Northanger Abbey is a novel by Jane Austen, first published in 1817. It follows the story of Catherine Morland, a young woman who is invited to stay with the wealthy Tilney family at their estate, Northanger Abbey. Catherine is an avid reader of Gothic novels, and she is excited to explore the mysterious abbey. However, she soon discovers that the abbey is not as sinister as she had imagined. Instead, she finds herself in the midst of a romantic comedy of manners, as she navigates the social circles of Bath and the Tilney family. Throughout the novel, Catherine learns to distinguish between the real and the imaginary, and she discovers that the most important relationships are those of the heart. In the end, Catherine finds true love with Henry Tilney, and the two are happily married.
By Jane Austen · First published 1817 · Genre: Romance, Gothic Fiction, Satire · 31 chapters