Welcome to Litsy!

Revisited Northanger Abbey this weekend as part of my Austenian August celebrations.

Via audiobook this time, but still followed by a viewing of the 2007 film adaptation.

JJ Feild really is perfect as Henry Tilney.

And Henry Tilley is perfect.

#Dancing My favorite Austen dance scenes happen in this one. #BookBinge @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Hey all, just wanted to share that I'm presenting at Virtual JaneCon this year!! It's 100% free, fan run and should be lots of fun, so watch along July 15-16 if you're interested!

Here's the link to the schedule: https://virtualjanecon.com/virtualjanecon-2023/

#pemberlittens #virtualjanecon #janeausten

#PemberLittens
#Preorder volume TWO of Jane Austen‘s works!

Includes books:
Emma
Northanger Abbey
Persuasion
Lady Susan
The Watsons
Sanditon
Complete Juvenilia

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-complete-jane-austen-collection-jane-austen...

Another classic.

No one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy would have supposed her born to be an heroine. Her situation in life, the character of her father and mother, her own person and disposition, were all equally against her.
#NorthangerAbbey #JaneAusten #firstline #openingline #book #books #bookart #bookartist #bookattitude #bookaholic #bookaholics #Classics #Fiction #Romance #Gothic #HistoricalFiction #Literature #19thCentury #Historical 💕

#NorthangerAbbey #JaneAusten #book #books #epicreads #bookend #bookends #bookending #bookendings #bookedit #bookedits #bookeditor #read #bookrecommendation #bookrecommendations #recommendation #recommendations #bookreport #bookreports #bookreview #bookreviews #bookriot #booktattoo #booktree #bookthief #booktopia #booktoday #bookyourself #bookunion #Classics #Fiction #Romance #Gothic #HistoricalFiction #Literature #19thCentury #Audiobook 💜💜💜💜💜

Of course, my favorite book in October was Northanger Abbey…this time rereading it with the #PemberLittens . Austen‘s ode to the gothic novel, told with her style of satire, is charming and fun to read. #12BooksOf2022

It took me too long to finally finish this book. If only I had kept up with the #pemberlittens! This was my least enjoyable Austen read. I do think it was because I was reading too many books at the same time. In the beginning, I was appreciating the humor, but later, nothing was amusing me. Catherine Morland did not capture my fancy,and it all seemed too contrived. I realize it was her first novel. I loved all the promenades in Bath,and fashion.

This is the 4th time I‘ve read this novel. I don‘t know what to say other than that I enjoy it more each time I read it.

I love the heroes more and hate the villains more too.

Now I have to read some of Austen‘s other work again too, since this can‘t be the only book of hers I‘ve read 4 times.

#PemberLittens
Thanks for hosting again @sprainedbrain As always wonderful

This was my first time reading this one and I really enjoyed it! The characters were larger than life and the story was sarcastic and fun. I listened to the audible full cast production which was very good (love Emma Thompson) but it was a bit abridged. Next time I'll have to read the original to get all the full descriptions and conversations.
#Pemberlittens thanks @sprainedbrain for hosting 😊
#Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious

Read with the #PemberLittens #chapteraday for October, it is maybe my 6th or 7th reread & remains my #3 behind P&P, then Persuasion. I love the humor & romance & Austen‘s most likable/swoonable clergyman, Henry Tilney 💜 Good gothic October fun & a bit surprisingly, it netted me 193 #Scarathlon2022 #ScarathlonWordSearch words for an extra 1930 points for #TeamMonsterMash (132 goods!) 👻
Read for part or all of the below readathons & bingos 😘

Really enjoyed reading this alongside #Pemberlittens A firm favourite of mine, mainly due to the relentless teasing in the rise of gothic fiction. Great characters, irritating villans and minute detailing of the historical period.

I think this was my third reread of Austen‘s satirical nod to the gothic novel. It‘s fun, with some pretty unlikeable characters, and an unsuspecting heroine who finds happiness in the end. Thanks to #PemberLittens for a month of reading!

