In particular, it explains the relationship between Northanger Abbey and gothic novels, a genre with which I am entirely unfamiliar. The introduction provides something that we modern readers sorely lack, context. It provides a breadth to the Austen experience unavailable from a single novel, and unlike some editions of her work, I actually found the critical opinions in this edition helpful. Reading four of Austen's works, two of which are unfinished drafts, all in one volume was very interesting. Though I considered Sense and Sensibility somewhat disappointing, Emma more than made up for it, and now Northanger Abbey has only confirmed this opinion. Since Middlemarch I've come a long way and read a lot more of Austen's works, and while Eliot's novel remains uneclipsed by Austen's novels, my awe and appreciation of Austen's abilities has only increased. Today I would like to apologize to Miss Austen. What can I say? I was young and stupid two years ago! I've talked smack about Jane Austen before, not so much to discount her ability as a writer-if you question that, then oh, we will throw down-but to compare her unfavourably to George Eliot.
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