Quotable

I don't know about the rest of you, but this relatively short book in comparison to the others is FULL of thought provoking quotes.

Here's just a glimpse of a few of the greatest:

"...no young lady can be justified in falling in love before the gentleman's love is declared..." (Narrator)

"The mere habit of learning to love is the thing; and a teachableness of disposition in a young lady is a great blessing." (Henry to Catherine)

"I hate the idea of one great fortune looking out for another; and to marry for money I think the wickedest thing in existence." (Catherine to Thorpe - I think)




But my favorite quote in the book as a whole is this (and maybe in describes book club in some small way):

"Friendship is certainly the finest balm for the pangs of disappointed love." (Narrator)


(I think Jane Austen's opinions on love and money, ect was spoken through many of her "heroines," Catherine being one of them.)

Looking forward to our impending discussion.

Kayla

First Thoughts on Northanger Abbey

Hello, Readers!  

This summer we are embarking on our 5th novel, and it quite possibly may be one of the least-anticipated ones.  Poor Northanger Abbey.  So far it has not gotten the respect (I believe) it deserves in our Book Club, but I hope we will all enjoy it more than our last book.  


I'm only about four chapters along so far, though this is (amazingly) one of the three Austen novels that I had read prior to Book Club.  So, just remember, 

"If Betsy's read it, so can you!"  

I found some good discussion questions on this site, but the following thoughts in particular stood out to me as good ones to think about in these early stages:

"Northanger Abbey is a book about reading. Much of the plot has to do with the folly of confusing one's own life with the stuff of fictional adventure. But the book also contains a famous Austen defense of novels and novelists, particularly those read and written by women."

(source)

Happy Reading! 

Betsy


P.S. I am really confused why Blogger insists that I want a background color behind the text.  I can't figure out how to change it back, since our blog's background is not one of the "Text Background Color" options! If anyone has any ideas, please enlighten me.  Thanks!