Jane Austen, A to Z: Northanger Abbey

Technically, I didn’t read Northanger Abbey. I listened to the audiobook. It was extremely enjoyable to tend to my indoor garden or drive around town and listen to a book.

I also started to watch Northanger Abbey on Amazon Prime. Hopefully, I’ll finish it this week.

Northanger Abbey is a bit of a satire of Gothic novels. Gothic novels usually include elements of fear and romance, like Wuthering Heights or The Tell-Tale Heart. I love Gothic novels but I don’t mind Jane Austen poking a little fun at them.

The main character, Catherine, has been reading Gothic novels and lets her imagination get the better of her while staying at Northanger Abbey. She imagines that there is a mystery to be discovered in the rooms of the deceased Mrs. Tilney. Catherine thinks that it’s possible that General Tilney may have murdered her.

There is more to the story but I don’t want to spoil it for you.

So far Northanger Abbey is my favorite Jane Austen novel. It is probably because of the small amount of Gothic elements. It’s the most mysterious of any of Austen’s novels.