Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen

Narrated by: Lynn Redgrave

This is Jane Austen's lighthearted lesson in what you get for reading too many gothic novels. It is a mark of the astonishing talent of the woman, however, that even a flippant swipe at the trashy reading of the day turned out to be an elegant if extremely funny classic.

Catherine Morland is another one of those Austen girls who, in spite of her gloriously ironic portrait as a romantic heroine in training, ends up being someone whose story you'd follow to the end of the world, or at least until the end of the book. And the villains and suitors of the piece somehow acquire those extra 16 layers that Austen cannot help herself from writing.

This is as blithe and merry a piece of gothic horror as you’ll get, and at the same time as you're grinning at the terrifying manuscript Catherine finds in her bedroom turning out to be the laundry lists, you’ll be delighting in the sheer brilliance of the first of Jane Austen's great novels.

Public Domain (P)2008 Silksoundbooks Limited

Fantastic narration!

Ms. Redgrave really hit the right tone for this delightful novel. I was very impressed with the different voices-- distinct and consistent. The male voices were very well done.

Disappointed

As a huge fan of Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice I was very disappointed with Northanger Abbey. Lynn Redgrave gave an incredible performance. I would surely read another book with her narration . But the storyline of this book kept me waiting and hoping for a more captivating storyline.

Entertaining!

I’d never read this Austen book and wow, what a ton of drama! Had me laughing AND rolling my eyes at times. But a fun, dramatic read and the reader was quite enjoyable to listen to!

Redgrave's spirited voice enlivens the reading.

Enjoyed Austen's early voice, particularly in her witty delivery. Vanessa Redgrave's performance swept me away.

Sorry but Ms. Redgrave is not up to this

I ordered this to compare to the Anna Lea adaptation read by Emma Thompson with a supporting cast which is FABULOUS! I've probably listened to that version more times than I know. Ms. Redgrave is wonderful when reading as the narrator but she falls short when she is speaking as one of the characters. Once I realized that Kathryn and Mrs. Allen sound almost the same and when she was "Henry Tilney" and sounded like an old man as this character I had to stop. I'll be requesting a return. If you haven't listened to Anna Lea's rendition you simply must purchase it right now.

Lovely book and narration

This is such a wonderful book and full of slight nuances that Lynn Redgrave brought to life. If you're a Jane Austen fan, or just want to listen to a Regency Era book, it'll be worth your time. Well done, Ms. Redgrave.

Love me some Jane!

Jane Austen has been a favorite author of mine since I was in junior high! this is a great narration of the unabridged version. The narrator does a wonderful job altering her voice for characters and bringing you into the story!

Very well read

This is my favorite Austen novel. There is sarcastic sort of humor throughout, and the narrator delivers it very well.

Outstanding narration

Lynn Redgrave is such a perfect narrator! While I liked the story, for me It was made more enjoyable by Redgrave’s reading.

Lynne Redgrave slays!

She does such an amazing job with both the make and female voices. Mr. Thorpe was my favorite of her voices (even though he's an abominable character)!