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Northanger Abbey

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About this listen

As Jane Austen's first completed novel that was submitted to be published, Northanger Abbey is a miraculously weaved tale of love, society, and deception, themes that would come to be synonymous in literature with Austen's name. The young Catherine Morland receives a fantastic opportunity to explore the city of Bath with some family friends, and while there, she experiences a level of mental and emotional growth that was as yet unparalleled in her life. She is introduced to the socialites of the town by her friend Isabella, and meets a charming young man named Henry, who she wishes to marry. Yet when Catherine's brother and Isabella's brother - who are university friends - come to visit the two young women, trouble begins to brew as emotions begin to emerge.

As Catherine and her love interest Henry grow closer, there are various tensions which arise when others threaten to come between them, and as is common with Jane Austen's novels, money and social status constantly loom over the decisions that these characters make. Despite a brief period in which it seems that Catherine's dreams have gone by the wayside, her plans at happiness eventually come to fruition, as she discovers who truly had her best interests at heart.

Public Domain (P)2015 A.R.N. Publications Classics Emotions Heartfelt
All stars
Most relevant
Not enjoying the narration. Disappointing. Great story. There must be better versions of this on Audible. I did get it on offer.

Not enjoying the narration

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What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better narration. Sadly this was stilted and the language didn't flow well at all, which made it an effort to listen to. Even if the language is old fashioned, it can become accessible with good narration. I just had the sense that words were being read rather than a story told.

What did you like best about this story?

Classic Jane Austen

Who might you have cast as narrator instead of Harriet Stevens?

Lindsay Duncan - I enjoyed her reading of Pride and Prejudice

You didn’t love this book--but did it have any redeeming qualities?

I like the story and did like listening to it; it could just have been much more enjoyable.

Disappointing narration

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