hannahbailey's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
TW: sexism, classism and gypsy/traveller stereotypes
Jane, I'm so sorry I didn't like this. I just visited your house and loved it. You're a feminist icon! But wow, this book is long and boring. I did enjoy Pride and Prejudice though, so I'm not an Austen hater. This book just wasn't for me.
People that know me know I hate long sentences. Punctuation is free to use guys, you don't have to fill a whole page with your monologue. Taking a breath is ok. Letting someone else speak every once in a while is ok. What's not ok is saying something in five paragraphs that could be said in one line! The way this novel was written combined with the very dry subject matter made it an absolute SLOG to get through. If it wasn't a renowned and popular classic written by a woman, I would've dnf'd. I like to support women where I can 😌
I would say that some parts were enjoyable and it did feel ahead of its time. The women were often outspoken and sometimes cheeky and unafraid to turn down a marriage proposal. Most of them showed independence of thought and self, which was quite refreshing. Some of the characters were endearing and likeable, but most of them were snobby and uptight. Every new character introduced was more boring and annoying than the last. It's a surprise that I managed to get through the whole thing. Emma was especially judgemental and liked to categorise people by their class, which was always lower than her own. The Tory party would love her!
I can appreciate this was a gentle critique of marital arrangements and women's place in society at the time, but Austen could not keep me engaged nor interested in what was going on. Which, to be fair, wasn't much, given that rich people back then seemed to do nothing other than visit each other's houses and look down upon the poor. And if it was bad weather, write to each other instead. Rather similar to now I suppose.
Jane, I'm so sorry I didn't like this. I just visited your house and loved it. You're a feminist icon! But wow, this book is long and boring. I did enjoy Pride and Prejudice though, so I'm not an Austen hater. This book just wasn't for me.
People that know me know I hate long sentences. Punctuation is free to use guys, you don't have to fill a whole page with your monologue. Taking a breath is ok. Letting someone else speak every once in a while is ok. What's not ok is saying something in five paragraphs that could be said in one line! The way this novel was written combined with the very dry subject matter made it an absolute SLOG to get through. If it wasn't a renowned and popular classic written by a woman, I would've dnf'd. I like to support women where I can 😌
I would say that some parts were enjoyable and it did feel ahead of its time. The women were often outspoken and sometimes cheeky and unafraid to turn down a marriage proposal. Most of them showed independence of thought and self, which was quite refreshing. Some of the characters were endearing and likeable, but most of them were snobby and uptight. Every new character introduced was more boring and annoying than the last. It's a surprise that I managed to get through the whole thing. Emma was especially judgemental and liked to categorise people by their class, which was always lower than her own. The Tory party would love her!
I can appreciate this was a gentle critique of marital arrangements and women's place in society at the time, but Austen could not keep me engaged nor interested in what was going on. Which, to be fair, wasn't much, given that rich people back then seemed to do nothing other than visit each other's houses and look down upon the poor. And if it was bad weather, write to each other instead. Rather similar to now I suppose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Chronic illness, Sexism, Death of parent, and Misogyny
cdoubet's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Classism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
mickymouse_007's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
This was definitely interesting. There is so many layers to the books and hidden meanings behind all the dialogues and the language. Have trust issues because of this book as nobody's pov is reliable (especially not Emma's while Mr. Knightly is comparatively more accurate)Â
"everything is not what it seems" could have been part of the movie's music playlist but make in 1800'sÂ
This was a fun read. Compared to P&P, it was definitely more comical and the writing style was a bit different but still enjoyable to say at the very least.Â
I loved the character development in this book and also character analysis. And I loved how they did a deep dive into the character of the side characters like Miss. Bates, Jane Fairfax, Harriet, Mrs. Elton, John Knightly and so on whom would have otherwise been completely ignored and how these people and their lives and their personality shape Emma to be who she is and also shapes her alteration.
