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rebeccazh's review against another edition
Had to reread this for a module I'm taking and I was surprised by how much I missed the first time round. It's a lot more revolutionary than it appears.
One of the biggest differences from what I remembered was that I used to think it was a love story. And I liked both Knightley and Emma. Now, I wouldn't call this a love story, because it's about Emma, the heroine of fancy and imagination. She's like a budding young author who goes around trying to rewrite everyone's narratives (and fails, because her world is too closed off from the outside world). This time rereading, I found that I didn't like Knightley. He's always moralising. I couldn't stand Emma at first, although I loved her characterisation, but I like who she became near the end of the novel. I think the romance in the novel is really actually secondary to Emma's story.
And the writing is so complex! The narrator's voice is really subtle at times. It's cool reading this the second round, because I see how much is packed into the writing. All the multiple layers of meanings, all the different characters' and their reactions and interpretations... Also, there were some parts that were just hilarious.
I liked Jane Fairfax a lot more than I remember. This book is really revolutionary, because Jane is what you would expect of a typical heroine. Her moral dilemma with Frank causes her so much distress and would make a pretty good novel by itself. And yet the story is about Emma. Spoilt, presumptuous, overly self-confident and overbearing Emma. I loved her as a character but didn't like her at all as a person, and still I would rather read about her than Jane.
One of the things that interested me was the way Austen viewed class hierarchies. She seemed to see the relationship between the gentry and the lower class in a similar way to the relationship between landlords and tenants. The gentry's duty is to be guardians of civility and manners, and to, in a way, take care of the lower classes. But, no matter how much good feeling exists between the two groups, they could never truly mix nor be equals. Knightley and Robert Martin are friends, and Knightley sort of guides and looks after Robert Martin, but he would never invite the latter to dinner.
So, on the surface, the story of a woman who realizes her mistakes and finds true love, but I think it's a lot more destabilising than that. It's about a woman who has to learn to balance her solipsistic inner world with the outer world, so that she can achieve a clarity in her understanding of the world.
One of the biggest differences from what I remembered was that I used to think it was a love story. And I liked both Knightley and Emma. Now, I wouldn't call this a love story, because it's about Emma, the heroine of fancy and imagination. She's like a budding young author who goes around trying to rewrite everyone's narratives (and fails, because her world is too closed off from the outside world). This time rereading, I found that I didn't like Knightley. He's always moralising. I couldn't stand Emma at first, although I loved her characterisation, but I like who she became near the end of the novel. I think the romance in the novel is really actually secondary to Emma's story.
And the writing is so complex! The narrator's voice is really subtle at times. It's cool reading this the second round, because I see how much is packed into the writing. All the multiple layers of meanings, all the different characters' and their reactions and interpretations... Also, there were some parts that were just hilarious.
I liked Jane Fairfax a lot more than I remember. This book is really revolutionary, because Jane is what you would expect of a typical heroine. Her moral dilemma with Frank causes her so much distress and would make a pretty good novel by itself. And yet the story is about Emma. Spoilt, presumptuous, overly self-confident and overbearing Emma. I loved her as a character but didn't like her at all as a person, and still I would rather read about her than Jane.
One of the things that interested me was the way Austen viewed class hierarchies. She seemed to see the relationship between the gentry and the lower class in a similar way to the relationship between landlords and tenants. The gentry's duty is to be guardians of civility and manners, and to, in a way, take care of the lower classes. But, no matter how much good feeling exists between the two groups, they could never truly mix nor be equals. Knightley and Robert Martin are friends, and Knightley sort of guides and looks after Robert Martin, but he would never invite the latter to dinner.
So, on the surface, the story of a woman who realizes her mistakes and finds true love, but I think it's a lot more destabilising than that. It's about a woman who has to learn to balance her solipsistic inner world with the outer world, so that she can achieve a clarity in her understanding of the world.
pepe_pepe's review against another edition
4.0
Maybe it's because I just read Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice, buuuuut I wasn't as enthralled with this manga adaptation of Emma. It was still pretty good though, hence the rating, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked.
The art, again, was good. Even though it's the same artist, I did prefer the art in the adaptation of P&P just a little bit more. The writing was also in the style of the original classic and was understandable but there were a few instances where I was a tad confused what was happening or what the characters were saying. This might be because I'm not as familiar with Emma as I was with P&P.
I think my enjoyment was a bit hampered because I don't like the characters and plot of Emma as much as P&P. I've watched the movie adaptation a couple of times but besides knowing who Emma, Mr Knightley and a couple of other characters are, I'm not very familiar with the plot. This was a good refresher for me, and I started remembering everything as the story went along. It also reminded me of how little actually happens in regards to the plot in the original novel.
