A review by booksjessreads
Emma, by Jane Austen
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny