| Title | : | Jane Austens Northanger Abbey (Awesomely Austen) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 144495069X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781444950694 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 240 |
| Publication | : | First published October 1, 2020 |
Catherine Morland loves nothing more than reading a romantic novel, but as one of ten children she doesn't have much time for reading or for romance.
When she is seventeen, her wealthy neighbours invite her to spend the winter season with them in Bath - to experience balls, the theatre and other social delights for the first time.
Catherine makes friends with the passionate Isabella, and dances with a handsome man called Henry, and it seems that all her dreams are coming true. But real life doesn't always play out like a novel, and Catherine will have to overcome many obstacles before she can find her happy ending ...
Eglantine Ceulemans captures all of Austen's satire and wit, bringing her colourful casts to life with warm and funny black and white illustrations.
Illustrated and retold editions are also available for: Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park. The perfect way to discover Austen for the first time, this bright and bold collection features some of the most inspiring and famous heroines in English literature. For readers aged eight and up.
Jane Austens Northanger Abbey (Awesomely Austen) Reviews
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What a wonderful retelling to expose a younger audience to the writing of Jane Austen. An easy to read text but with the same detail to characterisation. A lovely glimpse into society for Middle Grade readers.
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Wonderful start to the year!
I love this little collection of retellings, I’m definitely going to collect them all so that I can pass them down to my children.
Can’t beat the Lady, the Myth, the Legend, Jane Austen. -
From September 2019 to October 2020, we were treated to a series of splendid illustrated books, drawn by Églantine Ceulemans, collectively entitled “Awesomely Austen – Illustrated and Retold.” The series features all of Austen’s completed novels, repackaged as enjoyable children’s books, seeking to introduce the delights of Jane Austen to a younger generation while also entertaining long-time fans.
Since these books are aimed primarily at children and young adults, Jane Austen’s most memorable quotes are understandably absent. Written in Regency-era “British” English, Austen’s original prose may be difficult for younger readers to fully appreciate.
As such, long-time fans should not expect to read such iconic and deliciously witty statements as Pride and Prejudice's “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" or Emma's “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.”
In their place are wonderful retellings done in a language more accessible to their target audience, accompanied by Ms. Ceuleman’s charmingly quirky illustrations.
“Northanger Abbey” (October 2020, Holder’s Children’s Books) is the last of Austen’s six novels to receive the children’s book treatment.
Wonderfully retold by Steven Butler, “Northanger Abbey” follows Catherine Morland, a relatively unremarkable young woman, born into your average English family, who had no distinguishing feature other than an overpowering need for decidedly “non-lady-like” adventures and a penchant for reading Gothic novels.
While her contemporaries spent much time honing the skills and arts needed to marry well – mastering a foreign language, playing the pianoforte, practicing needlework or painting – Catherine could be found imagining herself the heroine in some romantic exploit set in eerie crumbling castles or ghostly manors.
Life eventually revealed itself to be more “normal” than she would have desired. But not before Catherine found herself in uniquely complicated situations – owing to her over-active imagination – which would have rivaled even those she read in those Gothic novels.
These children’s books retain the spirit of Austen’s wicked wit, insightful social commentary, and ahead-of-its-time focus on strong female protagonists.
In this way, the “Awesomely Austen” series provides a wonderful venue for a new generation readers to discover the delights of Jane Austen, ensuring that her legacy will live on for generations to come. -
Very cute retelling of this story! Approachable and easy to read, this is a great way to introduce someone to Jane Austen's genius.
I loved the Pride and Prejudice version of these retellings, but this one fell a tiny bit short. The only thing was that in modernizing the language, we miss a lot of Austen's wit and humor. As this is one of the shortest of her novels, I think the original is a better alternative.
But still, it was a lot of fun! -
Another great Austen novel rewritten for the YA market. This has to be my favourite Austen novel and I will read the Jabe Austen version. Sometime this year. A great series of books to get you interested in Austen's world. I have found them to be funnier than I thought they would be and some of the characters you either love or loath. A great way to spend a rainy weekend
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3.5.
I liked the interpretation, but as my least favorite austen novel, it was always going to get the lowest rating. This whole series was a great idea. Loved it. -
This is the second book in the Awesomely Austen series that I have picked up and I have to say it was better than the first. This is because Northanger Abbey lends itself more to a child friendly retelling, the narrative style of the book being more playful than Sense and Sensibility’s. Catherine is a lovely heroine, naive and kind, who grows over the novel. I would really recommend this book for introducing younger audiences to Austen.
