Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Juliet Stevenson

Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

When Catherine Morland, a country clergyman's daughter, is invited to spend a season in Bath with the fashionable high society, little does she imagine the delights and perils that await her. Captivated and disconcerted by what she finds, and introduced to the joys of "Gothic novels" by her new friend, Isabella, Catherine longs for mystery and romance. When she is invited to stay with the beguiling Henry Tilney and his family at Northanger Abbey, she expects mystery and intrigue at every turn. However, the truth turns out to be even stranger than fiction.

©2006 Naxos AudioBooks (P)2006 Naxos AudioBooks

Did not enjoy

By far my least favorite Jane Austen novel. The characters were all very immature. The tone kept bouncing between a YA love story and mystery/horror. Not a fan.

The Charming Dangers of Reading too Many Novels

Northanger Abbey read by Juliet Stevenson was great fun: absorbing, witty, and even, strangely enough (for an anti-Gothic romance), suspenseful. Seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland is an appealing heroine: ex-tomboy, unaccomplished at the things a typical young lady of her era would be accomplished at (playing the piano, drawing, etc.), obsessed with Gothic romance novels, honest, good-natured, sensitive, innocent, and ignorant. Watching her mature through the course of her first experience away from home (first in Bath and finally from about half way through the novel in Northanger Abbey) into a greater awareness of the feelings and true nature of other people and of herself is satisfying.

And the reader, Juliet Stevenson, is wonderful! She brings the story to life, playing an experienced and wry narrator, as well as pleasurably capturing Catherine's innocent ohs, nos, and honesty, Isabella Thorpe's insincere effusions, John Thorpe's boorish boasting, and Henry Tilney's clever teasing and kind advice.

As some other listeners have said, Northanger Abbey is not up to the level of Jane Austen's best novels, but it humorously plays with the Gothic romance genre that was so popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, offers plenty of quotable lines, and, especially as read by Juliet Stevenson, makes a charming and enjoyable audiobook.

Awesome Austen Experience

Would you listen to Northanger Abbey again? Why?

Oh yes! And I have recommended it to my daughters to show them how important it is to avoid frivolously minded girlfriends.

What does Juliet Stevenson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Juliet Stevenson is my favorite female reader. I am in awe of her ability to portray such different characters in rapid succession. She brings a life and color to the characters that truly does enhance the experience of a book.

SO fun

Any additional comments?

Oh, Catherine Morland. I have such an affection for the silly, melodramatic girl. I feel like she is the original fangirl. Her obsession with fictional characters and worlds causes her so much embarrassment in real life. It's really cringe-worthy but also completely endearing. I'm surprised Northanger Abbey hasn't really had a modern adaptation yet, because it lends itself to it really well. Catherine feels like a normal 17-year-old. I adore Henry Tilney too. I love his sense of humour and lively spirits. I really like how Austen satirises novels and fiction while honouring them at the same time. It's a really, really fun book - as all of Austen's are!

Excellent narration

Juliet Stevenson does an excellent narration of Austen’s witty satire of gothic romance novels. Her plucky heroine may be over prone to imaginative fantasy, but she quickly sees the error of her ways, does not faint at the drop of a hat, and captivates one of my favorite Austen heroes, Henry Tilney.

Northanger Abbey is my favourite Austen novel

Would you consider the audio edition of Northanger Abbey to be better than the print version?

I wouldn't say it is better than the print version. It's the same great story, just delivered by a different medium. For example, if you currently loathe the thought of reading a print book, because you are a uni student who is exhausted by the idea of reading anything other than a Facebook status, and cannot bear physically destroying your eyeballs for a second longer... an audiobook is a glorious option. You can enjoy the things that you love, books and stories, whilst closing your tired and weary eyes, or while cleaning the house which you have neglected for another term paper, or while going for a long walk because procrastinating is the secret skill of students.
It is not better, it is different.
Equally pleasurable in its own unique way.

What other book might you compare Northanger Abbey to and why?

Other Jane Austen books... you either like them, or you don't. Comparing them to other books is not going to make an individual appreciate the glory that is Northanger Abbey.

What about Juliet Stevenson’s performance did you like?

I was actually surprised by how much I came to love Juliet Stevenson's performance. One of the things I loathe most about Jane Austen audiobooks is that they are narrated by hordes of dreary old women with affected accents. They are often ghastly.
For example, there is cinematic representation of Mrs Bennett, which is as expected, over the top - as a reader, I do not appreciate the screeching in an affected accent through my headphones.
I do appreciate differentiating between characters with different voices and accents, usually, but somehow in an Austen book, it's usually audiobook destroying (please see above example).
I will never understand why Austen novels are narrated by dying old women, when they are stories about vivacious young women.
However, at first I did not appreciate Juliet Stevenson, because as usual I thought her voice much to mature, but after two chapters she had gained my love and admiration, forever. She captures the wit an cynicism perfectly, even if she is a little bit middle aged, (respectable, not dying). She is properly perfect at narrating Jane Austen's most hilariously hilarious novel. You could literally visualise every raised eyebrow simply from the tone of her voice. JULIET STEVENSON IS A TRULY MAGICAL HUMAN BEING.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Jane Austen, taking the Mickey.

Any additional comments?

Northanger Abbey is the best Jane Austen novel.

Delightful!

Even at such a young age, Jane Austen did such a wonderful job of capturing the customs, morals, and characteristics of her time. She writes it in such a delightful and humorous way that is a joy to read (or listen to) in our day. Juliet Stevenson. is a pleasure to listen to and captures each character well.

Classic Romance

This is a fun listen. I enjoyed the “breaking of the fourth wall,” when the writer speaks directly to the reader. The story is silly, but good hearted. The narrator is excellent. I feel like I understood the sentiment better than perhaps I would have if I were reading. There are a lot of subtle nuances that are told well through her tone of voice.

A mild story, poorly read

Would you try another book from Jane Austen and/or Juliet Stevenson?

I enjoyed the book reasonably well enough, though it was no great adventure. The story itself is quite mild, and I found the heroine to be rather bland, more a foolish innocent than a classic romantic icon. Initially I did not think I would even be able to finish the story, as I was experiencing some frustration with the characters, and the way in which they were portrayed through the insipid narration. The Narration was quite simply, awful. I found myself at the start of each sitting wondering how long it would take for the story to unfold, and capture my imagination, diverting my attention from the lack lustre quality of the speech and the sameness of the characters who were each over played.

A funny book read by a comedic master.

I loved this reading by Juliet Stevenson. She is such a master of storytelling through voice and to pair her understanding of human quirks with Jane Austen's is a perfection.