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The protagonist of Northanger Abbey is a seventeen-year-old young woman, Catherine Morland, who is one of ten children of a country clergyman and she is excessively fond of reading Gothic novels, among which Ann Radcliffe's Mysteries of Udolpho is a favorite.

A tomboy in her childhood, by the age of 17 she is "in training for a heroine" now. Catherine is invited by the Allens, her wealthier neighbours in Fullerton, to accompany them to visit the town of Bath and partake in the winter season of balls, theatre and other social delights.

Divided into two sections, Northanger Abbey contains Book I and Book II.

In Bath, Catherine meets Henry Tilney, a young clergyman who impresses Catherine with his wit and enjoyable conversation. Catherine quickly falls in love with Henry. But after their first meeting she does not see him again for some time.

Mrs. Allen bumps into an old acquaintance, Mrs. Thorpe, and her three young daughters, including Isabella, who is slightly older than Catherine. Catherine and Isabella quickly become good friends.

This is interrupted by the arrival of James Morland, Catherine's brother, and John Thorpe, Isabella's brother. They are friends at Oxford University.

Isabella wastes no time in flirting with James - and John, on the other hand asks Catherine to be his dancing partner. At the ball, Catherine sees Henry Tilney again and is more interested in Henry than in John.

Now that Isabella's time is taken up with James, Catherine decides to become friends with Eleanor Tilney, Henry's sister. Eleanor soon realizes that Catherine loves Henry.

Soon James and Isabella become engaged. And John leaves Bath for several weeks with the false impression that Catherine loves him, although Catherine doesn't know anything about this.

Book II starts with the arrival of Henry's older brother, Captain Frederick Tilney. And, Eleanor invites Catherine to visit the Tilney home in Northanger Abbey and she is delighted at the thought of visiting a real abbey and at seeing more of Henry.

Here many things happens afterward like Frederick flirting with Isabella and Isabella telling Catherine that John is waiting to propose to Catherine.

On their way to Northanger Abbey, an excited Catherine tells Henry about how the Abbey resembles the haunted ruins of the Gothic novels - her fantasy and fancy take over. She entertains all sorts of frightening ideas about the place, each of which is thwarted.

Catherine visits Henry's house at Woodston. Henry's father, General Tilney, drops hints about Catherine marrying Henry.

Then the General leaves on a business trip, and Henry goes back to Woodston for several days. The General then returns unexpectedly and rudely tells Eleanor to send Catherine away the next morning. Though she is very embarrassed, Eleanor has no choice but to send Catherine to her home in Fullerton.

The rest of the story is about whether Catherine and Henry get married.

Facts and Trivia:

1. Northanger Abbey was the first of Jane Austen's novels to be completed for publication, though she had previously made a start on Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice.

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About the Author:

Jane Austen (16 December 1775 - 18 July 1817) was an English novelist who is world renowned and is known primarily for her six major novels which interpret, critique and comment upon the life of the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Her most highly praised novel during her lifetime was Pride and Prejudice, her second published novel. Austen's plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favorable social standing and economic security.

The author's major novels are rarely out of print today, although they were first published anonymously and brought her little fame and brief reviews during her lifetime. A significant transition in her posthumous reputation as an author occurred in 1869, fifty-two years after her death, when her nephew's publication of A Memoir of Jane Austen introduced her to a wider audience. Austen's most successful novel during her lifetime was Pride and Prejudice, which went through two editions at the time. Her third published novel was Mansfield Park, which (despite being largely overlooked by reviewers) was successful during her lifetime.

Between 1793 and 1795 Austen wrote Lady Susan, considered her most ambitious and sophisticated early novel.It is unlike Austen's other work; biographer Claire Tomalin describes the novella's heroine as a sexual predator who uses her intelligence and charm to manipulate, betray and abuse lovers, friends and family.

One of England's favorite and best authors, she is best known for her social commentary in novels.