Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Curiosities (2010), Paperback, 346 pages
Description
From the author of Mansfield Park and Mummies... NORTHANGER ABBEY AND ANGELS AND DRAGONS Dragons in the skies of Regency England Gothic horrors collide with high satire in this elegant, hilarious, witty, insane, and unexpectedly romantic supernatural parody of Jane Austen's classic novel. Young and naive Catherine Morland is constantly surrounded by angels only she alone can see. Leaving her country home for the first time, to embark on a grand adventure that begins in fashionable Bath, our romantic heroine must not only decrypt the mystery of the Udolpho Code but win her true love Henry Tilney. Meanwhile she is beset by all the Gothic horrors known to Impressionable Young Ladies -- odious demons, Regency balls, elusive ghosts, pleasure excursions, temperature-changing nephilim, secret clues, ogre suitors, and a terrifying ancient Dragon who has very likely hidden a secret treasure hoard somewhere in the depths of Northanger Abbey. Gentle Reader -- this Delightful Illustrated Edition includes Scholarly Footnotes and Appendices.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member ldbell500
I really enjoyed this book. It was very hard to put down and I stayed up two nights reading this book. The main character's, Catherine, supernatural abilities brought a refreshing tone to the novel. I hated Catherine's so called friend, Isabella, and her brother, John. I was ecstatic when Catherine
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disassociated herself from the evil siblings.The innocence and supernatural abilities of Catherine made it hard to close the book. Nazarian's character development, imagery and plot development with a surprising twist at the conclusion of the book will make this a favorite for people who enjoy romance, suspense, supernatural fiction with a sprinkling of a little humor. Don't take my word for it go out and purchase the book.This is the first Nazarian book I've had the pleasure of reading. Show Less
LibraryThing member bluelotus28
I just finished the very entertaining novel Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons. What a splendid read it was! The supernatural elements were woven into the story quite seamlessly, and I was pleased to find it an easy and most enjoyable way to pass the time. I haven't read many Jane Austen or
The only parts I found somewhat jarring were the several footnotes relating to Oscar Wilde and being gay. I think they were a little overdone, and could have been omitted after the first one.
I am looking forward to reading the next most frightfully horrid (in a good way) novel from Ms. Nazarian.
I did receive this as an e-book through a LibraryThing.com giveaway. While I was asked to give a review in exchange for the book it was not required to be a positive one.
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mashup novels, but I think this one worked quite well. The only parts I found somewhat jarring were the several footnotes relating to Oscar Wilde and being gay. I think they were a little overdone, and could have been omitted after the first one.
I am looking forward to reading the next most frightfully horrid (in a good way) novel from Ms. Nazarian.
I did receive this as an e-book through a LibraryThing.com giveaway. While I was asked to give a review in exchange for the book it was not required to be a positive one.
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LibraryThing member naimahaviland
I am about halfway through the very entertaining Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons and will write a complete review when I'm finished. Northanger Abbey and Angels and Demons was written and illustrated by Vera Nazarian as a paranormal parody of Jane Austen's book Northanger Abbey (which was
I am enjoying Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons. It's light, witty, and fun to read. The premise is that Austen's heroine, Catherine Morland can see angels, as well as demons and dragons. Nazarian's descriptions of the angels is particularly pleasing. Her style is very visual, and I can really 'see' the little angels and their firefly glow illuminating cravats, bonnets, puffy sleeves, and Georgian interiors. The demons masquerade as members of society, but the fact that Catherine can see and hear them as they really are makes for very amusing characterizations. The dragon is cool -- I gather it plays a larger role in the 2nd half of the novel and look forward to its reappearance. There's another creature that's appears unexpectedly to vex people in the extreme -- I won't tell you what it is, but it will make you smile.
I haven't read other paranormal parodies of Jane Austen novels, so I can't say how Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons stacks up against them. I can only tell you that I find this novel very easy to read. The structure of the paranormal world is neatly drawn and makes sense. The dialogue and description just sort of roll you through the paragraphs (props to Ms. Austen for this, but Nazarian's additions blend without any glitch in style). Nazarian's contributions make me chuckle. You will probably like this if you like Jane Austen and classic chick lit of the 19th century, if you like fantasy novels, and if you like lighthearted horror elements. I like the dark, horrific stuff too, but that's another type of book. For my lighter side, Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons does quite nicely.
