At seventeen, Catherine Morland reads books. She especially enjoys gothic novels like Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho which contain castles with secret passages, mysterious rooms and evil inhabitants. Miss Morland takes these romantic thoughts with her to Bath where she spends several weeks with her neighbors, the Allens. It is there that she meets Isabella and the braggart, foul mouthed, deceptive John Thorpe and both love Catherine immensely, or do they really? Catherine also befriends Henry and his sister Eleanor Tilney. Catherine loves Henry from the first sight of him. She is ecstatic to be invited to their home, Northanger Abbey. Henry fuels her romantic thoughts on the trip to the Abbey in what seems like a mockery of her love of novels.

I so looked forward to reading my beautiful edition of Northanger Abbey but I was just as let down by the Abbey as Catherine. We both expected something that never transpired. There was little romance and hardly any cat and mouse games which I have become accustomed to in an Austen novel. As usual, her trademark injustices of class distinctions are present . The exception to any romantic liaison is John Thorpe who simply loves John Thorpe. I have never met a character which I detest more than this man. His gaul and audacity make me cringe.
I never knew for certain Henry's feelings for Catherine as I found the story to lack passion and intensity with a conclusion that is hurried and is simply a review of events by the narrator. A tidy way to wrap things up. It is as if Austen was ready to finish this story and move on to the next. Disappointed that the object of the title did not present itself until Chapter 20! With all do respect, this novel was Austen's first but published post-humously by her brother.

I recommend it to lovers of Austen though not enthusiastically. ( )

currently listening to: librivox on ipod while i walk to and from work. so nice!****loved it! although i wish there had been a showdown with isabella at the end. ( )

My favorite Jane Austen book! ( )

Altogether not a bad story. Catherine is so naïve about the world, relationships, etc. that she doesn't even notice General Tilney's efforts to unite her with Henry. The eventual partnership between Catherine and Henry comes about quicky and without much emotion attached. The end ties things together too quickly to really understand the intricacy of what has transpired. ( )

A great read, occasionally overlooked by Austen readers or taken out of the context it was meant to be written in. One should come into it with an understanding of, if not appreciation for, early gothic novels such as the Monk, the Mysteries of Udolpho, or the Castle of Otranto. Its simultaneous championing and lampooning of the novel as an art form make it a very funny, compelling book. ( )