Alright, so I'm a little nervous about this post because I'm not an intellectual, and I'm really not sure what to discuss in relation to the book.
1.)I really enjoyed it.
2.)It ended pretty abruptly.
3.)I LOVE Jane Austen's sassiness in this book.
Those really are the points I kind of want to discuss, and then we'll see where all your thoughts ultimately lead the discussion.
Now for point 1. I loved it for several reasons... one being that it was easy to read. I have always had a fear of the classics, mostly because I wasn't sure I would be smart enough to understand the language. But it hasn't been the case with the two Jane Austen's that I have read. I am instantly connected to the characters she creates, and the world she sees. I LOVED HENRY TILNEY. I already said that I thought of him as a Bingley like character, but not as oblivious. Tilney is wonderful, and has a great sense of humor, and it was so very easy to fall for him. I also liked the heart of Catherine. I had to keep reminding myself that she is only seventeen, and is trying to make her way in the world. Catherine has a good heart and a good temperament. She isn't as judgmental as some of Austen's other heroine's, and I liked reading about her becoming a woman. I also enjoyed the humor in this book. I smiled through most of my reading.
On a side note: I loved how Mr. Tilney related marriage to dancing! I loved that discussion, and wonder anyone else's thoughts on it.
Point 2: The book ended so suddenly. I felt as if I had just hit the third quarter when Catherine is rushed off of Northanger Abbey, and then it's 15 pages to the end. It really felt rushed, and quickly patched up. I'm happy at the happy endings, but they just seemed rushed, and wrapped a little too neatly. And I still just don't understand Henry's father. It just seems odd to me.
And finally point 3: I absolutely ADORE Jane Austen's voice in this book. It is so witty and youthful and wonderful. This book felt so like an non-angsty. I loved her asides to the reader, and her sarcasm. I don't know next to anything about Gothic novels, but she really had me intrigued and wanting to read one.
I'm sorry my thoughts are a jumbled mess, but over the course of the last hour I have overdosed on Dr. Pepper!
Those are the thoughts from Sarah! (Now if you're an author you can just add to the post if you like, or you can make a comment.) And everyone else who isn't an author on the blog, please let me know your thoughts, and feelings on the book!
Ready.... DISCUSS!!
I am very close to the end. I should be finished tonight or tomorrow. :)
ReplyDeleteYay for almost finishing the book... boo for no one discussing.
ReplyDeleteMs Ella my love... what is our next book or books???
PS I love you!
Sorry. This week is craaazy. I've got a huge interview coming up on Thursday. will try to post on Friday. Very excited!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear your thoughts. I actually thought of you a lot when I read the book. Mostly because of your knowledge and love of all things gothic!
DeleteMiss Lady Jagger I apologise I did not finish it in time as got really busy but I absolutely love you and will try harder on next one. As my apology is so sincere I expect I will not have to serve a detention, right?
ReplyDeleteNo detention for you. I feel your love! I also loved the package you sent to a Lady Sarah Jagger!
DeleteI'm finishing up a return package for the Potters!
My passion for ancient edifices is second only to my passion for Henry Tilney. hee hee
ReplyDeleteI am finished! I must ask, did you read both volumes or just one. I was confused when you said she went to Northanger Abbey and then there were 15 pages. . . or were you exaggerating?
ReplyDeleteI meant when she got kicked out of Northanger Abbey... from that point on it seemed like a sprint to the end, but after having everything so wonderfully described and then to turn into a mad dash, with a happily ever after... that is what I meant.
DeleteOh, okay. You had me confused for a second. I know that it was originally published in two volumes, although I have no idea where exactly the division is.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure how I feel about the book. I enjoyed the storyline. I loved when Mr. Tilney teased her about the possible Gothic adventure she'd have at the Abbey. In truth I loved whenever he would tease her. However I am not always certain he was teasing her. Either it was very dry teasing, or he wasn't and I was imposing my modern outlook on it.
It has been a while since I have read Austen. The last one I read was Pride and Prejudice and that was 5 years agao, then there was Emma which was my freshman year of college, lastly I read Sense and Sensibility in high school. With this understanding of my Austin past, I ask you is her voice often like that? I don't remember it being quite like that. It felt a bit disjointed. At times she seemed completely behind her heroine and other characters and then later she seemed like a woman gossiping to another without emotional investment. Am I completely off base here?
