Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Nadia May

Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

Jane Austen's first major novel, a parody of the popular literature of the time, is an ironic tale of the romantic folly of men and women in pursuit of love, marriage, and money. The humorous adventures of young Catherine as she encounters "the difficulties and dangers of a six weeks' residence in Bath" lead to some of Austen's most brilliant social satire.

There is Catherine's hilarious liaison with a paragon of bad manners and boastfulness; her disastrous friendship with an unforgettably crass coquette; and a whirl of cotillion dances with their timeless mortifications. A visit to ancient Northanger Abbey, the ancestral home of the novel's handsome hero, excites the irrepressible Catherine's hopes of romance amid gothic horrors. But what awaits her there is a drama of a different kind, in this most youthfully exuberant and broadly comic of Jane Austen's works.

©1818 Public Domain (P)1995 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Very enjoyable!

The narrator was very good and I was stuck in throughout. I feel that the story ended a little quicker than I'd hoped it would be wrapped up, but very good all the same!

Enjoyed it

I initially started another recording of Northanger Abbey, butI just could not get through it. So I switched to this narration and started the book all over. I am glad I did. It is not the perfect performance, but much better and more enjoyable to listen to. Recommended.

unabridged! excellent and hilarious

This was my first time reading Northanger and I had no idea how Funny it was! The story is about a young (17) innocent girl who loves reading gothic novels - think dark academia horror. She's a sweetheart with a wild imagination. This is her first trip away from home and she's going to find out just how similar (or not) the world is to her literary standards.
I feel like Northanger hits home for those of us who have been avid readers of the rest of Austen's material and find ourselves comparing our realities to her various and sundry romantic literary notions. Austen uses meta humor to ground us all.
If you've not read any other works in this genre (regencyish romance), save this for later. It's probably even better enjoyed by those who also have read some gothic horror. When you do get to it- it's fantastic.
I laughed, I cried, I cringed then laughed some more.

Nadia May is superb in her voicing of all the characters for this book. Also, the recording itself is apparently from 95?! I'd never have known. You can feel the editing cuts if you're looking for them, but it's not uncomfortable. Highly Recommend.

Not my favorite Austen but amusing and funny.

Not my favorite Austen novel, but it was funny and amusing. I liked how Austen broke the 4th wall and spoke to her readers about "my heroine."

I did like Catherine's wild imagination about Northanger Abbey. It was amusing to see how silly she got. The title is deceiving. Most of the story takes place in Bath.

Henry Tilney is a good guy but very little is seen of his romance with Catherine. So I don't ship them like I do Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.

P&P and Emma are still my top favorites but I don't know how I would rank NA with S&S and Persuasion.

3 out of 5 Pump Rooms.

Nadia May is Superb..

Nadia May did a splendid job bringing Austin's characters to life. The satire and language expressing it are hallmarks of Austin's, of course, and the pace, voices and intonations are spot on and very entertaining.

My favorite version

I much preferred this narration of Northanger Abbey compared to the Anna Massey's narration, who didn't do a bad job just there was one specific character that came out as super annoying due to her doing a nasal voice. Nadia May on the other hand narrates the story much better.

I love this book and Nadia May!

I’ve always loved Northanger Abbey and regard it as one of Austin’s wittiest novels. Nadia May has been one of my favorite narrators since listening to her rendition of Adam Bede and this narration is par for the course for her as well!

Hilarious and delightful

This pokes fun at gothic romances and other contemporary styles in a really hilarious way. Readers already familiar with early 19th century modes and tropes will get the most out of this silly marriage plot. I laughed out loud—moments were just so ridiculous (in a good way) and predictable (in a tongue-in-cheek way).

Austen at her satirical best

Northanger is not as profound or moving as Emma, Pride, or Sense but it is by far the funniest and most bitingly satirical of Jane Austin's books. Lovers of Gothic novels will live this take on the genre. Narrator Nadia May is exquisite as always.

My new favorite Jane Austen. Genuinely funny!

The reader really brings the humor and sarcasm to Ms. Austen's narration. Catherine is loveable and adorably bumbling