carlylwbug's review against another edition
4.0
I began reading Emma whilst watching the YouTube mini series, Emma Approved. I thought it would be a good idea to read the book and watch the series side by side. I first started out very far ahead in the mini series but as the book got more interesting I surpassed the series and as of right now finished the book before the mini series!
I found it hard to get into, but I know this is the case for many Jane Austen books and me. As soon as Frank Churchill's character entered it soon became more entertaining and instead of reading maybe five pages a night, I was reading 50 and finding it quite hard to put down. I quite enjoyed the book, even though I already had a faint idea of the plot from reading spoiler ridden comments on the mini series.
One of my favorite quotes in the whole book is:
"Why really, dear Emma, I say that he is so very much occupied by the idea of not being in love with her, that I should not wonder if it were to end in his being so at last. Do not beat me."
The mini series is also great and it puts a modern take on everything! I strongly suggest it since it builds to the characters of the book and makes them seem more realistic.
I found it hard to get into, but I know this is the case for many Jane Austen books and me. As soon as Frank Churchill's character entered it soon became more entertaining and instead of reading maybe five pages a night, I was reading 50 and finding it quite hard to put down. I quite enjoyed the book, even though I already had a faint idea of the plot from reading spoiler ridden comments on the mini series.
One of my favorite quotes in the whole book is:
"Why really, dear Emma, I say that he is so very much occupied by the idea of not being in love with her, that I should not wonder if it were to end in his being so at last. Do not beat me."
The mini series is also great and it puts a modern take on everything! I strongly suggest it since it builds to the characters of the book and makes them seem more realistic.
njhoefs's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jinxy9's review against another edition
5.0
"I cannot make speeches, Emma...If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more."
all time favorite (I think)
all time favorite (I think)
rani_reeds's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cowboylikepayton's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
archiveofrasa's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
perhaps this shouldn't have been the first Jane Austen book I started with, but that notion of a "heroine whom no one but myself will much like" drew me in; like, I wanted to know what kind of person only Austen would like, okay!! as a result, it did take me a while to get through this book, but I wouldn't necessarily blame it by any means. the plot was entertaining, I just had school 😔
Emma is always portrayed to be this intentionally annoying character, but I actually really liked her and empathised with the decisions she made, even if they weren't very good ones. her development was steady, not very quick or "ah-ha!" like, but not every story needed that and for this type of story, I think this gradual change was fitting. Harriet was just so cute and adorable and I loved whenever she would come into a scene; her development into making decisions for herself was nice, even if it was a lot nearer to the end. Mr Knightley – he was okay? like I definitely didn't hate him; I liked how he is Emma's critic in whatever she does and provides her other perspectives she hasn't considered, but I think I would've liked him with Emma more if he wasn't, like, sixteen years her senior and didn't say that one line. you know that one; we didn't need that ðŸ˜
I know a lot of people say this is one of her funniest works, but I guess my autistic self was more interested in the social cues the characters mentioned and how that impacted the way they would interact with each other (or how they would judge each other); e.g. the way her friendship with Harriet is written – a lot of class context and internal feelings (+ external factors like Emma feeling abandoned by Miss Taylor after she gets married) need to be considered before outright stating that Emma is a horrible person. the narrative of Emma was really well done, found myself thoroughly entertained by it and how it spoke of everything going on.
my criticism does lie in the racism and classism of Romani people near the middle-end; I understand the time it was written in but even then, it's good to point it out and acknowledge that it's not okay. this is one of my primary issues with a lot of classics and how I, as someone who isn't white, feel distanced from really connecting with them like privileged people are able to do.
despite this, how long it took to read, understand and grow accustomed to the language, I very much enjoyed the experience and am definitely rereading this at a later time to be able to properly grasp the concepts and themes. but if you're just starting to get into Austen: maybe don't start with this one ðŸ˜
Emma is always portrayed to be this intentionally annoying character, but I actually really liked her and empathised with the decisions she made, even if they weren't very good ones. her development was steady, not very quick or "ah-ha!" like, but not every story needed that and for this type of story, I think this gradual change was fitting. Harriet was just so cute and adorable and I loved whenever she would come into a scene; her development into making decisions for herself was nice, even if it was a lot nearer to the end. Mr Knightley – he was okay? like I definitely didn't hate him; I liked how he is Emma's critic in whatever she does and provides her other perspectives she hasn't considered, but I think I would've liked him with Emma more if he wasn't, like, sixteen years her senior and didn't say that one line. you know that one;
Spoiler
"[I] have been in love with you ever since you were thirteen at least."I know a lot of people say this is one of her funniest works, but I guess my autistic self was more interested in the social cues the characters mentioned and how that impacted the way they would interact with each other (or how they would judge each other); e.g. the way her friendship with Harriet is written – a lot of class context and internal feelings (+ external factors like Emma feeling abandoned by Miss Taylor after she gets married) need to be considered before outright stating that Emma is a horrible person. the narrative of Emma was really well done, found myself thoroughly entertained by it and how it spoke of everything going on.
my criticism does lie in the racism and classism of Romani people near the middle-end; I understand the time it was written in but even then, it's good to point it out and acknowledge that it's not okay. this is one of my primary issues with a lot of classics and how I, as someone who isn't white, feel distanced from really connecting with them like privileged people are able to do.
despite this, how long it took to read, understand and grow accustomed to the language, I very much enjoyed the experience and am definitely rereading this at a later time to be able to properly grasp the concepts and themes. but if you're just starting to get into Austen: maybe don't start with this one ðŸ˜
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Racial slurs
emily_bg's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The story follows Emma Woodhouse, Emma takes the credit for the marriage of her governess and decides she enjoys matchmaking. Emma attempts to match her new friend Harriet Smith, which leads to disaster and unforseen consequences.
Emma is at times spoiled and bratty and shallow but eventually comes to see the errors in her behaviourÂ
Emma is at times spoiled and bratty and shallow but eventually comes to see the errors in her behaviourÂ
katylang's review against another edition
5.0
One of my all-time favorites! A feel-good, relatively quick read that wraps you up in the endearing, hilarious, and emotional Austen world and ends with a neat little bow.
livderesti's review against another edition
these people must’ve had jacked tongues after all the unnecessary talking they do
yvieharris's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
let’s just pretend they’re both in their twenties