not particularly bad, but not particularly good either - Rated 
At some point during a rain-ridden summer, I decided to catch up on my reading. Northanger Abbey was one of the books I read. I love Jane Austen's 'bestsellers', and I was curious to see how she would touch upon the Gothic genre.
Now, although this is really a Jane Austen book, and her ironical, sometimes downright hilarious narratorial voice is there, Northanger Abbey is something of a disappointment.
I think the problem of this book lies really in its characters. Catherine is such a gullible, silly girl, that she loses all respect and sympathy. Even the narrator doesn't seem to have a shred of respect for this girl, and that makes it even harder to become engaged in what she's going through. A necessary element in any novel, in my opinion, is that the reader cares about its protagonist. But what if that protagonist barely has any character? Catherine seems devoid of any thoughts or opinions. The only thing we know she does is flutter over Udolpho - which makes her possess the same appeal as a 21st-century teenage girl swooning over the Twilight Saga - i.e. none. Her dream of seeing a REAL abbey is so naive that it is laughable at best. At a certain point, I didn't care whether she ended up dead in a ditch or happily married. And I didn't feel like the narrator cared very much either.
The same goes for Mr. Tilney. He has the appeal of a towel. Oh, I give him at least some vague sense of humour here and there, but otherwise he's as devoid of personality as Catherine.
In short, I would recommend this novel for die-hard Austen fans, or for just interested students of literature (there is that famous metaliterary bit about the novel, which I really thought was interesting - it shows us at least that little bit of contemporary opinion on the novel we often don't think about).
However, if you are looking for merely a pleasurable, interesting and engaging read... well, let's just say that I don't think this is the best novel to provide it. It's not going to be a downright awful read, but not a very engaging one either.
'Austens Gothic Parody' - Rated 
'Austens gothic parody'
You would never think of Jane Austen writing a book like this, its a story about a young girl called Catherine Moreland who (while her stay at bath) falls in love with Mr Henry Tilney, Mr Tilney isnt any other Austen men, he has a certain shine to him.
Mr Tilney lives at Northanger Abbey.
Catherine enjoys reading books like the Mysteries Of Uldolpho and The Monk, while her stay at Northanger Abbey she lets her imagination fly, with the help of her books
Endnotes. - Rated 
I have only read the first few pages of this edition, and I wish I'd spent more money. The numbered end-notes are a distraction, even if you don't turn to the end of the book each time.
The Illustrations are terrible and do nothing for the novel.
Lovely! - Rated
I really enjoyed this, found it much easier to read then any other Austen I have tried but that may be a result of getting familiar with the language. Once again Austen does not disappoint with the range of characters to love, hate, laugh at/with and those you just want to punch!! Another fabulous escape into a wonderfuly written world of romance and chivalry. Highly recommended!
Charming and thought-provoking about imaginations - Rated
Northanger Abbey is not Jane Austen's best known or read work which is really a shame, because it is quite charming. I love the way, Austen's work are as relevant, entertaining, and thought-provoking now as when they were written in the beginning of the 19th century.
Northanger Abbey is the story of a would-be heroine, Catherine Morland, who accompanies the Allens to Bath. Here she is thrushed into a world, the likes of which she has only read about in novels. There are parties, drama, charming young men, and her new friends Isabella and Eleanor. And the intrigues: Catherine's brother is engaged to Isabella, and Isabella's brother fancies Catherine. Catherine on the other hand has affection for Henry Tilney of Northanger Abbey. Catherine is invited to Northanger Abbey and oh, you should read the story instead of me just relating it.
Norhtanger Abbey is also about storytelling and the recent popularity of Gothic novels. It is about the imaginations of Catherine and pretty much every other character in the book. Everyone has their own imaginative approach to the world they live in and these worlds collide.
Something I find very enjoyable in Northanger Abbey, is Austen's active narration. Once in while, she pops in, speaking of herself in the first person and subtly whispers in the ear of the reading. It is marvellous.
Louise.
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