Austen, Jane. Northanger Abbey. Signet Classic, 1996. 240 pages. $4.95. ISBN 0451526368
Readers Annotation: A nineteenth century classic, the gothic parody follows Catherine Morland as she transitions from her quiet life in provincial England, to the city of Bath and beyond into a world of suitors, frivolity, and mystery.
Plot Summary: At the age of seventeen, Catherine Morland is taken on her first trip to Bath with the affluent Mr. and Mrs. Allen. Mrs. Allen successfully introduces Catherine to the fashionable party scene of England’s eighteenth century elite. After meeting handsome Mr. Tilney, flighty Miss Isabella Thorpe, and her over-zealous brother John, Catherine soon sees who she can trust and who just wants to advance in the ranks. She’s invited to Northanger Abbey, the hauntingly mysterious home of Mr. Tilney. She lets her imagination get the best of her, and after some great misunderstandings is sent away from the abbey. Will Catherine make up with her dear Mr. Tilney, or will the horrors of Northanger be to great?
Critical Evaluation: Northanger Abbey may seem like any of Austen’s romances, but her take on the Gothic movement proves to be exciting and often times hilarious. As with any classic novel, the language may prove difficult to master, but once the reader is submersed in the story the eloquent language becomes second nature. It seems that Northanger Abbey is one of Austen’s least popular novels, but shouldn’t be pushed aside. It is an interesting side to her writing, mixing gothic, satire and romance. Today’s teenage girls, if they don’t already enjoy period pieces, will be able to identify with Catherine as she deals with multiple suitors, an over active imagination, and finding love.
Reading Level: Due to the nature of Austen’s writing, mainly the vocabulary used, the reading level for Northanger Abbey should be fifteen or sixteen and up. It is marketed as adult fiction, but since the main character is seventeen, and is essentially a coming of age novel, I felt that it suited the fifteen to eighteen range.
Book talk ideas: Read a passage from the book, such as a description of one of the parties Catherine attends in Bath. Compare this with the nature of parties today. How different are they really? People dance, gossip, drink and eat, and there is always flirtatious behavior. Other books to read that compare would be Austen’s other novels.
Why it is included: I chose this book, again, because the main character is a teenager herself. The fact that the novel was written during the era it takes place ensures the accuracy of the historical details as well. Many teenage girls read Austen’s novels, but I seldom hear Northanger Abbey discussed. It seems to be often bypassed for her more popular works like Pride and Prejudice, which is why I thought to include it.
Challenge Ideas: There are no challenge issues.
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