Reviews

Emma, by Jane Austen

daisymama's review against another edition

4.0

I really enjoyed Emma, but I would have enjoyed it even more had I not seen the movie so many times - I knew what was going to happen, so none of the twists and turns were surprising, and I couldn't get the movie's characters out of my head enough to know how I would have pictured the book's characters on my own.
This was the first Jane Austen book I've read; I really enjoyed her style and am looking forward to reading more... and annoyed at myself for watching Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park too many times already!

geobookreads_'s review against another edition

relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.25

Emma, a book full of character driven development, relaxing, can be adventurous at times. This is a good book but there could be more potential.

_clack's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

balfies's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.75

It's taken me a few goes over the years to get into Emma but something clicked this time, and I had a rollicking good time with it. Austen really can write gossip well. 

I'm.... enamoured with Mrs Elton. A truly delightful bore. Wickedly insufferable character. Emma and Knightley were delightful, of course, and Mr Woodhouse is a comedic triumph. 

Anyway, I now want the words "if I liked you less I might be able to talk about it more" tattooed on my forehead.

misosoupp31's review against another edition

funny lighthearted 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

much better the second time

slferg's review against another edition

5.0

I've read this quite a few times. I read it again because I'm currently reading 'The Real Jane Austen'. Several things the author of that book states made me curious to read again several Jane Austen books now.

talina's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

It’s crazy that a book that is 207 years old can still feel this fresh

panda_incognito's review against another edition

4.0

Mom and I watched three different film and TV adaptations of Emma in one week, thanks to quarantine, and as we discussed the differences between them, I found that I wasn't even sure about some elements of the book, since I hadn't read it in several years.

I have now read it again, and I got through it much more quickly and with greater pleasure than before, since I am older now. Also, on further reflection, I realize that part of why I have such an enduring appreciation of this story, while Pride and Prejudice was more of a phase for me, is because Emma has so much in common with a mystery novel. It's hardly thrilling, and all of the intrigues are of a thoroughly domestic sort, but Jane Austen's brilliant red herrings and excellently placed distractions make the story of Emma's journey to self-awareness far more entertaining than it would be otherwise.

This is good literature, and it is often quite comic, but what I like most isn't the glimpse into a past society, the humor, or the romance. Even though this book includes my favorite Austen love interest by far, Austen's ingenious misdirection is the reason why I find it so entertaining. There are so many subtle cues to observe that the story bears many repetitions, and I am glad that I have now reread the book, instead of only watching the 2009 miniseries again and again.

almablui's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.25

qwordyq's review against another edition

3.0

Okay. I would have liked this better if not for this absolutely horrendous robotic audiobook narrator. Literally, it sounded like she was just reading a school paper. There were no inflections, no characterizations, it was a bland and empty reading of a story meant to be comedic, dramatic, and romantic. I got none of that from this audiobook. I am lucky to already know the story well enough and by reading along with some of the text am much more satisfied in that way. If you ever come across the audiobook version read by Maria Therese, put it back. Put it away. Find a different copy. It's horrendous.

Also, i'm so sick of age gaps. I don't care if that's how it was. It's fucking creepy. Knightley is 16 years older than her and has known her since she was a BABY?!?!? Okay Jacob Black....