Northanger Abbey
In true Austin style the story of a young girl immersed in nineteenth century upper class English society was used as a platform for exploration of character, society and circumstance in a most beautiful way.
Northanger Abbey - Jane Austin
Story
The heroine of the story, as she is so often referred to in first person, Catherine, spends the majority of her adolescence in the town of Fullerton near Salisbury sheltered by the concern and interest of her parents Mr and Mrs Morland. At the age of seventeen she is given opportunity, which she readily takes, for her first excursion from the family. Her travels take her with the Allens to Bath where she struggles at first to make acquaintance with anyone. Before soon however, she finds herself attending balls and dinners whilst forming a great bond with Miss Isabella Thorpe who adopts the role of big sister during Catherine’s stay. Her affection for Isabella is reflected by her brother James who arrives in Bath soon after she does. Yet these sentiments for Isabella will be short lived by both as the toils of nineteenth century focus on fortune and rank play out in a plot of deception and misconduct.
James’ arrival in Bath brings the likes of Henry Tilney to Catherine’s admiring attention. She soon realises her feelings for Henry are strong but struggles to see through his stern exterior for a mutual affection. Luckily for Catherine Henry’s sister Miss Eleanor Tilney takes warmly to her and they too form a strong bond which eventually leads to Catherine’s departure from Bath to stay at the Tilney residence, also known as Northanger Abbey.
Catherine’s stay at Northanger Abbey strengthens her connection with both the Tilneys, but her suspicion of their father, Captain Tilney, leads her to mischief about the grounds of the ancient abbey. The stay is short lived and she is summoned back to Fullerton at the request of the Captain. This comes as a shock to all, but to the disappointment no more so than to Catherine.
And I won’t say anymore! You must read it for yourself.
Review
What do I like most about Austin? I think most people who have read any of her six novels would agree with me in saying they are not thrilling, dramatic nor exciting in the conventional sense of the words. However, they are utterly irresistible to a reader desiring a lucid depiction of character and circumstance. Jane Austin has the ability to express all occasion in the most concise and exact terms. Her works are made fascinating to read on this account alone. Most of all however, I love the dialogue between characters and the occasional review paragraph from Austin herself.
The story lends itself to many passages of deep descriptions of people and places, and although the story lacked page turning quality, this aspect certainly didn’t.
Matt’s Fantabulous Book Rating: (*)(*)(*)(* 3.5 star