Is a Loveless Marriage Worse Than Oppressed Tyranny?

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Author

TYPE OF NOVEL: Northanger Abbey Secondary Character

THE PREMISE: Eleanor marries and becomes a Viscountess at the end of Northanger Abbey. But what is her story? Who is the gentleman she partial to? How do they both deal being attached but knowing the General would never sanction their match? Heather Moll provides some answers…

WHAT I LOVED:

• It’s Northanger Abbey: We need more Northanger Abbey books published! I feel like Northanger Abbey and Mansfied Park are the two major Austen works we see significantly less Austenesque works published. So needless to say, I’m grateful to Heather Moll for picking up her pen to help correct the deficit.

• It’s Eleanor: And not only is Ms. Moll giving readers a story about one of Jane Austen’s more neglected works, she is choosing to write about a secondary character! And not just any secondary character – but one who readers are already endeared towards and who very much deserves to be the heroine of her own story. There is so much to admire about Eleanor – she is sensible, sensitive, and a steadfast friend.

• Realistic and Troubling Limitations: As the cover suggests, Heather Moll portrays Eleanor as “the real gothic heroine of Northanger Abbey.” And to be sure Eleanor’s life seems to be a horrifying nightmare. The general is tyrannical, unfeeling, harsh, and demeaning. And as a dependent woman of her time, Eleanor has precious little she can do about it. Her predicament and choices illustrate the oppression, the suffering, the hopelessness, and the desperation a woman can feel in this situation. I felt such sympathy and compassion for Eleanor. Her decisions to try and steer her life in new directions felt justifiable and credible.

• The Anonymous Viscount: A steady, thoughtful, and uncomplicated type of hero – Philip Barlow is a gentleman with a small income and no profession. He lives simply and enjoys occupying his time with the study of advance mathematics. I appreciated Philip’s evolution of emotions throughout this novel. His feelings of disappointment and anger felt authentic and understandable. However, I loved seeing his sincere regard and respect for Eleanor and his brotherly devotion and admiration for his cousin Lord Vaughn even more.

• Eleanor’s Thoughts: I love how Heather Moll showed us the inner workings of Eleanor’s mind as she tries to cope with her even bleaker living conditions and contemplates marrying someone she doesn’t love. Her words are incredibly poignant and eloquent:

“I think my feelings are too oppressed now even for tears.”

“How much of myself do I have to suppress to be around my father.”

“I am a strong woman even if I have no power.”

That last one… what a mantra to live by. 😮

WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:

• Balance:  The scenes of General Tilney’s cruelty are so painful to witness and bring about such darkness and negativity, that to balance such ugly energy a few more scenes of love and light are needed. In addition, a lot of Eleanor’s and Philip’s romance is told to the reader (since their relationship predates this novel). I wouldn’t have minded more showing – maybe with some flashbacks to pivotal moments of them falling in love? I think that would have brought about an even stronger emotional connection for the reader.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

✨  One of Jane Austen’s most intiguing and worthy secret heroines steps onto center stage.

👿   I didn’t know it was possible, but somehow General Tilney can become even more atrociously loathsome.

💪🏼  A sympathetic exploration of a dependent woman’s limited liberties, challenging choices, and enduring strength.

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