Northanger

Northanger commonly refers to Northanger Abbey, a novel by English author Jane Austen, or to the fictional country house that gives the work its name. Written in the late 1790s and revised through the early 1800s, the novel was published posthumously in 1817 alongside Persuasion. Originally titled Susan, it is often cited by the shorter form Northanger.

The story follows Catherine Morland, a naive young woman who travels from rural childhood to the social world of Bath and later to the gloomy estate called Northanger Abbey. The novel is both a coming-of-age tale and a satirical treatment of Gothic fiction popular in Austen’s era; its humor and critique examine the effects of sensational reading on perception, the formation of moral judgment, and the conventions of courtship and social class.

Northanger’s tone blends irony and affectionate characterization, and it is notable for its meta-literary commentary and relatively light, adventurous plotting compared with Austen’s later works. Over time it has been regarded as an important early novel in Austen’s oeuvre and a valuable example of genre parody.

The title has also been used to denote the fictional abbey itself and, less commonly, appears in the names of adaptations and cultural references. Northanger has inspired numerous stage and screen adaptations, translations, and critical studies exploring its themes, narrative technique, and place in Regency literature.