"...the obvious choice for Jane Austen's modern readers."

"An exemplary edition!"

Northanger Abbey tells the story of a young girl, Catherine Morland who leaves her sheltered, rural home to enter the busy, sophisticated world of Bath in the late 1790s. Austen observes with insight and humour the interaction between Catherine and the various characters whom she meets there, and tracks her growing understanding of the world about her. In this, her first full-length novel, Austen also fixes her sharp, ironic gaze on other kinds of contemporary novel, especially the Gothic school made famous by Ann Radcliffe. Catherine's reading becomes intertwined with her social and romantic adventures, adding to the uncertainties and embarrassments she must undergo before finding happiness.

"Northanger Abbey" tells the story of a young girl, Catherine Morland who leaves her sheltered, rural home to enter the busy, sophisticated world of Bath in the late 1790s. Austen observes with insight and humour the interaction between Catherine and the various characters whom she meets there, and tracks her growing understanding of the world about her. In this, her first full-length novel, Austen also fixes her sharp, ironic gaze on other kinds of contemporary novel, especially the Gothic school made famous by Ann Radcliffe. Catherine's reading becomes intertwined with her social and romantic adventures, adding to the uncertainties and embarrassments she must undergo before finding happiness.

The Broadview Editions series is an effort to represent the ever-changing canon of literature in English by bringing together texts long regarded as classics with valuable, lesser-known literature. Newly type-set and produced on high-quality paper in trade paperback format, the Broadview Editions series is a delight to handle as well as to read.

Each volume includes a full introduction, chronology, bibliography, and explanatory notes along with a variety of documents from the period, giving readers a rich sense of the world from which the work emerged.

Introduction and Notes by David Blair, University of Kent

2008-06-29 Charming and thought-provoking about imaginations

Northanger Abbey is not Jane Austen's best known or read work which is really a shame, because it is quite charming. I love the way, Austen's work are as relevant, entertaining, and thought-provoking now as when they were written in the beginning of the 19th century.

Northanger Abbey is the story of a would-be heroine, Catherine Morland, who accompanies the Allens to Bath. Here she is thrushed into a world, the likes of which she has only read about in novels. There are parties, drama, charming young men, and her new friends Isabella and Eleanor. And the intrigues: Catherine's brother is engaged to Isabella, and Isabella's brother fancies Catherine. Catherine on the other hand has affection for Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey. Catherine is invited to Northanger Abbey and oh, you should read the story instead of me just relating it.

Norhtanger Abbey is also about storytelling and the recent popularity of Gothic novels. It is about the imaginations of Catherine and pretty much every other character in the book. Everyone has their own imaginative approach to the world they live in and these worlds collide.

Something I find very enjoyable in Northanger Abbey, is Austen's active narration. Once in while, she pops in, speaking of herself in the first person and subtly whispers in the ear of the reading. It is marvellous.

Louise.