I believe this is my fourth reading of Northanger, and it‘s still tied (with P&P) for my second favorite Austen. So witty and funny, gently poking fun at gothic novels of her time, filled with characters you can‘t help but love (Catherine, Henry, Eleanor, the Allens) and characters you really can‘t stand (the Thorpes, the other Tilneys). As is always the case with Austen, her characters seem timeless and real.

And, just so romantic.😍

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#Pemberlittens

Ch 31: Henry & Catherine have to endure a tense, slightly lengthy engagement because the General is a big jerk, but soon Eleanor secures marriage to a wealthy, titled man (whom she also loves—bonus!) & convinces the General to relent. As it‘s also learned that the Morlands aren‘t totally destitute, he gives his consent, & our darling couple are married within a year of first meeting.

I‘m going with ‘reward filial disobedience.‘😉

This was my first time reading Northanger Abbey and I loved it. So funny with great, annoying villains and a perfect hero and heroine. Huge thanks to @sprainedbrain for leading the #pemberlittens read through!

Henry Tilney has regained his place as my favorite Austen hero 😍

…until I reread Emma, probably! 😂

#PemberLittens

Finished our #Pemberlittens read this morning. Northanger is one of my favorite Austens! I‘ll always love Catherine‘s guilelessness, and the villains are deliciously fun to hate! I also love it when #chapteraday reads work out to exactly the length of the month :) #Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks #Spookoween2022 @TheSpineView #31by31 @Catsandbooks #PointsAThon @dieareader @GHABI4ROSES #20in4 @Andrew65

#Pemberlittens

Ch 30: Catherine has been home for two days and has been fairly useless in her melancholy. Her mom has just about had enough, but when she leaves to grab a self-help book for her, she returns to find Henry Tilney has arrived.😍 Henry is full of apologies and gets Catherine alone to profess his love and propose. Turns out freaking Thorpe made the General think Catherine was rich, and when he found out she isn‘t, he was mad. 🤷🏻‍♀️

#PemberLittens

Ch 29: Poor Catherine has no time to be scared on her long, solitary journey after being put out of Northanger—she‘s too busy being sad at losing Eleanor and Henry. She arrives home to a family happy to have her (and glad she can shift for herself). Everyone is appalled with the General‘s behavior, including Mr. Allen. Mrs. Allen of course feels the same and has thoughts on Bath and her clothes, naturally. Catherine misses Henry!

Just like the last time, I got close to the end and finished the last few chapters. My thoughts during this #reread pretty well matched my previous read. Having read some of the books mentioned and better appreciating the humor than when I first read it several years ago, this book just gets better. Additionally, this version read by Rachel Atkins was great.

Previous review: https://litsy.com/p/MHdyTm9PMHpk

#PemberLittens #audiobook

#PemberLittens

Ch 28: The General leaves for a while, and everything is bliss at Northanger. Catherine begins to think she may be overstaying, but Eleanor wants her to stay a lot longer. Henry has to go do his job again, but the girls are having a great time on their own… until the General arrives home in the middle of the night and informs Eleanor that Catherine is to be unceremoniously sent home first thing the next day for no good reason. Wtf!

"His departure gave Catherine the first experimental conviction that a loss may be sometimes a gain." ?? #pemberlittens

#Pemberlittens

Ch 27: After completely ignoring Catherine‘s letters while threw herself at Captain Tilney, Isabella has deigned to write! Only, it‘s clear from her letter she was left by the lesser Tilney and now just needs Catherine to get her back with James. Such a valid, contradictory letter, even Catherine can see through it to Isabella‘s true character, and she‘s decided she‘s quite done with Isabella. Henry approves. 🎉

General Tilney: We‘ll show up when we feel like it—no need to fix a specific time.
Also General Tilney: *fixes a precise date and time*

General Tilney: No special dinner, we don‘t care.
Henry: My father will expect such a special dinner that I need to give my housekeeper five days to prepare.
Catherine: But how can someone say one thing and mean another???

