Book Review: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

During an eventful season at Bath, young, naïve Catherine Morland experiences the joys of fashionable society for the first time. She is delighted with her new acquaintances: flirtatious Isabella, who shares Catherine's love of Gothic romance and horror, and sophisticated Henry and Eleanor Tilney, who invite her to their father's mysterious house, Northanger Abbey. There, her imagination influenced by novels of sensation and intrigue, Catherine imagines terrible crimes committed by General Tilney. With its broad comedy and irrepressible heroine, this is the most youthful and and optimistic of Jane Austen's works. (Goodreads)

Northanger Abbey was my second Austen novel. I read Pride and Prejudice in eight grade, and reread it in ninth grade, and I didn't particularly enjoy that. And, again, when I read this novel I didn't enjoy the experience too much either.

When I read a book, I want to be transported into the story. I want to feel like I am in this world, whether it being a fantastical one, or one like ours. I want to feel like the characters are my friends and I am spending time with them. Austen does not do that for me. Her writing feels a bit flat and the characters do not speak to me.

Catherine is constantly described as a heroine. While she does not look particularly like a heroine, and does not act like one either, Austen plays with the idea of her being one. This aspect I enjoyed, and it was probably my favourite. Apart from this I also enjoyed Isabella as a character as I have several people in my year at school who are like mirrors to her.

While I didn't enjoyed this book, I would recommend people have a read through it as I think it is a book you either love or hate.

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Book Review: Stoner by John Williams

Stoner is a quite interesting novel. Interesting in the sense that we follow a man from him entering university to the end of his life. There is nothing extraordinary about this man or his life, yet this is quite an extraordinary story. 

Stoner enters university in the year 1910 with the intention of getting a degree in agriculture. He was sent to the University by his parents so that he could learn better ways to manage the farm he grew up on. But, mid-studies he falls in love with english literature and transfer courses.He eventually begins to teach at the same university he studied at, and he also gets a MA and a Ph.D.

He marries a woman he soon realises he has nothing in common with. However, they stay married and have a daughter together, named Grace, whom he loves more than anyone else. He grows quite close to his daughter during the first years of her life. But, as time passes they slowly drift apart. 

Stoner has few friends, and few acquaintances outside of school. Nevertheless, he is quite content with his simple life.

John Williams' writing is what makes this book so special. It is quite simple, and very easy to comprehend. yet, it carries so much depth and meaning. And, even though it took me a couple of chapters to really connect with the story, this book is so amazing that everyone should read it at least once in their lifetime.

I have been, and will keep,  recommending this book to everyone who are looking for an introduction to classics. This was not written to long ago, so the language is easy to get used to, and overall it is just an amazing story.

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