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
chaya_v's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
It took my time to read this on purpose, it my first reading Jane Austen and I wanted to give it the proper attention. I only read when I was awake and concentrated enough.
Overall it was an enjoyable experience. As to the characters, well Emma, there’re so many reasons to dislike her and yet you grow attached to her. I was at many times so sad of Harriet’s treatment, I really enjoyed her except for her worship of Emma. I do understand these things were done on purpose but I’m merely talking about how I felt about those things.
I loved the romance, I started rooting for them at like 60% of the book. I quite like how the story ends actually.
But Emma didn’t rock my world which is why this is three stars. Solid read would recommend but I’m not overly amazed.
Overall it was an enjoyable experience. As to the characters, well Emma, there’re so many reasons to dislike her and yet you grow attached to her. I was at many times so sad of Harriet’s treatment, I really enjoyed her except for her worship of Emma. I do understand these things were done on purpose but I’m merely talking about how I felt about those things.
I loved the romance, I started rooting for them at like 60% of the book. I quite like how the story ends actually.
But Emma didn’t rock my world which is why this is three stars. Solid read would recommend but I’m not overly amazed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Misogyny
remuslibrary's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
rokinjaguar's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
3.0
This book is kind of interesting to me, because it was well-written and clever and funny, but like 90% of the time I was reading it I would much rather be reading a different book. But like I don’t regret reading it.
It was extremely boring at times and it took me a long time and lots of discipline to get through, but I had kind of a good time. The good outweighs the bad just enough to make it slightly higher than a neutral 2.5 stars.Â
There was nothing that made me angry or irritated with the book, which is a fair enough feat in itself, and I really liked relating with the characters in such a lighthearted and stakes-free way.Â
It was extremely boring at times and it took me a long time and lots of discipline to get through, but I had kind of a good time. The good outweighs the bad just enough to make it slightly higher than a neutral 2.5 stars.Â
There was nothing that made me angry or irritated with the book, which is a fair enough feat in itself, and I really liked relating with the characters in such a lighthearted and stakes-free way.Â
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Death
blewballoon's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
I think I enjoyed this as much as Pride and Prejudice. I love a friends to lovers romance, so that aspect was great for me. I thought the insufferable characters were less insufferable than some other Austen novels, and the quirks of characters were more endearing to me than annoying. Miss Bates never annoyed me, I just loved her. My only complaint I think is with the classism, but that's a product of the time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
ylienna'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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Classism, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Death of parent and Death
emmi_lee's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Toxic friendship, Classism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Death and Pregnancy
nesnedis's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
È un bel libro, però cazzo se è LENTO.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
yeah so the fact that he was in love with her when she was like 13 doesn't sit right with me and the four starts are for emma and emma only bc she is an icon and i love her
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, and Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Racism
Minor: Death, Racial slurs, and Death of parent
madamenovelist's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racial slurs
Moderate: Xenophobia
The only slur in this book is the g-word for Romani people in one portion of narrative. Rather jarring for first-time readers since the rest of the book is quite wholesome.