September '05 Book: Northanger Abbey

[Lady19thC]

Here is a fairly good list of the books Austen was referring to. Enjoy!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...432783-6910245

[Nightshade]

I started and have only read the first chapter Id forgotte how wonderfully sarcatic austen can be.

I read somewhere ages ago somthing about the title of NA and why it is specificlly different from all the others.

[shortysweetp]

well i finished it and of course i would recommend it because of my love of jane austen books but I do have to say that it wasnt one of my favorites of hers. I laughed a lot at her wit and sarcasm. I think the general is a hugh horse's arse for justing wanting her in his family for money and then throwing her out like that. The whole Thorpe family is spoiled brats which what you get when you have an overindulgent mother. As for Henry I believed that he was going to ask her to marry him since their walk at Bath. This novel was a little different writing style than the rest and really showed Austen's sarcasm of innocence, vanity and manners. I am glad I got to read it during my birthmonth thank you all that voted for it.

[Jay]

I'm really getting interested... sarcasm?

[Nightshade]

sure chapter one is a fantastic example, also P&P is filled with sarcasm but it s more veiled while here she's very obvious and upfront about it

[Scheherazade]

Next weekend, I will be visiting Austen's house, which is a museum: http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/

*does a happy dance*

[shortysweetp]

oh i soo envy you. I would love to go see it.
BTW nice quote.

[Nightshade]

just got to chapter 11 but will have to stop to go to work
Isabella is an extremly annoying person dont you think??
Also you know the 3 novels mentioned at the end of ch5 ( camilla cecila and Belinda???) Tuerns out Ive read Cecilia and Belinda.

[Darlin]

I'm having such a hard time getting past the first few pages. Maybe because I've read it before a long time ago. I don't know but is anyone else struggling with this? It could also be that I'm just not in a reading mood lately. Don't know why either. Odd.

[Nightshade]

Me im struggling to find the enthusiasm to go back and dfinish the book, but not the first chapter that was excellent

[Scheherazade]

I have to admit that the first couple of chapters of the book are a little verbose and preachy in tone;however, once Catherine goes to Bath, the story starts to unravel and it becomes quite a good read.

I have found an ariticle on Austen: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/4252094.stm

[NNoah3]

I finished reading it yesterday. I like it, at first I didn't like too much and I almost quit reading it but I continue and it was not a waste of time. Our "Heroine" had a lot of imagination. She was so naive believing in someone like Isabella.

[Darlin]

Good to know I'm not the only one that thinks it starts off slow. I've made it to Bath and shall attempt to finish it this weekend.

[Scheherazade]

Finally my long awaited pilgrimage to the Jane Austen House took place.

Unfortunately, we were not allowed to take photos but I got some postcards and a small guide, which I will post here.

[Scheherazade]

Front view of the house. The entrance door used to be more to the left:





West-view of the house and some part of the garden. The garden itself is very big with many flower/planets as well as vegetables. Apparently, the Austen family one of the first to grow potatoes in Britain, The door in view leads to the drawing room:





The piano is not the one which belonged to the Austens but from the same period. Austen spent many hours practising and was an accomplished player. No wonder in her novels she insists that ladies should be able to play the piano to be considered agreeable!





This is one of my favorite rooms in the house. It looked as if it was still lived in, waiting for the family to stroll in to have their dinner.





This small table and chair in the dining room used to be Austen's favorite spot to write her books. They are next to the window, looking at the street.





The fireplace in Austen's bedroom, which she used to share with her sister. The closet hides the bowl and the jug:





This patchwork quilt was made by Austen, her mother and sister while they were living in this house and all the material came from their own clothes:




-Austen was not only a good writer but also very good at sewing and needle work. There are many lace and embroidery samples around the house made by her.

-There are dresses on display which are worn by Keira Knightley, Matthew MacFadyen and Judi Dench in the latest Pride and Prejudice movie.

-Austen did not let anyone oil the door leading to upstairs and it kept creaking because she wanted to know when someone came upstairs so that she had time to hide her manuscripts.

-Two of her brothers were very successful sailor, one of which became an Admiral.