NORTHANGER ABBEY was the first of Jane Austen's novels to be completed
for public¬cation, though she had previously made a start on Sense and
Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. According to Cassandra Austen's
Memorandum, Susan (as it was first called) was written circa 1798-99.
Seventeen-year-old Catherine Morland is one of ten children of a country
clergyman. Although a tomboy in her childhood, by the age of 17 she is
"in training for a heroine" and is excessively fond of reading Gothic
novels, among which Ann Radcliffe's Mysteries of Udolpho is a favourite.
Catherine is invited by the Allens, her wealthier neighbours in
Fullerton, to accompany them to visit the town of Bath and partake in
the winter season of balls, theatre and other social delights. Although
initially the excitement of Bath is dampened by her lack of
acquaintances, she is soon introduced to a clever young gentleman, Henry
Tilney, with whom she dances and converses. Much to Catherine's
disappointment, Henry does not reappear in the subsequent week and, not
knowing whether or not he has left Bath for good, she wonders if she
will ever see him again. Through Mrs. Allen's old school-friend Mrs.
Thorpe, she meets her daughter Isabella, a vivacious and flirtatious
young woman, and the two quickly become friends. Mrs. Thorpe's son John
is also a friend of Catherine's older brother, James, at Oxford where
they are both students. James and John arrive unexpectedly in Bath.
While Isabella and James spend time together, Catherine becomes
acquainted with John, a vain and crude young gentleman who incessantly
tells fantastical stories about himself. (more on:
www.wisehouse-classics.com)
