Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
And the next book by Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey (in German Die Abtei von Northanger, in French Northanger Abbey) I read it in German where it contained 296 pages. Girls (and boys) 14+. Preferably with "experiences" in reading books of that time. Originally published 1817.
Catherine Moorland is a heroine. She doesn't know it, and never will, but which heroine does? As one of ten children of a very plain and naive family, she has no idea what hits her when she visits Bath with her neighbours. Charmed by her new very best friend, Isabella, and the highly intellectual Henry Tilney, she stumbles from one chaos to another – most of her problems triggered by Isabella's annoying brother, who wants to marry Catherine and exaggerates everything to the point of lying... Which ends up in a bunch catastrophes and clears Catherine's way to never-ending happiness.
Very nicely done. In this book, Jane Austen basically makes fun of everything: The society, books, characters and romances. I couldn't stop laughing. But still she manages to make the book tense and realistic. I like it.
Especially Catherine's naiveté is very well done. And how she's mocked by the narrator. It's soooo funny! And I can totally understand her love for books and her confusion with reality. I guess that happens lots of humans her age who love books – or films.
Henry is very nice as well. I like how he makes fun of everything the narrator doesn't, how he has insight on the characters and how he grows to like Catherine.
The relationship between Isabella and Catherine is very well done, too. I love Isabella's exaggerating which is only topped by Isabella's brother. Oh my God, how can they even believe themselves? But it's funny to watch – or read – how they are being ridiculous while trying to set themselves into the right kind of light. Well, it is when you're not involved.
The oh-so-romantic relationship between Edward and Isabella is gorgeous, even though I'm sorry for Edward. Really, that poor boy! Naiveté seems to run in the family.
The neighbours of Catherine's are nicely described as well, especially the wife's obsession with clothes. And how she tries to best this old friend of hers, just with the argument to have the nicer dress. It's cool.
In brief:
One star for style, one for ideas, one for character, one for content and the SoGH one for the irony.