Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Mary Sarah Agliotta

Length: 6 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

In Northanger Abbey, a young woman's penchant for sensational Gothic novels leads to misunderstandings in the matters of the heart. Austen's first, this is considered by many to be among her most charming novels.

Public Domain (P)2012 Trout Lake Media

Gothic Parody

In Northanger Abbey, the Gothic setting is in the very title of the novel. As Catherine approaches Northanger, “her impatience for a sight of the abbey... returned in full force... with solemn awe to afford a glimpse of its massy walls of grey stone, rising amidst a grove of ancient oaks, with its... high gothic windows.” However, Catherine’s expectations are met with disappointment as the abbey comes into view and she realizes that the Abbey has been modernized. This “struck her as odd and inconsistent.” Even the Gothic windows, which Catherine had heard were preserved, are not what she had expected. “To an imagination which had hoped for the smallest divisions, and the heaviest stone-work, for painted glass, dirt, and cobwebs, the difference was very distressing.” Her expectations from the fiction she has read of what Gothic architecture is contradicts the reality.

Catherine is repeatedly let down by her expectations. They are so wild and extravagant, like in the Gothic Romance she reads, that the stark difference between her expectations and reality is comical. This is Austen’s parody of Gothic tropes and it exemplifies her theme, the dangers of fantastical literature and their power of suggestion. Another Gothic convention is horror.

Instead of horror there are only mystery and suspense, the narrative precursors of horror. Henry teases Catherine on their way to Northanger Abbey, emphasizing her reading as he asks, “And are you prepared to encounter all the horrors that a building such as ‘what one reads about’ may produce?” He sarcastically continues to lead her on, drawing very well from the Gothic tropes that he knows Catherine is fond of reading, “We shall not have to explore our way into a hall dimly lighted by the expiring embers of a wood fire... gloomy passages... an apartment never used since some cousin or kin died in it... only the feeble rays of a single lamp... its walls hung with tapestry exhibiting figures as large as life, and the bed, of dark green stuff or purple velvet, presenting even a funereal appearance... Will not your heart sink within you?” Henry continues to josh Catherine and by the end of it Catherine humorously both asks him to stop and continue. “Oh! No, no -- do not say so. Well, go on.” Contradicting herself with an insatiably morbid curiosity.

In another example, fueled by her wild imagination and a thunderstorm, Catherine arrives in her room at Northanger Abbey suspecting the worst. However, all of her irrational fears are dashed by practical reasons. She anxiously inspects a chest in one corner, only to find a collection of old hats; there are frightening creaks and groans, but they are simply explained by the weather; and, after discovering papers within a cabinet that she expects to be a secretly hidden manuscript, she finds that it is merely a list of laundry and washing bills most likely left there by a maidservant.

In Northanger Abbey, there never is a horrifying reveal, but this is to the point. Instead of horrifying reveals, Austen rather creates moments of mystery and suspense that only hint at a horrifying reveal. In parody of the Gothic trope, these horrifying reveals comically fail to occur. The effect of this exemplifies Austen’s theme of how, instead of formulating rational reasonings, Catherine’s obsession with fantastical Gothic literature has made her highly susceptible to suggestion.

Gothic literature had become clichéd, and Jane Austen appropriates Gothic conventions in order to mock them. This parody then heightens the purpose and meaning of her novel, illustrating the folly of a quixotic obsession with fantastical literature that makes one susceptible to suggestion.

A Brand New World

What did you love best about Northanger Abbey?

As a first time listener of classical literature, I can only say that I was taken to a place in time which was new to me. What I liked best about the story was, being narrated the story. This made the classical literature much more interesting than my experiences previously in reading the print version. I also enjoyed Catherine in the story, I found myself relating to her innocent character, in some ways.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Catherine, the main character. I enjoyed her innocence and insightful comments, which amused me at times.

What does Mary Sarah Agliotta bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

This narrator brought the story back to that place & time in history in which it took place. Her voice & inflections helped with following the story, and made it much more enjoyable & engaging to me over reading the book. She had just the right voice for this story.

Any additional comments?

This story and narrator have inspired me to dig deeper into classical literature audio books.

Wonderful again!

I have seen this story in a movie but was delighted to hear the full story. The reader was exceptional and I enjoyed every minute.

Jane Austen is always good.

Jane Austen's novels are always well written and always provide hours of delicious entertainment. The narrator's performance was pleasing. Her voice was smooth and soothing. The story poked fun at Gothic romance, which was amusing as I love Gothic stories.

Austen's Gothic satire marred by mediocre reading

I very much like this book, so I was excited to find an audiobook of it. The preview recording seemed good enough, and I assumed it would be of the same caliber as the Pride and Prejudice audiobook I had finished a few days prior. However, I was disappointed to find that while, yes, this is the unabridged version of the book, the narrator spoke almost the entire time in her own cadence and tone. She did not differentiate between characters, so frequently it was hard to follow which character was speaking unless I paid very close attention to the context. It helped that I had read the book and seen the film adaptation a few times already.
I recommend this particular audiobook to people who have already read Northanger Abbey at least once, preferably twice, so that if you get distracted by something else while listening to essentially the same person talking to herself, then you won't miss much. Still, Austen is good enough storyteller that the lack of variance in the reading doesn't render the book boring. Just hard to listen to for long stretches.

Beautifully Jane Austen!!

What can one say about an Austen classic that has not been gushed before ... Nothing, other than listen again and again. As fresh today as when it was first in print in 1816.

Just Lovely

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

Yes. Listening to this book was very engaging, I really felt as though I was right there with the main character Catherine.

What does Mary Sarah Agliotta bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A soothing beautiful rhythm that takes you away to the time and place of the story.I was completely absorbed into the novel.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

It wasn't just one moment but more Catherine's anticipation for the dances in Bath and then going to Northanger Abbey,

Narrated talked too fast

Story good but hard to follow at speed. Juliet Stevens does various character voices and easier to follow

So Very Charming!

We never see now the subtle charm and wit of Austen and so delicately cut commentaries on fine society. This is a little masterwork!

my favorite Jane Austen book so far!!

This book kept my attention the entire time and I would get lost in the story. plenty of characters to love and hate with a side of mystery. Jane Austen best in my opinion.