This is my first reading of NA; I had only watched the 2 movie adaptations. I was not particularly taken with the story, and had put off reading the book to later, maybe. BOY am I glad I saw the announcement of the NA - GR. What a wonderful novel, and a great GR; thanks everyone!

So, given that quite limited exposure to NA, I feel sympathetic toward Isabella. In last year's NA 2, I feel that Andrew Davis, who wrote the screenplay, was quite in sympathy with Isabella, too. Perhaps that's where I got it? I do know that I have less sympathy for her now, after having read the book, but still...

I feel that she was a product of her family and her times. I don't LIKE her, but I feel sorry for how badly she was treated by Captain T; she would be considered "ruined" in the same way as Mary Crawford in MP. She would have NO FUTURE, in other words. I'm also sorry that she, through her own actions, lost the friendship of Catherine, who MIGHT have been a good influence on her, given enough time.