Northanger Abbey

Northanger Abbey ( NOR-thang-ər), written by the English author Jane Austen, is a coming-of-age novel and a satire of Gothic novels. Although the title page is dated 1818 and the novel was published posthumously in 1817 with Persuasion, Northanger Abbey was completed in 1799. From a fondness of Gothic novels and an active imagination distorting her worldview, the story follows Catherine Morland, the naïve young protagonist, as she develops a better understanding of herself and the world around her. Based on the different styles and different references to Gothic novels, it is apparent that Austen wrote Northanger Abbey over the span of many years. Not until after her death was her brother finally able to obtain publication for the book. Once published, it received a mix of reviews. The novel covers a wide array of topics such as high society, Gothic fiction, bildungsroman, the value of reading, and the importance of time. This novel is considered to be more juvenile than her others. Throughout Northanger Abbey, Austen makes references to many different Gothic novels, most notably Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho. Northanger Abbey is credited for reviving interest in seven Gothic titles that had largely fallen into obscurity; the "horrid novels". There are also many references to Northanger Abbey in contemporary novels. It has been adapted for a number of films, television programmes, and stage plays.