Speaking of the devil, did I like Emma? Surprisingly, I did and didn't at the same time. I found her to be a very humane character who has flaws and makes mistakes (loads of them in fact) but she still has a lot more learning though.Â
Final thoughts: loved it. Definitely will reread it just to understand the hints on and also understand the themes more. Definitely recommend!!
"everything is not what it seems" could have been part of the movie's music playlist but make in 1800'sÂ
This was a fun read. Compared to P&P, it was definitely more comical and the writing style was a bit different but still enjoyable to say at the very least.Â
I loved the character development in this book and also character analysis. And I loved how they did a deep dive into the character of the side characters like Miss. Bates, Jane Fairfax, Harriet, Mrs. Elton, John Knightly and so on whom would have otherwise been completely ignored and how these people and their lives and their personality shape Emma to be who she is and also shapes her alteration.
Speaking of the devil, did I like Emma? Surprisingly, I did and didn't at the same time. I found her to be a very humane character who has flaws and makes mistakes (loads of them in fact) but she still has a lot more learning though.Â
Final thoughts: loved it. Definitely will reread it just to understand the hints on
Spoiler
frank churchill's and jane fairfax's relationship
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Misogyny
Minor: Pregnancy and Death of parent
nehanaomi's review
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
4.0
I'm choosing to ignore that ONE part of Mr. Knightley's character.Â
Content Warnings
Minor: Classism, Death of parent, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, and Toxic friendship
booksjessreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
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
So I have been waiting a while to post this and I really don't know why because I generally enjoyed the book. Was Emma my favourite heroine? No. Did I grow to love her? Kind of. Do I admire her strong-minded character and her confidence (minus her vanity)? Absolutely. Is my relationship with this book complex? 1000% yeah.
Emma was a slow read. I read this alongside the audiobook (as I normally do with classics) and until the middle of the book I was not completely convinced I would like this. Austen's writing was as great as it always is, but it was Emma's character that I was turned away by in the beginning. Although, Austen herself wrote "I am going to make a heroine whom no one but myself will like." She pretty much stuck by her word.
I really loved Mr. Knightley's character and thought he was a very caring and strong character throughout. I loved how he had always looked out for Emma and was the only one who made any attempts to improve her and guide her through her mistakes, where everyone else worshipped the ground she walked on. However, this was so reflective of society at the time. It was very telling of how friendships with those in the upper-class could be superficial. No one corrected Emma because they didn't want her to improve and Knightley was the only one who really cared about her development.
I really enjoyed how Austen doesn't just tell you her opinions of society, she shows you and its where her wit and sarcasm most come to life. This novel is mainly about marriage and romance, due to Emma's interest in forcing couples together to be married, but it's also about misunderstandings, family and social connections.
Whilst this wasn't my most favourite novel, I did come to enjoy it at the end. 3½ stars for me since I just found the book lacking a plot of any sort, but I can't discredit the way Austen writes and her humour kept me going.
Â
Emma was a slow read. I read this alongside the audiobook (as I normally do with classics) and until the middle of the book I was not completely convinced I would like this. Austen's writing was as great as it always is, but it was Emma's character that I was turned away by in the beginning. Although, Austen herself wrote "I am going to make a heroine whom no one but myself will like." She pretty much stuck by her word.
I really loved Mr. Knightley's character and thought he was a very caring and strong character throughout. I loved how he had always looked out for Emma and was the only one who made any attempts to improve her and guide her through her mistakes, where everyone else worshipped the ground she walked on. However, this was so reflective of society at the time. It was very telling of how friendships with those in the upper-class could be superficial. No one corrected Emma because they didn't want her to improve and Knightley was the only one who really cared about her development.
I really enjoyed how Austen doesn't just tell you her opinions of society, she shows you and its where her wit and sarcasm most come to life. This novel is mainly about marriage and romance, due to Emma's interest in forcing couples together to be married, but it's also about misunderstandings, family and social connections.
Whilst this wasn't my most favourite novel, I did come to enjoy it at the end. 3½ stars for me since I just found the book lacking a plot of any sort, but I can't discredit the way Austen writes and her humour kept me going.
Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
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