Welcome
Recently, I was surprised to learn that Northanger Abbey is one of the least popular of Jane Austen novels based on book sales. Oh my. It must be because they have not read it yet. I unabashedly adore it. Just the thought of being with heroine Catherine Morland as she discovers early nineteenth-century Bath with all its delights and diversions of dancing, shopping, taking the waters and socializing is enough to chase away any black cloud hovering over my day. Note: to all classical book buyers out there who pass over Northanger Abbey for other staid tried and true war horses like David Copperfield and Ivanhoe, get a life — live on the edge — and go Gothic with Catherine and Henry, you won’t regret it!
So why do I like Northanger Abbey? Hmm? Well, it makes me laugh, which I dearly love to do; it is a sassy burlesque which adds on more points in its favor; it was written by a youthful Jane Austen as a parody on the over dramatic and sensational Gothic fiction of her day; and it is so darn exuberant. It just screams youth, folly and fun: three things in my humble opinion that we can never have too much of.
One of the things that I love about blogging is that it is one of the few things in my life I have complete creative control over (accept my hair which is another story), and I can choose the content and tone. Admittedly, blogging about Jane Austen is a bit obscure, but I do it because she is my favorite novelist. When I have the opportunity to blog about my author of choice and about one of my favorite novels written by her, plus invite my friends and professional associates to join in the party as well, it does not get much better on the blogosphere.
Please note a few changes to the previously announced group reading schedule. On the advice of a good friend and college lit professor, regretfully I have been compelled to postpone the group read of The Mysteries of Udolpho that was schedule during Go Gothic. The book is huge at over 600 pages of fine print in my Oxford edition and should be read over a two month schedule, not the two weeks that I projected. Total miscalculation on my part and I apologize to any readers who rushed to purchase books, or dug them out of the attic! I agonized over the decision but on the positive side, it will give us more time to read Northanger Abbey, and I have adjusted the reading schedule accordingly.
And so gentle readers please join the celebration in progress here at Austenprose as we discover again the brilliance of Jane Austen’s novel Northanger Abbey with a group read, discussion, guest bloggers, and free giveaways. Enjoy!
Cheers, Laurel Ann
Go Gothic with Northanger Abbey: DAY 1 Giveaway
Oxford World’s Classics edition of Northanger Abbey
& Minor Works, by Jane Austen
Oxford University Press (2008). The new revised edition includes a full unabridged text, of Northanger Abbey, Lady Susan, The Watson’s and Sandition, an introduction by Claudia L. Johnson and loads of great supplemental material. A nice compact medium sized edition with informative and helpful appendixes, notes, bio and chronology on the author.
Leave a comment by October 30th to qualify for the free drawing on October 31st for one copy of Northanger Abbey & Minor Works (US residents only)
Upcoming event posts
Day 02 – Oct 2Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Group read NA Chapters 1-3
Day 03 – Oct 6Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Guest Blog –Â Amanda Grange
Day 04 – Oct 7Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Group Read NA Chapters 4-7
Day 05 – Oct 8Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â NA movies – Diana Birchall
Austenprose 
Thank you for making another book theme. I really want to join and I’m not from the US. So my question is, is mentioning that I’m not from the US one time good (like I’m doing now), or would you like me to put a “I’m not a US resident” disclaimer in every post I make?
Kira (“I’m not a US resident”)
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Thank you for doing another novel event!
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Recently (before “Go Gothic” was announced here at Austenprose) I had purchased The Italian, The Monk and The Mysteries of Udolpho thinking October would be the perfect time to look at some of the novels mentioned in NA and revisit NA itself. So, I am very excited to be going gothic here with Austenprose! I look foward to the group read, discussions, getting new insights and the guest bloggers.
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I really can’t understand why Northanger Abbey is so unpopular, either. It is absolutely my favorite JA novel to read (but don’t tell Mr. Darcy, he thinks I just adore Pride & Prejudice above all else). Northanger Abbey was the first Austen book that I actually read all the way through, and I just loved it from the first moment. I think this is a great time for me to reread it!
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Here via Austen Blog. How fun to read Northanger Abbey in October! I have the graphic novel of gothics that includes Northanger Abbey in my amazon shopping cart thinking that would be appropriate October reading! I’ll read along with you, too!
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I’m ready. I loved Northanger Abbey.
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How diverting!!! I’ll join in having just finished reading Persuasion last week and starting Pride & Persuasion earlier this week (before I heard about all your fun). Now, the only decision is, do I finish P&P, or just leave Mr. Darcy hanging on in suspense? If I read both at the same time, I’m afraid the family won’t have food or clean clothes…
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I’d love to be entered. I’m quite excited that I discovered this project just in time to join in!
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I admit to having been slightly daunted when my copy of Udolpho arrived. I will still read it, as I never have, but at a more leisurely pace.