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Jane Austen's parody of the dark fantasy novels so popular in her day). Nazarian gives equal credit for writing Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons to Jane Austen, which was a smart and fair thing to do. I haven't read Northanger Abbey, but what prose I have seen suggests that the angels and dragons are Nazarian's literary contribution to the parody; Austen's prose is still there. I watched Masterpiece Theatre's adaptation of Northanger Abbey, and Nazarian's parody does not alter this likable heroine or the charming flow of the story.I am enjoying Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons. It's light, witty, and fun to read. The premise is that Austen's heroine, Catherine Morland can see angels, as well as demons and dragons. Nazarian's descriptions of the angels is particularly pleasing. Her style is very visual, and I can really 'see' the little angels and their firefly glow illuminating cravats, bonnets, puffy sleeves, and Georgian interiors. The demons masquerade as members of society, but the fact that Catherine can see and hear them as they really are makes for very amusing characterizations. The dragon is cool -- I gather it plays a larger role in the 2nd half of the novel and look forward to its reappearance. There's another creature that's appears unexpectedly to vex people in the extreme -- I won't tell you what it is, but it will make you smile.
I haven't read other paranormal parodies of Jane Austen novels, so I can't say how Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons stacks up against them. I can only tell you that I find this novel very easy to read. The structure of the paranormal world is neatly drawn and makes sense. The dialogue and description just sort of roll you through the paragraphs (props to Ms. Austen for this, but Nazarian's additions blend without any glitch in style). Nazarian's contributions make me chuckle. You will probably like this if you like Jane Austen and classic chick lit of the 19th century, if you like fantasy novels, and if you like lighthearted horror elements. I like the dark, horrific stuff too, but that's another type of book. For my lighter side, Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons does quite nicely.
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LibraryThing member tjsjohanna
Northanger Abbey is already quite rollicking fun, but Ms. Nazarian ups the ante with this mashup of horror and Jane Austen. Surprisingly, the addition of fantastical elements fits in very well with this story, playing on the gothic novel theme found in the original and playing up Catherine's
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silliness. Ms. Nazarian has added a few original illustrations as well ( I particularly liked the walking shovels!). Show Less
LibraryThing member olgalijo
I thoroughly enjoyed Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons. I had previously read Northanger Abbey, and am a fan of Jane Austen's. The heroine is as charming as when she was initially created, but has become just so funny. It is also funny that is is a parody of a parody (as Northanger Abbey was
I think though that Nazarian should have believed more in the ability of the readers to catch the ironic parts of the book without having to italize words every other paragraph.
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a parody of the Gothic style in vogue at the time in England).I think though that Nazarian should have believed more in the ability of the readers to catch the ironic parts of the book without having to italize words every other paragraph.
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LibraryThing member DoskoiPanda
Let me begin by saying that I have read other works by both Vera Nazarian and Jane Austen, and greatly enjoyed them both. I have also read other recent Austen collaborations*, and I have enjoyed those as well. Northanger Abbey and Angels and Dragons is exactly as it sounds - an Austen
The author's additions are in keeping with Austen's tone and word usage, so the text doesn't jolt you out of reading. Characters remained mostly as they were, even taking into consideration of Vera Nazarian's alterations; the depictions of the Thorne siblings were spot on to how I had thought of them when reading Austen's original novel. Austen's touch with poking fun at societal propriety remains intact, and is not exaggreated for additional comdic effect. There is also no gore or violence involved - which is much more in keeping with Austen's books**.
However, on the downside: appearances of the angels felt repetitive, and the additions to the plot made it a bit over-complicated. The footnotes were largely meant to be funny, but just as often fell flat; linking every mention of gay to Oscar Wilde was irritating, for example, as well as being temporally inaccurate. The footnotes also tended to tell you want a thing wasn't meant to convey, rather than what it was, which rankled. I think that this was an odd choice of Austen's novels to adapt, mostly because Auster herself had, in a way, already done so herself with the inclusion of Mrs. Radcliffe's Udolfo.
Overall rating: between 3.5 and 4 stars - Fans of the Austen-with-a-twist genre, but not delighted by the inclusion of the undead may well enjoy this more than its monster-ridden cousins.
Review copy supplied by the author as part of LibraryThing's Member Giveaway program.
* most notably the Quirk Classics' infamous Pride and Prejudice and Zombies series.
**For all the soldiers running around in Austen's novels, there really is an astounding lack of blood and violence.
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parody/collaboration with the addition of Angels and Dragons. Austen's original novel, for the uninitiated, is the story of a country girl who spends a few weeks in society at Bath, taking the waters and attending balls, making acquaintances and learning of Mrs. Radcliffe's Gothic novels, The Mysteries of Udolfo, in particular. There are two love plots for the heroine to negotiate, and another involving her brother that could be considered an intrigue. Being both young, and rather foolish and romantic, the heroine takes leave of her common sense at times, and weaves elements of Gothic fantasy into her adventures. Vera Nazarian makes the addition of working angels and dragons throughout the text, as well as a number of minor additional changes to the sub-plots, and a number of annotations and illustrations. The author's additions are in keeping with Austen's tone and word usage, so the text doesn't jolt you out of reading. Characters remained mostly as they were, even taking into consideration of Vera Nazarian's alterations; the depictions of the Thorne siblings were spot on to how I had thought of them when reading Austen's original novel. Austen's touch with poking fun at societal propriety remains intact, and is not exaggreated for additional comdic effect. There is also no gore or violence involved - which is much more in keeping with Austen's books**.
