December Reviews

For someone who delayed picking up an actual Jane Austen novel until well after university, people have thought of me as liking that kind of thing. I grew up on VHS tapes of Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice. As there are only 6 precious novels to devour I am almost glad that I accidentally held off until now to slowly get through them.

I have been gifted many Jane Austen treats over the years. A themed colouring book, a little book of quotes, a quill and ink set, and others. However, last year for my birthday a friend happened to be in a second hand book shop and saw a double edition of Persuasion and Northanger Abbey, the two I am reviewing today. It was a small old fashioned edition that made me feel I ought to be wearing gloves to read it. Not because the book was delicate but because it makes me imagine reading it on a long carriage ride from London to Bath. *dreamy look*

Only negative to reading this gorgeous book was that I crossed two off the list at once. Only Mansfield Park left to go.

Northanger Abbey
Jane Austen
3/5
1818 Hardback

It is clear from the first that Catherine Morland is going to be tumbled about on the tide of society, by people who are much better at navigating than she is. Perfectly innocent ready to be outraged and confused by the society world of Bath. And that is exactly what happens. I wonder if Austen wanted us to collectively roll our eyes for Catherine.
The story follows her and her adventure as a companion to Bath where she meets her first men. I think it is key to remember that the heroine is 15 at the time! I enjoyed the story it's definitely a tumble and seems to work itself out in the end, but feels a little less sophisticated than her later books. It's almost too complicated.
Overall though, I did enjoy reading this lovely book but it is definitely an early work and not one of my favorites.

Persuasion
Jane Austen
4/5
1818 Hardback

As I creep closer to the spinsterish age of 27 I am relating pretty hard to Anne, also 27 in the story. Known to have missed her chance at love at 19 she is resigned to being the best person she can be for her family and friends. She is generous and caring and a stark contrast to her elder sisters and father who are frivolous and stuck up. When that love interest returns to her world it is almost too awkward to bare.
I loved persuasion more than I thought I would. I think I saw a movie adaptation of it and I found Anne so restrained and difficult to watch. However, in the reading of it, I got much more of an insight into her inner turmoil. The book also handles the past and its events better than the films do. For much of the movie I wasn't sure what the problem was.
Austen's last work is clearly well put together and heartfelt. This one is coming in a solid 3rd place behind Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility, with Emma in 4th and Northanger Abbey in 5th.