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Awesomely Austen
Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey
A fresh, funny and accessible retelling of Jane Austen's classic story, with witty black and white illustrations throughout.
Catherine Morland loves nothing more than reading a romantic novel, but as one of ten children she doesn't have much time for reading or for romance.
When she is seventeen, her wealthy neighbours invite her to spend the winter season with them in Bath - to experience balls, the theatre and other social delights for the first time.
Catherine makes friends with the passionate Isabella, and dances with a handsome man called Henry, and it seems that all her dreams are coming true. But real life doesn't always play out like a novel, and Catherine will have to overcome many obstacles before she can find her happy ending ...
Eglantine Ceulemans captures all of Austen's satire and wit, bringing her colourful casts to life with warm and funny black and white illustrations.
Illustrated and retold editions are also available for: Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park. The perfect way to discover Austen for the first time, this bright and bold collection features some of the most inspiring and famous heroines in English literature. For readers aged eight and up.
Catherine Morland loves nothing more than reading a romantic novel, but as one of ten children she doesn't have much time for reading or for romance.
When she is seventeen, her wealthy neighbours invite her to spend the winter season with them in Bath - to experience balls, the theatre and other social delights for the first time.
Catherine makes friends with the passionate Isabella, and dances with a handsome man called Henry, and it seems that all her dreams are coming true. But real life doesn't always play out like a novel, and Catherine will have to overcome many obstacles before she can find her happy ending ...
Eglantine Ceulemans captures all of Austen's satire and wit, bringing her colourful casts to life with warm and funny black and white illustrations.
Illustrated and retold editions are also available for: Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Persuasion, Sense and Sensibility, and Mansfield Park. The perfect way to discover Austen for the first time, this bright and bold collection features some of the most inspiring and famous heroines in English literature. For readers aged eight and up.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2020
5 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Steven Butler
132 books40 followersSteven is the award-winning author of the Nothing To See Here Hotel series (winner of the Sainsbury's Fiction Prize; shortlisted for the Laugh-Out-Loud "Lollies" award and Alligator's Mouth award; featured on W.H Smith's Tom Fletcher Bookclub), The Wrong Pong series (shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize), his new adaptation of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey for Hachette's Awesomely Austen series, and his comedy collaboration with American author, James Patterson, the Dog Diaries series.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 9, 2025
This was well done, I feel like I truly read the whole of Northanger Abbey.
October 31, 2023
I like Henry Tilney a lot and his sister too. I think his father is kind of mean though. I kinda like Mrs. Thorpe and I did like Isabella.
January 17, 2021
What a wonderful retelling to expose a younger audience to the writing of Jane Austen. An easy to read text but with the same detail to characterisation. A lovely glimpse into society for Middle Grade readers.
September 30, 2025
Molto carino, credo che invogli i ragazzi a leggere Jane Austen. Qualche piccolissima imprecisione, ma ci sta.
December 18, 2023
The only excuse for reading an "abridgement" or a "retelling" is that it is much, much shorter. If I had wanted to read a book this long, I would have read Jane Austen's original.
December 17, 2023
Having read several of the Awesomely Austen series, I think this one is the best, although that is rather damning with faint praise. Mr Butler admits coming late to Austen - in fact, he sems to have read NA purley because he was asked to write this book. Or he claims to read NA - I have a faint suspicion that he actually watched the 2007 film adaptation.
Even before the book begins properly, there is an error; in the Tilney 'family tree' which is provided, Captain Frederick Tilney is described as a 'captain in the navy'. Even though this a minor character and the mistake doesn't affect the story in any way, if you read the book there are at least a couple of references which make it quite clear Frederick Tilney is a captain in the Army. Then at the end of the book, there is a scene between Catherine and Henry which is definitely in the film but not the book. These aren't really issues and I think the author does a reasonable job of retelling the story for children, although it has to said that NA is the 'easiest' of Austen's novels.
