Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Mary Sarah Agliotta

In Northanger Abbey, a young woman's penchant for sensational Gothic novels leads to misunderstandings in the matters of the heart. Austen's first, this is considered by many to be among her most charming novels.

Public Domain (P)2012 Trout Lake Media

reader hard to follow

reader does not differentiate voice for different characters making dialogue sometimes confusing for understanding who might be speaking at the time.

Always a classic. Terrible narration though.

Northanger Abbey is one of my favorite Austen novels. I grabbed the audible version so I could listen on my way to work. It was hard to follow because the narrator used the same tone, speed through the whole book. It sounded like when you are being forced to read a paragraph in school and try to get through it fast as possible.

performance was poor

the performance was pretty poor. hardly inflection at the right moments and not many differences between characters voices that it made it harder to enjoy.

Peculiar accent.

It was read too fast and with a rather peculiar accent. I love the story, but was not too impressed by the reader.

Excellent

Austen develops the characters and draws you into their lives. Makes you question the motives of people as they affect others lives. Great book and well read by Agliotta.

Austen's Cold Bath or Austen's City Limits

This was an early, minor work of a literary giant. Northanger Abbey was a pleasant parody, but didn't have much narrative momentum. Certain devices were executed well enough (direct address, discussion of novels, etc) and Austen's ability for dialogue, social maneuverings, social criticism and gothic intricacies must have been womb-developed since they already seem mature with this her first competed (although it was also her last published) novel.

Northanger Abbey was, along with Persuasion, published posthumously. Both novels centered on society in Bath, but NA just didn't have the chops of Austen's final novel (Persuasion). So while they both tend to bookend her writing career, they are uneven bookends for sure.

I've experienced enough Austen now to know that it isn't the social romance novel that I'm reacting too, just a novel that isn't fully formed. Perhaps, I am just put off by NA's uncanny valley of the full-bore, more natural, later, better Jane Austen.

Wonderful story horrible audio

What did you like best about Northanger Abbey? What did you like least?

The story was classic Jane Austin, the story brought me back to my visit to Bathe. The audio was so bad it seemed to be at a very fast speed, and would at times sound like it was sped up to double speed. The audio also cracked through out. It was very quite or rating.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Northanger Abbey?

When Catherine went to Northangsr Abbey and the way Henry teased her.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Try the story with a differnt narrator.

Jane Austen is lovely; narrator is not up to par

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I had to read this book for a class; usually I struggle with classics so I listen along with them as I read. However, I found this book much more enjoyable without the narration.

What other book might you compare Northanger Abbey to and why?

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. They both tell the day-to-day experiences about a certain character, but sometimes delving into other characters as the author sees fit.

How could the performance have been better?

The narrator does not have a sense for this parody; she is disconnected emotionally and doesn't recognize the humor.

Do you think Northanger Abbey needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It does not need a follow-up book. It is a mock of the Gothic novel and does not need to be extended in any matter.

Any additional comments?

Jane Austen is a genius for literature; she uses amazing language and structure. She is very aware.
They should have picked a better narrator for Northanger Abbey. Mary Sarah Agliotta almost ruins the experience.

Audio skipped several times

I wonder if these were uploaded from CDs with small blemishes. The audio skipped several times and rushed several times. Thankful I have read the book, so I did get lost. But it was unexpected from any audible book.

Well-written, very well-read. Not my cup of tea.

Where does Northanger Abbey rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It was not my taste, but it is a very excellent audio book. For me, it is last place among my likes.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have liked more of a climax woth what happens with the characters and events.

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene when the main character is lied to and wronged.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Elegancy is overrated.

Any additional comments?

I love the narrator!