However, on the downside: appearances of the angels felt repetitive, and the additions to the plot made it a bit over-complicated. The footnotes were largely meant to be funny, but just as often fell flat; linking every mention of gay to Oscar Wilde was irritating, for example, as well as being temporally inaccurate. The footnotes also tended to tell you want a thing wasn't meant to convey, rather than what it was, which rankled. I think that this was an odd choice of Austen's novels to adapt, mostly because Auster herself had, in a way, already done so herself with the inclusion of Mrs. Radcliffe's Udolfo.
Overall rating: between 3.5 and 4 stars - Fans of the Austen-with-a-twist genre, but not delighted by the inclusion of the undead may well enjoy this more than its monster-ridden cousins.
Review copy supplied by the author as part of LibraryThing's Member Giveaway program.
* most notably the Quirk Classics' infamous Pride and Prejudice and Zombies series.
**For all the soldiers running around in Austen's novels, there really is an astounding lack of blood and violence.
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LibraryThing member amy2011
I enjoyed reading this book it was a fun twist on one of jane austen's classic novels.I will be reading more from this author.If you expect to get plain jane austen this book is not for you.I myself like classic mash up books I have read quite a few.I thought this writer held her own with the
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others I have read.If you want a comedy twist on a classic check this book out.For me it was a fun read and not a waste of time.I also loved the cover art of the book. Show Less
LibraryThing member arelenriel
This book was not at all what I was expecting it to be. While it did take an interesting approach I am simply not at all comfortable with the concept of reconceiving the classics.
LibraryThing member Antares1
I'm having difficulty getting through this one. I can't fault the writer, it's the format that's a problem. .pdf files don't work well on my kindle and it's difficult to read because the print is so small, and light. I've tried to reset the kindle to make it larger, but it doesn't work on .pdf.
LibraryThing member Katyas
Book Info: Genre: Classical Literary Parody Reading Level: Adult
Disclosure: I received a free ebook copy of this text from the author through the LibraryThing Members Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Gothic horrors collide with high satire in this elegant, hilarious,
My Thoughts: I will start out by saying that, despite having been an English major, I have never read Northanger Abbey, the book being parodied. I am not sure if that will affect my understanding and appreciation of this text or not.
I had a fun time reading this book – while I have no idea how it held to the original plot and text, I found the writing style to be amusing and full of humor, and there is nothing I like more than to laugh. And laugh I did – a LOT – through about the first 40 percent of the book. Then it slowed down – there were still amusing moments, but not as many that made me laugh out loud as in the earlier parts. But it was still a fine story, beautifully written in the style of the time, with many amusing footnotes, asides and appendices.
Interestingly enough, the author in this text has also provided illustrations, just as in the last book I read, although these are much more life-like. I’m always impressed by the multiple talents that some people have – apparently they hog up all the talents and leave the rest of us with none ☺ I was also interested to learn that Ms. Nazarian immigrated to the US from the former USSR, which my husband also did, although he is from St. Petersburg whilst she is from Moscow.
All in all, an entertaining read, and one I highly recommend to those who enjoy parody and satire. Lots of fun!
Disclosure: I received a free ebook copy of this text from the author through the LibraryThing Members Giveaway program in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Gothic horrors collide with high satire in this elegant, hilarious,
Show More
witty, insane, and unexpectedly romantic supernatural parody of Jane Austen's classic novel. My Thoughts: I will start out by saying that, despite having been an English major, I have never read Northanger Abbey, the book being parodied. I am not sure if that will affect my understanding and appreciation of this text or not.
I had a fun time reading this book – while I have no idea how it held to the original plot and text, I found the writing style to be amusing and full of humor, and there is nothing I like more than to laugh. And laugh I did – a LOT – through about the first 40 percent of the book. Then it slowed down – there were still amusing moments, but not as many that made me laugh out loud as in the earlier parts. But it was still a fine story, beautifully written in the style of the time, with many amusing footnotes, asides and appendices.
Interestingly enough, the author in this text has also provided illustrations, just as in the last book I read, although these are much more life-like. I’m always impressed by the multiple talents that some people have – apparently they hog up all the talents and leave the rest of us with none ☺ I was also interested to learn that Ms. Nazarian immigrated to the US from the former USSR, which my husband also did, although he is from St. Petersburg whilst she is from Moscow.
All in all, an entertaining read, and one I highly recommend to those who enjoy parody and satire. Lots of fun!
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Language
Original language
English
Physical description
346 p.; 9 x 5.98 inches
ISBN
1607620588 / 9781607620587