Even before the book begins properly, there is an error; in the Tilney 'family tree' which is provided, Captain Frederick Tilney is described as a 'captain in the navy'. Even though this a minor character and the mistake doesn't affect the story in any way, if you read the book there are at least a couple of references which make it quite clear Frederick Tilney is a captain in the Army. Then at the end of the book, there is a scene between Catherine and Henry which is definitely in the film but not the book. These aren't really issues and I think the author does a reasonable job of retelling the story for children, although it has to said that NA is the 'easiest' of Austen's novels.
January 6, 2021
Wonderful start to the year!
I love this little collection of retellings, I’m definitely going to collect them all so that I can pass them down to my children.
Can’t beat the Lady, the Myth, the Legend, Jane Austen.
I love this little collection of retellings, I’m definitely going to collect them all so that I can pass them down to my children.
Can’t beat the Lady, the Myth, the Legend, Jane Austen.
December 2, 2020
From September 2019 to October 2020, we were treated to a series of splendid illustrated books, drawn by Églantine Ceulemans, collectively entitled “Awesomely Austen – Illustrated and Retold.” The series features all of Austen’s completed novels, repackaged as enjoyable children’s books, seeking to introduce the delights of Jane Austen to a younger generation while also entertaining long-time fans.
Since these books are aimed primarily at children and young adults, Jane Austen’s most memorable quotes are understandably absent. Written in Regency-era “British” English, Austen’s original prose may be difficult for younger readers to fully appreciate.
As such, long-time fans should not expect to read such iconic and deliciously witty statements as Pride and Prejudice's “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" or Emma's “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.”
In their place are wonderful retellings done in a language more accessible to their target audience, accompanied by Ms. Ceuleman’s charmingly quirky illustrations.
“Northanger Abbey” (October 2020, Holder’s Children’s Books) is the last of Austen’s six novels to receive the children’s book treatment.
Wonderfully retold by Steven Butler, “Northanger Abbey” follows Catherine Morland, a relatively unremarkable young woman, born into your average English family, who had no distinguishing feature other than an overpowering need for decidedly “non-lady-like” adventures and a penchant for reading Gothic novels.
While her contemporaries spent much time honing the skills and arts needed to marry well – mastering a foreign language, playing the pianoforte, practicing needlework or painting – Catherine could be found imagining herself the heroine in some romantic exploit set in eerie crumbling castles or ghostly manors.
Life eventually revealed itself to be more “normal” than she would have desired. But not before Catherine found herself in uniquely complicated situations – owing to her over-active imagination – which would have rivaled even those she read in those Gothic novels.
These children’s books retain the spirit of Austen’s wicked wit, insightful social commentary, and ahead-of-its-time focus on strong female protagonists.
In this way, the “Awesomely Austen” series provides a wonderful venue for a new generation readers to discover the delights of Jane Austen, ensuring that her legacy will live on for generations to come.
Since these books are aimed primarily at children and young adults, Jane Austen’s most memorable quotes are understandably absent. Written in Regency-era “British” English, Austen’s original prose may be difficult for younger readers to fully appreciate.
As such, long-time fans should not expect to read such iconic and deliciously witty statements as Pride and Prejudice's “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife" or Emma's “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.”
In their place are wonderful retellings done in a language more accessible to their target audience, accompanied by Ms. Ceuleman’s charmingly quirky illustrations.
“Northanger Abbey” (October 2020, Holder’s Children’s Books) is the last of Austen’s six novels to receive the children’s book treatment.
Wonderfully retold by Steven Butler, “Northanger Abbey” follows Catherine Morland, a relatively unremarkable young woman, born into your average English family, who had no distinguishing feature other than an overpowering need for decidedly “non-lady-like” adventures and a penchant for reading Gothic novels.
While her contemporaries spent much time honing the skills and arts needed to marry well – mastering a foreign language, playing the pianoforte, practicing needlework or painting – Catherine could be found imagining herself the heroine in some romantic exploit set in eerie crumbling castles or ghostly manors.
