Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (1817)

An innocent and naive young woman ventures into the world, heroically confronting duplicity, terror, and romance.

Book Review: Northanger Abbey is Jane Austen's most entertaining and amusing novel, if for no other reason than the reader can clearly see that Austen is having fun, chortling (in a most ladylike way) to herself as she dashes off another comedic line. The book is identified as the first of her six major novels to be written, but the last to be published, seen as the last of her juvenilia, and a transition to her more mature works, noted for their subtle social commentary. All that may be true, but Northanger is a romp. Our almost too-good-to-be-true heroine, Catherine Morland, virtually a Candide in a (voluminous) silk dress, puppy-like expects and sees the best in everyone she meets, fearing nothing but loneliness and isolation. The first half of the book reads much like a parody of Austen's own later writings. But, in the second half, having read too many Gothic novels and traveled to crumbling Northanger Abbey, Catherine begins to see horror behind every curtain. Here Austen frolics, as she deliciously parodies what must've been her own infatuation with Ann Radcliffe (1764-1823) and other writers' Gothic romances. Austen, with deep passion, goes on and on about novels, authors, plots, noting that rarely do their characters read a novel, and "who, if she accidentally takes up a novel, is sure to turn over its insipid pages in disgust. Alas! if the heroine of one novel be not patronized by the heroine of another, from whom can she expect protection and regard?" Austen discusses spoilers: "What can it be? -- But do not tell me -- I would not be told upon any account." She even provides a list of best Gothic romances to read. One of the best parts of Northanger Abbey is that it is a book about books. But also about the growth and experiences of our heroine. At one point a character tries to bring the susceptible Catherine down to earth with stiff-upper-lip sentiments: "Remember the country and age in which we live. Remember that we are English, that we are Christians." Even her own mother tries to instill backbone by saying, "you always were a sad little shatter-brained creature." What becomes of our "shatter-brained" heroine? Austen, in her proto-post-modern way admits that the reader will note that few pages remain in the book, and so the reader is aware "that we are all hastening together to ... ." What? Read Northanger Abbey to find out. Jane Austen is having a good time, and so will the reader. [4★]