I am excited to pick up Northanger Abbey again, as I haven’t read it since High School, and my memory of it is a little vague. Thank you for providing the impetus needed to finally pick this one off my to-do list.
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I agree that I’ve always found Northanger Abbey to be simply a fun read. I’m looking forward to re-reading it!
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I too love Northanger Abbey. For sentimental reasons (first Austen novel I read, main character I identify with the most, etc.), it is my favorite Austen novel (though Persuasion, for exquisite writing, is a close second). I’m looking forward to your month-long event! :)
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I’ve never read Northanger Abbey, but I’d love to. I’ve got a lot of books on my plate right now, so I can’t participate, but I’ll be following the blog!
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I’m relatively new to Jane Austen! Just finished P&P last week and am thrilled to have a “community” to read NA with!
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i always wonder if a lot of people don’t quite “get” northanger abbey because they aren’t familiar with the style being parodied. i know that once i mentioned that to a friend, she had a whole new approach to it. i’ll be very interested to see how others who have never read it feel about it.
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I love NA too! And boy, do I love me some Henry! :) I’m so glad I stumbled by in time to participate!
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O boy I was going to read The Mysteries of Udolpho but I’m just wrapping up a over 700 page tome and may give those types of books a break. But I just read Northanger Abbey but don’t have a copy myself. Thanks for the giveaway!
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Ooh, Northanger Abbey for the month of October, with Halloween and active imaginations, it just seems so appropriate!
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I would love to be entered! Thank you for the giveaway!
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Just found this blog today, how exciting! Definitely will be joining in.
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I too am excited for a month of reading Northanger Abbey! I read NA several years ago and have forgotten much of it. Though not the charming Mr. Tilney!
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I would love to join in this reading group – am a big fan of Jane Austen and Northanger Abbey would have to be my favourite novel of hers after Persuasion.
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Wow! Six *hundred* pages? Six hundred?! It makes Mansfield Park look like a little runt of a book, and NA like hardly anything at all! I don’t know if I’m ready for that yet…but I’ll definitely read NA this month!
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Hi Kira, thank you for your question. To clarify, anyone and everyone can join the discussion on any of the posts, US residents or anywhere. When it comes time to claim prizes, to qualilfy you would need to be a US resident for shipping purposes.
Cheers, Laurel Ann
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I definitely want to read Udolpho! Even at 600 pages, I hear it’s very diverting. :)
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I read the first sentences and was shocked. Least popular! It has to be my favorite after P&P. I’m glad to see I’m not alone here!
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I am ready. Never read this one before, so I am excited. Count me in. Much love, Raquel XO
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I can’t believe that northanger abbey is the least popular! I love this book! it is second only to pride and prejudice. I love how, although it’s a parody, I can still get wrapped up into the gothic story line.
but i have never read the myseteries of udolpho, this seems like the perfect opportunity to finally read the book that catherine was so crazy about!
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Katie, when I get to read it, I hope it also becomes a fav.
Laurel Ann, thanks again for having a great topic.
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“The Mysteries of Udolpho” by Ann Radcliffe is available to read on-line and download:
http://ebooks.adelaide.edu.au/r/radcliffe/ann/udolpho/complete.html
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Hello to all Go Gothicites, so glad to see you all joining in on the group read and other celebrations. Your participation is a great reward for all my work. We have a great line up of guest bloggers too, so please continue to return for all the great Austen fun and giveaways.
Cheers, Laurel Ann
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I’m definitely going to Go Gothic this month! Count me in for the readalong (and the giveaways, of course…)
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Can’t believe NA is less popular the MP (which I liked, as I like all things Jane Austen, but certainly not as much as NA).
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I have found that the book is not well stocked in many bookstores, at least when I go looking for it! Last time I read it online, and it just isn’t the same….
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I’m joining in! Listening to this on the computer – I found it at the Library-to-Go site. I’m LOVING it so far! I can’t believe it’s the least favorite either…
Looking forward to it!
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Thaank you for sponsoring this event. I have seen Northanger Abbey on PBS but had never read it. i am finding Austen’s prose very witty and engaging.
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I’m so happy I found this site. I’d like to enter the drawing.
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Introduction by Claudia Johnson…terrific! Saw her at the AGM and she was brilliant! I think NA is a wonderful read…but I think you need to read it more than once to truely appreciate it.
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Absolutely gorgeous blog! Please enter me in your drawing.
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I can’t believe I missed the first post! I confess it was last on my list for the Austen novels, but your reading schedule has made it a book I can’t put down now! This has been really enjoyable – thank you for all your hard work!
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I adore Northanger Abbey. It is funny and smart and features one of Jane Austen’s best heroes. Imagine my surprise when I looked at my bookshelf and realized I don’t have a copy of the book. Apparently, I lent a copy out which was never returned.
Please do enter me to win a copy!
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