Book completed

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Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen. My favorite Austen book! I always wonder why it’s not more appreciated among Austen readers, but I have two theories. One, it’s a humorous satire of Gothic romances, and I suppose most Austen fans aren’t looking for satire (or, perhaps, don’t care for the various references to books they haven’t read – but I haven’t read them either, and I don’t mind). Two, the heroine, Catherine, is rather younger and more naïve than most Austen heroines – but of course she grows up over the course of the book. And she’s definitely a good person, despite her overactive imagination. The thing is, the male lead, Henry Tilney, is clearly the most likeable of all of the Austen heroes – the one that surely most readers would actually prefer to end up with themselves. He has a sense of humor! He says what’s on his mind, kindly and openly! None of the other Austen men can live up to the standard set by Henry Tilney. Northanger Abbey is brilliant and lovely. (Also, I adore the Andrew Davies adaptation.)