Northanger Abbey Read-Along: Week 3

Welcome to Week 3 of the Northanger Abbey read-along! You can learn more about our read-along plans in this invitation post .

Today we're going to discuss chapters 11-17. If you came prepared, go ahead and share your thoughts below! Otherwise, feel free to check in later, after you've had a chance to read today's chapter. Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

P.S. If you're a blogger, you're more than welcome to put together your own post using the button above and linking back to the Northanger Abbey read-along tag, if you'd prefer to participate in the discussion that way. 

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Northanger Abbey Chapters 11-17
Discussion Format: One favorite quote, some general impressions, and three questions for each week's reading.
Favorite Quote

"Catherine...enjoyed her usual happiness with Henry Tilney, listening with sparkling eyes to everything he said; and, in finding him irresistible, becoming so herself."

General Impressions

This section included some meatier chapters as compared to the earlier ones! Poor Catherine desires nothing more than a walk with the Tilneys, but it seems to be the Thorpes' duty to keep Catherine to themselves and present her in the worst possible light to Henry and his sister. (Boo!)

But nothing keeps our heroine down for long. :) She will make her desires clear and take that walk, no matter how many times she must set the record straight!

I love that Catherine makes a stand in these chapters - striving to remain kindhearted about it, but still determined to keep her commitments, express her true wishes, and be honest about the situation. Meanwhile, she remains sweetly naive about the machinations of those around her.

This section also includes an intriguing conversation about novels and reading; the announcement of James and Isabella's engagement (reactions to this, anyone?); a reluctant (??) dance between the handsome Captain Tilney and Isabella; and an invitation issued to Catherine to visit none other than Northanger Abbey, home of the Tilneys.

Life is really taking off for Catherine and her friends! We shall see if these new developments bode well or ill in the end...

Discussion Questions

Feel free to answer one, two, or all three of these questions in the comments section or in a separate blog post!

1. How do you feel about the way Catherine handled herself with John, Isabella, and James when they pressured her into ditching her walk with the Tilneys in favor of their own outings? How do you feel about the way she explained herself to the Tilneys?

2. Henry, his sister, and Catherine have an interesting discussion about books and education on their walk. What was your favorite part of that conversation? Did any of their opinions on novels, history, or the difficulties in learning to read resonate with you?

3. We've been given more glimpses into Henry's character - as well as Catherine's infatuation with him. Do you think Catherine has fallen too hard too fast? Or do you think Henry is proving himself worthy of such admiration?

Giveaway!

First, I'm excited to announce the winner of the first giveaway! The prize was a DVD copy of Masterpiece's Northanger Abbey, which we'll hopefully all be watching "together" (via a chat on Twitter) at the end of the read-along. And the winner is...

Mary Horton!
Congratulations, Mary! Be on the lookout for my email - and be prepared to be swept off your feet by JJ Feild's interpretation of Henry Tilney. ;)

Next up is a chance to win the 200th-Anniversary Annotated Edition of Emma by Jane Austen. You can log your entries using the Rafflecopter form below. (Giveaway open to US residents only.) The winner will be announced on March 31st. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Join us next Thursday to chat about chapters 18-24!

P.S. Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope you stumble upon some unexpected joys today, as I did when I recently discovered the four-leaf clovers I pressed in the pages of Northanger Abbey the last time I read it. :)