Life eventually revealed itself to be more “normal” than she would have desired. But not before Catherine found herself in uniquely complicated situations – owing to her over-active imagination – which would have rivaled even those she read in those Gothic novels.
These children’s books retain the spirit of Austen’s wicked wit, insightful social commentary, and ahead-of-its-time focus on strong female protagonists.
In this way, the “Awesomely Austen” series provides a wonderful venue for a new generation readers to discover the delights of Jane Austen, ensuring that her legacy will live on for generations to come.
January 11, 2023
Very cute retelling of this story! Approachable and easy to read, this is a great way to introduce someone to Jane Austen's genius.
I loved the Pride and Prejudice version of these retellings, but this one fell a tiny bit short. The only thing was that in modernizing the language, we miss a lot of Austen's wit and humor. As this is one of the shortest of her novels, I think the original is a better alternative.
But still, it was a lot of fun!
I loved the Pride and Prejudice version of these retellings, but this one fell a tiny bit short. The only thing was that in modernizing the language, we miss a lot of Austen's wit and humor. As this is one of the shortest of her novels, I think the original is a better alternative.
But still, it was a lot of fun!
January 28, 2022
Another great Austen novel rewritten for the YA market. This has to be my favourite Austen novel and I will read the Jabe Austen version. Sometime this year. A great series of books to get you interested in Austen's world. I have found them to be funnier than I thought they would be and some of the characters you either love or loath. A great way to spend a rainy weekend
October 1, 2023
I absolutely identify myself as Catherine Morland. Loved the character description and I could relate with her a loooottttttt. Loved it more than the popular "Pride and Prejudice". Awesomely Austen is such a nice initiative big kudos to Hachette!
March 9, 2021
3.5.
I liked the interpretation, but as my least favorite austen novel, it was always going to get the lowest rating. This whole series was a great idea. Loved it.
I liked the interpretation, but as my least favorite austen novel, it was always going to get the lowest rating. This whole series was a great idea. Loved it.
October 21, 2023
This series is perfect for my middle grade classroom. I love it!
August 21, 2024
I'm an Austen fan and this was a fun beginner entry.
September 23, 2024
Não gostei muito da história, achei bem chatinha, mas é nem escrita.
April 7, 2025
My favourite out of the series so far!
February 28, 2021
This was a beautiful addition to Jane Austen's NorthAnger Abbey. The illustrations are unique. They give the impression of Regency times while also having a hint of humor in them. The Author by adapting the original story has made it more accessible to a new audience and younger audience.
Our heroine, Catherine loves reading and has an interest in mystery particularly Gothic Mysteries. So when she visits her friends at NorthAnger Abbey she believes she may have arrived in the middle of her own Gothic Mystery. Of course being a Jane Austen book there is romance, mishaps & misunderstandings.
I know a lot people gravitate towards Austen's three most famous heroines, Elizabeth, Emma and Marianne but let's give her other heroines a chance starting with Catherine, she may just surprise you.
Our heroine, Catherine loves reading and has an interest in mystery particularly Gothic Mysteries. So when she visits her friends at NorthAnger Abbey she believes she may have arrived in the middle of her own Gothic Mystery. Of course being a Jane Austen book there is romance, mishaps & misunderstandings.
I know a lot people gravitate towards Austen's three most famous heroines, Elizabeth, Emma and Marianne but let's give her other heroines a chance starting with Catherine, she may just surprise you.
December 31, 2021
This is the second book in the Awesomely Austen series that I have picked up and I have to say it was better than the first. This is because Northanger Abbey lends itself more to a child friendly retelling, the narrative style of the book being more playful than Sense and Sensibility’s. Catherine is a lovely heroine, naive and kind, who grows over the novel. I would really recommend this book for introducing younger audiences to Austen.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews