The Horrid Novels of Northanger Abbey

We all love Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen's brilliant satire that pokes fun at romanticizing fear and excitement found in tales of ghosts, mysterious crimes, and passionate romances set in gothic and occult environments. What many readers don't realize is that the books devoured by the novel's heroine, Catherine Morland, were not made up, but were actual bestsellers of Austen's era. This edition gives you the opportunity to explore the stories that captivated Catherine's imagination, leading her to daydream and fantasize, as well as to discover why the legendary Jane Austen herself was secretly a fan of the genre and thus dedicated one of her books to the infatuation of the popular gothic mysteries.

At the heart of this collection lies Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey. This collection also features the so-called "Horrid Novels"—the very books mentioned in Northanger Abbey, horror tales that the main character reads, profoundly shaping her mental state, her actions and beliefs. For many years, people assumed the books mentioned in Northanger Abbey were mere inventions of Austen's imagination. The subsequent revelation that these novels actually existed reignited interest in them, leading to a newfound appreciation for the spine-chilling horror tales of the 18th century.