I did love Catherine's "delusions" and associations with real life and gothic novels. I kind of wished there more of that. It seemed she learned her lesson and that was the end of her fantasy. She was only 17 and yet seemed to become an "adult" rather abruptly.
I want to pose another question. I bring up to my kids often the idea of the moral of the story. I really believe that an author, in general, wants us to learn something from their writings. What would be the moral of Northanger Abbey?
I think she is a bit more youthful in her writing of Northanger. This is the first story she wrote, however, the last published, and I think it shoes. It doesn't have as much maturity and refinement of her other books, but I love how much closer I feel to her as a reader. In the introduction the lady said she thought this was the most untouched by an editor and I kind of love that.
DeleteAs for a moral to the story, I don't know that there is one per say, I just think it was about the growth of a young woman. She did handle herself pretty well in a world she had no experience in, and she happened to fall in love and get married. I felt she grew up rather fast, but I think it also showed in each decision she made, and in each little discussion with herself.
For some reason I just loved this story, I really got into reading it, and felt like I was plopped in the fictional world.
If the editor of your edition is right in her thinking, that is kind of cool. You would be the closest to the author's actual intended work. Although, it does make me wonder about the publishing process and the refinements that an editor requests. I did read somewhere that someone thought the novel was originally written for the amusement of her family and to be read aloud by the fire. Apparently there are all these references to various Gothic novels, which are completely lost on me as have not read any (other than more modern ones).
ReplyDeleteHer voice, like you said, I do see as being fresh and untainted with. . . experience. :) I do like that too. It feels like you get to see her roots, her beginnings.
I wish I had been able to get into it as you did, but I couldn't. I kept looking at with a critical eye and didn't allow myself to get swept up in it. I wonder why.
Could have been you just weren't in the mood. I struggle when I really don't feel like that "type" of book.
DeleteI hope we love the Scarlet Pimpernel!
The "moral" of the story is that you have to live in the real world. Fantasy has it's place, but not in your life. Catherine has to grow up. I have read a couple of the novels she mentioned, so I loved that part. She takes the Gothic genre and turns it on its head. Henry Tilney is one of my fav characters of Austen's. I think you have to realize he's probably teasing. And I LOVE his dance/marriage analogy.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
DeleteI love the dance an marriage analogy, but I love the story he tells more. I can see that twinkle in his eye as he watches her squirm and try to tell herself that it won't be the case. I always figure you like someone when you tease them. :)
DeleteI loved the book!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Sarah, that you can feel close to the author as you read, and I did feel as though she were reading it to me as we sat by the fire. I liked the story, and I thought that the characters were interesting. I personally would marry Me Tilney over Mr Darcy! Though it feels like a betrayal to say that!
Mostly I loved her insights into human behaviour. The book was written over 100 years ago, and it just shows how little people have changed. For example;
"Mrs. Allen immediately recognized the features of a former schoolfellow and intimate, whom she had seen only once since their respective marriages, and that many years ago. Their joy on this meeting was very great, as well it might, since they had been contented to know nothing of each other for the last fifteen years"
Then in talking about Catherine agonising over which dress to wear;
" Woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone. No man will admire her the more, no woman will like her the better for it. Neatness and fashion are enough for the former, and a something of shabbiness or impropriety will be most endearing to the latter".
I could go on for awhile, but just one more;
"She was heartily ashamed of her ignorance. A misplaced shame. Where people wish to attach, they should always be ignorant. To come with a well-informed mind is to come with an inability of administering to the vanity of others, which a sensible person would always wish to avoid. A woman especially, if she have the misfortune of knowing anything, should conceal it as well as she can."
You were discussing Mr Tilney's teasing before, saying that it was very dry. Well, Austin's humour is very dry, and the previous quotes show. The British love dry humour the most :)
Yes!!! I agree with all your statements Esther! I love her sense of humor, and I love that you pointed out that not a whole lot has changed in the human character and dynamic. Those were awesome examples! High marks for Esther! =)
DeleteHaha, thanks Miss Jagger. Im happy that I had the push to read it. I'm making my way through Mansfield park now, though I miss the author's voice. It does feel more polished than Northanger Abbey.
ReplyDeleteLooking for to the next book!