused the epistolary novella “Lady Susan”, and must express, my dear Miss Austen, that Lady Susan is no Lady with regards to her bearing and behavior! Quite deplorable and shameless manipulation and narcissism! I found the writing to be admirable, as per the usual grace and skill of your own dear self, but the subject matter was altogether a departure from your normal standards!

Finally, I had the opportunity to meet a lovely, albeit naïve, young Miss Emma Woodhouse. My, my, she did have some growing up to do! I can proudly say that I did see that maturity develop in her, but only after many attempts at playing Cupid with locution as her arrow!

This reader still has some few stories and novellas to read, some of which are sadly left unfinished, but I’m writing now to communicate my excitement over an opportunity which has arisen to read the last heretofore unread novel which comprises your body of work, by which I mean “Northanger Abbey”. This occasion, known as “Jane in June”, is a veritable celebration of your legacy to literature! And, I must admit, as an admirer of the gothic style, I simply cannot wait to experience this story. I am waiting with bated breath! Look for my next letter to let you know just precisely how much I enjoyed it—as I am fully certain I will!
Yours in literature appreciation,
Miss Becky R---

Upcoming: Jane In June - Northanger Abbey

In honor of Misty's 'Jane In June' activity, I've decided that I'm going to read the many-times-put-off Northanger Abbey. I don't really know why I keep pushing this one back, but push it back I have. Tsk Tsk. Shameful, I know. And I do so love Jane. Anyway... Look for my review later this month!! :)