The character sketches in between chapters were a fun and insightful little addition and the notes at the back were interesting to read. I think this manga adaptation of Emma will be perfect for anyone who either wants to refresh their memory, experience a classic in a new, unique format, or for someone completely new to the story.
3.5 stars rounded up
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The art, again, was good. Even though it's the same artist, I did prefer the art in the adaptation of P&P just a little bit more. The writing was also in the style of the original classic and was understandable but there were a few instances where I was a tad confused what was happening or what the characters were saying. This might be because I'm not as familiar with Emma as I was with P&P.
I think my enjoyment was a bit hampered because I don't like the characters and plot of Emma as much as P&P. I've watched the movie adaptation a couple of times but besides knowing who Emma, Mr Knightley and a couple of other characters are, I'm not very familiar with the plot. This was a good refresher for me, and I started remembering everything as the story went along. It also reminded me of how little actually happens in regards to the plot in the original novel.
The character sketches in between chapters were a fun and insightful little addition and the notes at the back were interesting to read. I think this manga adaptation of Emma will be perfect for anyone who either wants to refresh their memory, experience a classic in a new, unique format, or for someone completely new to the story.
3.5 stars rounded up
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
shermreads's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve always loved Austen’s writing, so it was no surprise to me that I loved this book & it’s protagonist. that being said, it was so excruciatingly painful to have to read page after page of the ramblings of Ms Bates and Mrs Elton — which is both a testament to the spot-on characterisation of these two characters & uniquely unpleasant as a reading experience.
natalija1210's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
isisiis's review against another edition
4.0
3,5
entertaining tbh, like it was good and stuff BUT i cant ignore the fact that it made me fall asleep like 3 times
entertaining tbh, like it was good and stuff BUT i cant ignore the fact that it made me fall asleep like 3 times
loro_30's review against another edition
¡Qué lástima que ya conociera la trama antes de abrir el libro, a raíz de las películas! Me ha impedido disfrutar de la novela de una forma que no habría creído capaz. He terminado abandonandola. Conocer lo que va a ocurrir hoja tras hoja hace de la lectura de Austen algo insoportable. Y es una pena, porque sé que me habría encantado la historia, quizá tanto como orgullo y prejuicio, que lo abrí sin ideas previas ni prejuicios. No puedo menos que recomendar a aquellos interesados en la obra de Austen que no vean ninguna de las peliculas basadas en sus novelas antes de abrirlas.
jupiterpeach's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
humatariq's review against another edition
4.0
Just finished reading the last 180 pages of the novel in one day... as if I was reading a thriller!! I wonder why I never got my hands on this book sooner, I have already read four other books by Austen.
SPOILERS Ahead. Consider yourself warned!!
Happy endings for everyone, in the signature Austen style. She has a habit of tying up all her stories with a neat little bow. It's a pity she died a spinster, undoubtedly she'd have made a very good wife.
As for the titular couple, can any two people be more suited for each other as these two who can convey so much just by glancing at each other:
"Emma had no opportunity of speaking to Mr. Knightley till after supper; but, when they were all in the ballroom again, her eyes invited him irresistibly to come to her and be thanked."
"It seemed as if there were an instantaneous impression in her favour, as if his eyes received the truth from her's, and all that had passed of good in her feelings were at once caught and honoured.— He looked at her with a glow of regard."
"He stopped in his earnestness to look the question, and the expression of his eyes overpowered her."
I know the book was called Emma, but I wish there were more conversations between Knightley and Emma. We didn't even get a straight reply to his beautiful proposal...only her thought process as she considered accepting it. More dialogues perhaps!!
SPOILERS Ahead. Consider yourself warned!!
Happy endings for everyone, in the signature Austen style. She has a habit of tying up all her stories with a neat little bow. It's a pity she died a spinster, undoubtedly she'd have made a very good wife.
As for the titular couple, can any two people be more suited for each other as these two who can convey so much just by glancing at each other:
"Emma had no opportunity of speaking to Mr. Knightley till after supper; but, when they were all in the ballroom again, her eyes invited him irresistibly to come to her and be thanked."
"It seemed as if there were an instantaneous impression in her favour, as if his eyes received the truth from her's, and all that had passed of good in her feelings were at once caught and honoured.— He looked at her with a glow of regard."
"He stopped in his earnestness to look the question, and the expression of his eyes overpowered her."
I know the book was called Emma, but I wish there were more conversations between Knightley and Emma. We didn't even get a straight reply to his beautiful proposal...only her thought process as she considered accepting it. More dialogues perhaps!!
britbooks's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.5
ffocus1139's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25