#PemberLittens

#Pemberlittens

Ch 26: A few days have passed and no news on Frederick/Isabella is good news. The general tells Henry that they all will casually visit him sometime when he‘s next home at Woodston, then pinpoints their arrival to the quarter hour. 😂 The visit happens, and Woodston is the best town ever, the parsonage is the best house ever, Henry has lots of dogs and everything is charming. 😍 Catherine is finally catching on to marriage hints!

#Pemberlittens

Ch 25: Catherine‘s mortified at her behavior & convinced that Henry must despise her now, but he is even more kind and attentive than before. Free of her delusions, she‘s wondering why she hasn‘t heard from Isabella when a letter arrives from James, who is heartbroken that Isabella hoodwinked him & implies Isabella will be marrying Capt Tilney. Henry is sure that‘s not happening, but sweetly talks Catherine through her feelings.❤️

Finished it a little early! Just couldn‘t stop! #pemberlittens #scarathlon2022 #teamslaughter #notateamtheme #autumnbingo #gothic @Ann_Reads

#Pemberlittens

Ch 24: Catherine and Eleanor almost make it to Mrs. Tilney‘s rooms before the General interrupts them. Catherine has the (bad) idea to just go snoop herself, and is caught by Henry, back from his real job early… it doesn‘t take Henry long to figure out where Catherine‘s romantic mind has gone, and he quickly (and politely) sets the record straight: he was there when his mom died rather undramatically. Catherine is so embarrassed!😳

#PemberLittens

Ch 23: Catherine finally gets her tour of the abbey, but the General won‘t let Miss Tilney show her the rooms where the late Mrs. Tilney loved and died. Also, the General paces at night and stays up too late, so clearly something nefarious is going on. Catherine intends to stay up and watch for suspicious activities, but is asleep before midnight. All of this novel mystery business take a lot out of a girl! 😂

#Pemberlittens

Ch 22: After surviving the night, Catherine is embarrassed to see her hidden manuscript was just a bunch of old receipts. Not embarrassed enough, however, to stop her immediately jumping to more conclusions about the General! He walks early (very suspicious), wants to show her around his house, and clearly was a cruel husband because he doesn‘t take his dead wife‘s fave walk or have her portrait.

Lots of hints about marriage, ⬇️

#Pemberlittens

Ch 21: Catherine‘s room, while not horrid, does have a mysterious chest that she must explore at risk of being late to dinner. The general is a jerk who makes everyone uncomfortable, but all have a good time when he‘s gone. By bedtime, it‘s storming and proper spooky: Catherine discovers a cabinet she must investigate, finds a paper she doesn‘t get to read before her candle blows out, and spends the night freaking out in the dark.

#Pemberlittens

Ch 20: After a huge, tense breakfast with the whole Tilney brood, Catherine sets off with them for Northanger. After first thinking the coach and four the best transportation ever, her mind is changed when she gets to ride the second leg in Henry‘s curricle. He‘s (naturally) superior to Thorpe and entertains her the whole way with a horrid story of her stay at the mysterious abbey, which turns out more modern that Catherine hoped.

#Pemberlittens

Ch 19: Catherine continues to notice that Isabella is flirting openly with Captain Tilney, & now James is there to see it & be jealous. Catherine talks to Henry, hoping Henry can tell Frederick that Isabella is engaged, but Henry is sure his brother knows, & gently tries to point out that it‘s not Frederick being hurtful to James… seeing that Catherine isn‘t getting it, he assures her that Fred will leave soon & all will be ok.

Ch 18: Catherine realizes days have passed without her spending time with Isabella, but then gets to spend a lovely (😖) time with her at the pump room; Isabella informs Catherine John basically thinks they are engaged, then is bitchy when Catherine disabuses her of the notion. Isabella makes snide comments about Morlands and money, name drops Captain Tilney a lot, and then flirts shamelessly with him in front of all and sundry. Yikes.

