Reading some books will require a certain amount of patience to finish it. You will not be easily drawn but eventually the story will pick up. I was not indeed out of focus while I was reading Northanger Abbey. But I had to pull A LOT of patience in order to reach the end page. I’m technically a week behind its (February) schedule.
The story is about Catherine Morland, who used to be tomboyish and bloomed as she reached the prime of her teen life. As she desired to have new acquaintances, she joined family friends Mr. and Mrs. Allen Wood to Bath for a few weeks. She willingly attended balls and there she gained new acquaintances. Later on, she became friends in particular with Isabella Thorpe and her brother John who fancies her, and Henry Tilney whom she likes.
As the story progressed, it was implicitly mentioned that Catherine is engrossed with the novel The Mysteries of Udolpho. Hence, when she was invited by General Tilney (Henry’s father) to Northanger Abbey estate, her imagination kicked in. Associating the General to the death of his wife. From there, the story built up. The complications followed and as predictable the ending is, against all odds, Henry proposed to Catherine.
The story is different from other Jane Austen novels. The theme is lighter, unique because of the mystery, and IS less engaging to boring. Applying the law of exceptions, not all novelists and artists will come up with excellent works. There will always be something inferior. And count Northanger Abbey as one of them.
This novel is far behind Sense and Sensibility which Kayni, Sinta, Jeanny and I did like.
For March, we’re reading Love and Friendship, and Other Early Works.
