Northranger: A Modern Graphic Novel Retelling of Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey

As a person who just came out as bisexual, I felt this book was very relatable, with people being homophobic, and with the family heartbreak and drama. At first, I thought this book would be similar to a traditional homosexual fairytale, but it wasn’t. Be prepared for some tears, laughs, and some plot twists. I definitely recommend this! 🏳️‍🌈❤️

I haven't read Austen's Northranger (and am not a fan of Austen to begin with), but I don't think this hampered my enjoyment from 'Northranger'. The first half of this graphic novel was the best in my view - the mysterious vibe is full on display and I wanted to know more about the characters and the setting. The big reveal at the end was a bit of a let down (again, I didn't read the original so don't know how it compares), but overall this is a great graphic novel with LGBT themes.

Have you noticed that good art can make us really uncomfortable? Take a supposedly light piece of entertainment like NORTHRANGER, a queer YA gothic romance graphic novel that transplants Jane Austen's NORTHANGER ABBEY (1817) to present-day rural Texas. The plot is pure hokum -- a wealthy, secretive family, a gloomy ranch house, rumors of mysterious deaths and disappearances -- but the emotions are raw, and all too real. Racism, homophobia, self-loathing, and lying to yourself about your own feelings: all that gets woven into the slow burn romance of star-crossed lovers Cade Muñoz and Henry Tyler, teens who have to figure out how to live their own lives, not the lives their families expect of them. Unlike our young leads, I wasn't raised in a rural, religious community where queer people weren't supposed to exist, but even my relatively advantageous upbringing was no walk in the park for a gay kid. Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo -- a queer Latinx writer and a queer black artist -- depict that painful teenage emotional territory realistically, but without self-pity; the reader isn't forced to wallow in it. As in real life, things get better. I liked the simple, sepia-toned coloring; it lends an "old movie" vibe to the expressive artwork (Austen's gothic novel-obsessed heroine is now a shy Latinx boy obsessed with classic horror movies). The story takes its time to get where it's going, but never drags; we get to know these characters well, and to know Cade and Henry is to love them, for all their flaws.

I liked reading the Retelling of Jane Austen's Northranger Abbey. It was really good, especially the relationship between Cade and Henry.

Two lovable and whole some main characters and so many true and genuine issues faced. This comic is a wonderful story that brings such realistic struggles. Excellent art style and great flow overall. Not only do we see a young romance bloom in such a warm way but we also see so many elements of mystery and just a few touches of heartbreak that create such a perfect story. There’s just the perfect blend of mystery, minor horror, and drama to even out the romance factor. The only real complaint that could be justified is that the story’s a bit too short and deserves to be continued.

As a fellow horror movie addict I can vouch that nothing is scarier than fearing that the people you love the most do not accept the real you for who you are.

Very cute story yet so deep. If a show gets really wild I have to pause and mentally prepare myself for the juicy plot that’s about to unfold. This did it for me, if a show or a story can do that to me it’s definitely 10/10. They didn’t pull any punches, any can happen in this story. So many twists and turns.

This book arrived very quickly, but there’s water damage. The tops of the first 90 pages are warped, and some are discolored. I was planning to donate it when I’m finished reading it, but I work in a library and we would not circulate a book in this condition. It was well packaged and I picked it up within an hour of it being dropped at my front door. There’s no rain today. It was put into the package like this. Displeased.

Northranger is an absolute delight to read as a comic book. The illustrations are stunning, bringing the story to life with rich detail and emotion. The narrative is well-organised, making it easy to follow and deeply engaging. The story follows two boys from vastly different backgrounds who, despite their struggles, find love and understanding in each other. Their journey is both heartwarming and emotional, tackling themes of identity, family expectations, and self-acceptance in a way that feels authentic and deeply moving. I highly recommend Northranger—it is a beautifully crafted graphic novel that stays with you long after you finish it!

Lovely story! Art style was nice. Story was gripping! Can we have this as a series?!?