Northanger Abbey -Jane Austen - anyone not like it?

[Bouquetsofdynomite]

I've just read this and thought it was great fun, so much sillier than her later books. But I am crap at litcrit - if I'm enjoying something I'm totally blind to its shortcomings. Would be really interested to hear any arguments not in its favour.

I did it for O'Level, and loathed it. I'm no good at litcrit either, but would recommend "The Mysteries of Udolpho" or any of the other Gothic novels it satirises, as a whole lot more fun .

Out of all of Austen's work, its the novel I liked the least. It just doesn't have the depth of character that some of the others do. My favourites are Persuasion and Sense and Sensibility. But with Persuasion she was older and sadder herself I think when she wrote it. Northhanger Abbey came earlier and certainly has a more light hearted tone, so a reader is encouraged to laugh at the heroine's silliness. But Catherine Morland just got on my nerves to be honest!