#PemberLittens

Ch 17: Catherine is elated when the Allens plan to stay in Bath (near Tilneys) another 3 weeks! But then distressed to learn the Tilneys are soon to leave. But then beyond excited to be invited to visit the home of the Tilneys! And unbelievably elated to learn the Tilneys live in a proper old abbey, just the sort of place her dramatic heart longs for. Her passion for ancient edifices is next in degree to her passion for Henry.😍

#Pemberlittens

Ch 16: Catherine‘s dinner with the Tilneys isn‘t great. She doesn‘t want to admit it‘s because of the General, & Isabella is quick to throw Henry & Miss Tilney under the bus. At the ball, eldest son Captain Tilney (who hates dancing) & Isabella (who is determined not to dance without James) have a fabulous time dancing together. 🙄 Word arrives that James will not have a fortune; Mrs. Thorpe & Isabella are definitely not happy.

#Pemberlittens

#Ch 15: Catherine is SHOCKED to discover that Isabella (who is now speaking to her again) loves James. She is then AMAZED to learn that Isabella & James are engaged. Everyone is all happiness. Isabella seems to think the Morlands are loaded, but Catherine isn‘t picking up on that. Thorpe is leaving (after refusing to drive one sister due to thick ankles) & dropping serious hints about marrying Catherine that she‘s also missing.😂

Posting my copy of the current #pemberlittens read.
It is my first time reading it. Finished first two chapters. And do find the humor entertaining!

Classic Henry Tilney! Both sarcastic and true, and—though he doesn‘t know it—a very well-placed burn. #PemberLittens

I hate John Thorpe with a burning rage all the time, no matter what, but chapter 13 really drives it home. Completely disregarding Catherine's wishes, going behind her back and making her look hella rude to a friend? UM, NO. Scottish Twitter insults are really the only words I can find to encapsulate my true feelings for John "Human Trashcan" Thorpe. #PemberLittens

For anyone who missed the original:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tLrk7mUdla0

#PemberLittens

Ch 14: Catherine finally gets her walk with the Tilneys, which turns out to be everything she had hoped if too short. Henry is sarcastic & flirty, picks on the ladies with his pretended opinions on women, loves novels even more than Catherine, & even helps Catherine appreciate drawing. Miss Tilney invites Catherine to dinner in a couple of days, & Catherine learns that Isabella got her way—the carriage ride went without her. 🎉

Starting my #RainyDayReading out with our #Pemberlittens #ChapterADay and a mug of hot tea.

#ScarathlonBucketlist

#Scarathlon2022 #TeamMonsterMash @StayCurious

#Pemberlittens

Ch 13: Sunday at the pump room, and Catherine happily secures plans for the Walk With Tilneys for the next day, only to find the trifecta of asshats have decided she must go on a carriage ride. Catherine refuses, they demand, Isabella cries, and Thorpe actually goes to the Tilneys to tell them she isn‘t going. Cathy, having none of it, runs to and bursts in on the Tilneys to set the record straight. General Tilney asks her ⬇️

#Pemberlittens

Ch 12: Catherine is determined to see Miss Tilney to explain standing them up, but is mortified when Miss Tilney won‘t see her, even in a white dress! Recovered enough, she goes to the theater, where Mr. Tilney seeks her out & quickly gets over his anger when Catherine basically declares her undying love/preference for him over all other men. Thorpe is talking to General Tilney, & they agree Catherine is fine. Not weird at all.😳

Catherine is sure a little rain won't stop her from seeing the Tilneys today, but then nobody's favorite blowhard John Thorpe arrives with Isabella and James, swearing up and down that he saw Henry driving out of town. He convinces Catherine to come out to Clifton with the gang and she grudgingly agrees. Though once they've hit the road, who is that glaring from the sidewalk? Eleanor Tilney with Henry beside her! DAMN YOU, THORPE!

#Pemberlittens

Ch 11 begins with a lot of speculation on the weather (Mrs. Allen remains useless) as Catherine is anxious for rain to stop so she can walk with the Tilneys. The Thorpes/James arrive first, insist that Catherine come on a ride (to see a castle!), & Thorpe claims to have seen Tilney leaving town in a trap 🙁. Catherine goes, only to see the Tilneys walking to her, but Thorpe refuses to stop. No Tilneys, no castle, everything sucks.

JA at her most vicious wittiness, scathing commentary on society, the rise of gothic novels and the dreariness of women's lives. Outstanding