Jane Austen Reviews

I saw a theatrical adaptation of Northanger Abbey. It was adapted for the stage by Tim Luscombe and directed by Theo Messenger.

I thought the adaptation was fabulous – bits of The Mysteries of Udolpho was mixed in and it seemed to cover all of the major plot points.

The play I saw an amateur production (this one) and it was obvious that the actors were nervous (I thought they were all great) – it took them a while to warm up and you could hear a bit of backstage noise and the costumes were dreadful – ill fitting, wrong style at times and crinkled. I know they don’t have a lot of money, but surely they could have altered the items to fit and what about using an iron? Having said all of that, it was a great evening’s entertainment.

Why is Northanger Abbey my least favourite Austen novel? I have been thinking about this for a few days.

Henry Tilney is charming and witty and the authorial voice is, at times, wickedly funny, …

Mrs Allen was one of that numerous class of females, whose society can raise no other emotion than surprise at their being any men in the world who could like them well enough to marry them.

Austen’s treatment of Catherine Morland is sympathetic – we as readers like her and want to follow her on her adventure to find a hero.

So, why despite all of its good points do I not like it as much as the other novels (even Mansfield Park).

I blame Catherine Morland she is no Elizabeth Bennet or Anne Elliot. She is young, inexperienced and a bit silly. This novel is as much a protest against the lack of female education as it is a love story.

Also, unlike other Austen novels (apart from Persuasion) there is no charming rake – no Henry Crawford, or Mr Willoughby – I like the rogues.

However, Henry Tilney and Isabella Thorpe are brilliant – is Isabella and early version of Lucy Steele?

From a social history point of view, I enjoyed the descriptions of day to day life in Bath – going to the pump room and the upper and lower rooms and the theatre.

I’m glad I read this again slowly and I hope there will be a group read of Udolpho (it’s the only way I think I’ll manage to read it).

Next Austen related book in my pile is The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet (by Colleen McCullough).

I bought a new edition of Northanger Abbey  – it was published by Cameron House (an imprint of Bookwise International). This is what it has on the back …

The complete text in a modern, readable typeface.

Four clear introductions by renowned Austen scholars.

A timeline in colour of Jane Austen’s world.

A colour map of Jane Austen’s England.

An illustrated section on Regency Bath.

A stylish embossed black jacket with an easy-to-use elastic closure.

It certainly looks nice …

I’m continuing to read Northanger Abbey (as part of Go Gothic month at Austenprose). Here are some more of my favourite bits …

He was a stout young man of middling height, who, with a plain face and ungraceful form, seemed fearful of being too handsome unless he wore the dress of a groom, and too much like a gentleman unless he were easy where he ought to be civil, and impudent where he might be allowed to be easy.

Chapter 7

On describing Miss Tileny

Her manners showed good sense and good breeding; they were neither shy, nor affectedly open; and she seemed capable of being young, attractive and at a ball, without wanting to fix the attention of every man near her, and without exaggerated feelings of extactic delight or inconceivable vexation on every little trifling occurrence.

Chapter 8

Catherine listened with astonishment; she knew not how to reconcile two such very different accounts of the same thing; for she had not been brought up to understand the propensities of a rattle, nor to know how many idle assertions and impudent falsehoods the excess of vanity will lead.

Chapter 9 

Woman is fine for her own satisfaction alone. No man will admire her the more, no woman will like her better for it.

Chapter 10

‘And such is your definition of matrimony and dancing. Taken in that light certainly, their resemblance is not striking, but I think I can place them in such a view. – You will allow, that in both, mann has the advantage of choicem woman only the power of refusal; that in both, it is an egagement between man and woman, formed for the advantage of each; and that when once entered into, they belong exclusively to each other till the moment of its dissolution; that it is their duty, each to endeavour to give no cause for wishing that he or she had bestowed themselves elsewhere, and their best interest to keep their own imaginations from wandering towards the perfection of their neighbours, or fancying they would have been better off with anyone else.’

Chapter 10

The above quote is fabulous. How many of us in today’s divorce prone society think it our duty ‘to give no cause for wishing that he or she had bestowed themselves elsewhere’?

 

 

I saw the last two episodes of Lost in Austen.

I thought it was fabulous and I’m sure Jane Austen would have approved – this is the author who wrote Northanger Abbey I’m sure she would appreciate a tongue in cheek look at her novels (or more particularly the adaptations).

Here are some more links …

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/tvandradioblog/2008/sep/02/lostinausten

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thecultureshow/2008/09/lost-in-austen.html

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article4819807.ece

 I’m still reading Northanger Abbey (up to chapter 5 now). Here are the bits I’ve loved so far …

On Mrs Allen meeting Mrs Thorpe (Chapter 4)

Their joy on this meeting was very great, as well it might since they had been contented to know nothing of each other for the last fifteen years.

On Catherine and Isabella’s relationship (Chapter 5)

Perhaps Catherine was wrong in not demanding the cause of that gentle emotion – but she was not experienced enough in the finesse of love, or the duties of friendship, to know when delicate raillery was properly called for, or when a confidence should be forced.

And of course the famous ‘defense of the novel’ quote (you can find here - scroll to the end of the chapter).

Well in the spirit of Go Gothic, I’ve started reading Northanger Abbey - just chapters one to three. I’ve forgotten how much I like it. I would say my favourite Austen is Emma, but Northanger Abbey has a really light touch. Here are some quotes I loved …

Her father was a clergyman, without being neglected, or poor, and a very respectable man, though his name was Richard – and he had never been handsome.

and

Mrs Allen was one of that numerous class of females, whose society can raise no other emotion than surprise at there being any men in the world who could like them well enough to marry them. She had neither beauty, genius, accomplishment, nor manner.

I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the novel.

I haven’t read any Northanger Abbey continuations or prequels – Are there any?

I have seen the latest BBC adaptation though and I really liked it.

I have just read on Austenprose that the reading schedule has changed we  now have longer to read The Mysteries of Udolpho (brilliant!).