Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen
Genre: Romantic/historic literature

This was Jane Austen's earliest novel, though it was published posthumously. Definitely not on par with her most famous and celebrated work, Pride and Prejudice. But nonetheless, this was a fun read. Finished it in Mauritius, while staying at the deluxe Maritim hotel!!

Catherine Morland is the deserving female heroine of the novel. During her first outing away from home, she stays in Bath, the vacation capital of England, with Mr. and Mrs. Allen. They are a well-to-do, but not excessively rich, childless couple.During an outing to the Pump room, Catherine meets Mr. Henry Tilney, the love interest of this novel. In Bath, she also engages in close confidence with Miss Isabella Thorpe, a beautiful, prideful and vain young lady. Being a few years older, she takes the unpretentious, honest Catherine under her wing, and shows her the ways of a young lady in the social circles. Eventually, Catherine is invited by the Tilney family to visit Northanger Abbey, on the premise that Catherine would be a good match (financially speaking) to the upper class Tilneys. She is thrown out as soon as her false repuation is uncovered but true love will finally conquer all.

The main attraction of this novel is Austen's description of the social norms of the era. The plot is single threaded and somewhat predictable, but it is a light, enjoyable quick read!