Book Talk

This month, Book Talk has been reading and discussing Northanger Abbey by Val McDermid, a modern re-imagining of the Jane Austen classic. This is the second release from the Austen Project, which pairs six bestselling contemporary authors with Jane Austen’s six complete works. Seventeen-year-old Catherine 'Cat' Morland has led a sheltered existence in rural Dorset, a life entirely bereft of the romance and excitement for which she yearns. So when Cat's wealthy neighbours, the Allens, invite her to the Edinburgh Festival, she is sure adventure beckons. Sasha de Buyl is joined by Scottish crime writer, Alex Gray, and reader, Julie Amphlett to discuss how successful McDermid has been in bringing Austen's novel into the 21st century. Launched in 2013 with Joanna Trollope's Sense & Sensibility, The Austen Project has generated much discussion among critics and readers as they debate the merits of "reimagined" titles. The panel touch upon McDermid's updates to the original story, including the use of soci