] ] Northanger Abbey was originally titled Susan and was written in 1798-99 when Jane Austen was around 24.

... that - apart from substituting Catherine for Susan- one thing Jane Austen did in 1816(?) to make NA more up to date was add another more recently published novel to the list in defence of novelreading, possibly Belinda? But else I agree with you that there seems to be a young and mischievous, (even happier?) writer behind this work.

] ...so in reality it really reflects the youngest writing skill in a full novel even though it was published post-humerously. When I read it, I'm inclined to agree - it always seems much younger than her other books, especially the intrusions of the author herself talking to the audience.