Reviews

Emma by Jane Austen

bennysbooks's review against another edition

 2024 re-read: 

 

I liked Emma better on a re-read, but it’s decidedly not my favourite Austen novel. I originally read it when I was in high school and hated it back then, but with such distance have always had a difficult time explaining why. I think, as ever, that Austen pulls off some remarkable things in this book. It’s much more a character study than a romance, and an impressively proficient one at that. The way that Austen hounds us with Emma’s perspectives and delusions, while providing insight into how those delusions are being crafted, and where the truth might lie, is truly remarkable storytelling. It feels strange to even review Austen, as I have said before, because her understanding of people (of a certain time/place/class/race) and storytelling ability are just so impressive that it’s impossible to feel like you’re saying anything useful when you praise her work. But I did go into this wanting to understand my dislike for this book, and I have to say Austen’s skill is partly to blame. There are so many fallibly human characters, written so effectively and so believably, that if you’re not someone who can tolerate too much of that sort of thing, it can be an exhausting read. The way that my whole body would tense when I saw PAGES of dialogue from Miss Bates… And Miss Bates isn’t even unlikeable! Just gabby. A Miss Bates-style character, in a book where there either fewer characters or more neutral characters, would be a comic delight! But toss her in with Emma, Harriet, the Eltons, and basically everyone else? Mr. Woodhouse’s love for gruel brings me joy, sure, but did I want to read him worrying about other people’s health one more time? I did not. At the end of the day, I always enjoy reading Austen to some degree, but Emma will never by my go-to. 

 

(Side note: I had completely forgotten about the confusingly abrupt, Mrs. Weston-having-a-baby plotline and how much it bothered me as a teen. Well, this time, it led me to a deep-dive online that culminated in the world of Arnie Purlstein’s frantic blogging about Austen’s shadow plots, and woah. What a trip. Don’t recommend.) 

persephone0000's review against another edition

lighthearted relaxing 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

toellethebooks's review against another edition

lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

jadeylady's review against another edition

funny lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

4.25

This was so much easier for me to read than pride and prejudice! (Probably because I read it right after.) I was so invested in Emma’s life and although especially at the beginning her actions made me kinda annoyed by the end I was enjoying it much more. But bloody hell they love to yap and some scenes/chapters really dragged for me. Knightly made up for it like stopppp “if I loved you less I might be able to talk about it more” ! ! ! I can’t I was just so entertained and really blew through it.

birdyreader's review against another edition

challenging funny lighthearted fast-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

5.0

amanda1793's review against another edition

4.0

I have only read two Austen novels... this is my favourite.

The growth of Emma as a character through the novel was interesting, however rushed near the end of the novel. I did enjoy that she was able to grow and realize the "error of her ways" in meddling where she shouldn't, and making comments that hurt people's feelings in the presence of others and how, given her place in society, her opinion rather means something to the community as a whole.

Some characters did grate on my nerves, which was clearly what was intended to happen but man where they annoying.

Full transparency, I was roughly 2/3s of the way through the novel when I saw the newest film adaptation prior to theatres in my area closing. I feel that the film aided in my understanding of the story as a whole, and was gorgeous in it's own right!

izzylashley's review against another edition

4.0

Def not my fave Jane Austen novel but still great, loved Emma’s character development

forestidylls's review against another edition

5.0

Although not my favorite Jane Austen book, definitely a great book. Enjoyed it more the second time than I did the first. I feel like I caught a lot more, and really appreciate the intricacies Jane Austen manages to weave into her stories.

emily_stapylton's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The book starts really slow but once you hit the last third it picked up. 

bookgirl2013's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0