Northanger Abbey is the first of Austen's novels in order of completion. The story revolves around Catherine Morland, the young and naive willing victim of the contemporary craze for Gothic literature who is determined to see herself as the heroine of a dark and thrilling romance. In this novel, perceptive social observation and incisive wit are combined with a satire of the Gothic novel, as Catherine's overactive imagination, stimulated by her extensive reading of these popular books, shapes her view of the world and leads her to jump to incorrect conclusions. Catherine eventually triumphs, blossoming into a discerning woman who learns truths about love, life, and the heady power of literature.

Written in 1798, but not published until after Austen's death in 1817, the novel has captivated generations of readers and is still widely read and studied today.