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The visions of romance were over. Catherine was completely awakened. Henry's address, short as it had been, had more thoroughly opened her eyes to the extravagance of her late fancies than all their several disappointments had done. Most grievously was she humbled. Most bitterly did she cry. It was not only with herself that she... Continue Reading →
It was a narrow winding path through a thick grove of old Scotch firs; and Catherine, struck by its gloomy aspect, and eager to enter it, could not, even by the general's disapprobation, be kept from stepping forward. He perceived her inclination, and having again urged the plea of health in vain, was too polite... Continue Reading →
It is believed that Jane Austen wrote many of her first works for the entertainment of her family and would read them aloud for their opinions and enjoyment. It is not hard to imagine that Northanger Abbey was presented to her family in this manner. The language and phrasing lends itself so freely to the... Continue Reading →
"Nay, my beloved, sweetest friend," continued the other, "compose yourself. I am amazingly agitated, as you perceive. Let us sit down and talk in comfort. Well, and so you guessed it the moment you had my note? Sly creature! Oh! My dear Catherine, you alone, who know my heart, can judge of my present happiness.... Continue Reading →
At half past twelve, when Catherine's anxious attention to the weather was over and she could no longer claim any merit from its amendment, the sky began voluntarily to clear. A gleam of sunshine took her quite by surprise; she looked round; the clouds were parting, and she instantly returned to the window to watch... Continue Reading →
To be disgraced in the eye of the world, to wear the appearance of infamy while her heart is all purity, her actions all innocence, and the misconduct of another the true source of her debasement, is one of those circumstances which peculiarly belong to the heroine's life, and her fortitude under it what particularly... Continue Reading →
The true misfortune, which besets any young lady who believes herself destined for fortune and favour, is to find that she has been born into an unsuitable family. Lydia Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire, not only believed that her mama and papa had most likely stolen her from noble parents, but also considered it a small... Continue Reading →
No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born to be a heroine. Her situation in life, the character of her father and mother, her own person and disposition, were all equally against her. The Narrator, Chapter 1 Quick Synopsis Catherine Morland the unlikely heroine lives a pretty... Continue Reading →
"but are they all horrid, are you sure they are all horrid?" Welcome, and get ready to Go Gothic with Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. Please join us as we investigate the humour, romance, and spooky undertones in Jane Austen's novel Northanger Abbey, a parody on the Gothic fiction that was so popular within her lifetime.... Continue Reading →
The Austen book sleuth is happy to inform Janeites that Austen inspired books are heading our way in October, so keep your eyes open for these new titles. Jane Austen: An Illustrated Treasury, Rebecca Dickson If any readers are familiar with the popular Dragonolgy or Wizardology children's books that feature an illustrated and inter-active insider's... Continue Reading →
She knew herself that sometimes she overstepped the proper boundries and could only do so safely with me. In later years, when she wrote something particularly scandalous she would urge me, ‘Take the scissors to this at once.' She was right to surmise that others might judge her comments more harshly, but with me she... Continue Reading →
The third book in the Pemberley Chronicles series, Netherfield Park Revisted by Rebecca Ann Collins has just been released by Soucebooks this month. In this continuation of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the story starts in 1859, Queen Victoria has reigned for twenty-two years, England has undergone an industrial revolution and is one of the most... Continue Reading →
