Book Review – Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Seventeen year old Catherine Morland finds herself the lucky young lady to accompany family friends to Bath for six weeks of pleasure.  She leaves behind her large family of brothers and sisters and her doting mother and father.  It is quite evident after the first evening spent in Bath, that Mr Tilney, a clergyman, has developed a high regard for the pretty Catherine.  She expects to see him again the next day, but when he doesn’t come by, she worries.  In the meantime she makes firm friends with Miss Isabella Thorpe, a young lady just older than herself who has much taste and sense of style.  However, when Mr Tilney returns to Bath, along with his family, Miss Morland and Mr Tilney’s sister, Eleanor became happy acquaintances, much to the disappointment of Miss Thorpe and her annoying brother, John. Strange things occur during her stay in Bath – happy news of her brother’s engagement reach her as well as a request to return to Northanger Abbey with the Tilneys.  Her visit to the Abbey excites many discoveries and suspicions, as well as much attention from Mr Tilney’s father.  Catherine can’t help but feel slightly awkward in the mysterious abbey and one evening brings on an even more mysterious event...  Will she ever see her beloved Henry Tilney again or his sister?  And what about Miss Isabella Thorpe?  

These questions fill the mind of the reader towards the latter part of the story which gives it a sense of deep mystery...

Northanger Abbey is quite a mysterious book which gave me a sense of fear and expectation in many parts.  As strangely as it is written, it is by no means a horrible book.  I was so keen to finish it quickly so that I shouldn’t be left wondering too long.  It has a rather abrupt, but happy ending which leaves the reader imagining more chapters to ‘finish’ the story.  I would rate this particular book three stars.  Not one of Jane Austen’s finest, but certainly not at all boring!  If you enjoy a mystery book more than a romance, then I am sure you will not be disappointed in Northanger Abbey...