A review by panda_incognito
Emma, by Jane Austen
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.
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.