Reviews

Emma by Jane Austen

master0fdisguise's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-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

ptstewart's review against another edition

3.0

Obviously, Emma is better than so much of what is written today. The writing is better, the manners are more fun, and the snide remarks are smarter. Emma is funny and entitled, but smart and capable. The dynamics are engaging, and the general host of characters agreeable. Reading it in the 21st century, however, it is hard not to be aware that the plot is drawn out so long that it is barely perceptible. A whole lot of nothing goes on, chatting and carriage riding and gossiping, which is understandable given the setting, but boring nonetheless. Finally, the graduation in modern writing from referring to a couple as one name is an underrated development. Miss Taylor is Mrs. Weston and Isabella is Mrs. Knightley, never mind that there are already two (2) Mr. Knightleys, and about six Miss/Mrs. Bates (this is an exaggeration, but you get my point). The style of alluding to characters via vague descriptions such as “the friend” (while in a room of seven people, all friends) is a style I’m glad we’ve left behind. Emma is great, bearing all the beautiful qualities modern novels often lack while maintaining all of the confusing structures that impede comprehension and accessibility.

girlinf1eld's review against another edition

4.0

'Twas decent. Lovely ending.

kaberman's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

4.25

saragilmore's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.0

fhammond_36's review against another edition

4.0

The Eltons are such a wonderfully horrible couple. And Poor Jane Fairfax. Much more enjoyable the 2nd time around

loverofbooks123's review against another edition

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Jane Austen's funniest book! This will be my second fav Austen book after, of course, Pride and Prejudice. The only thing that made me a little uneasy was the age difference between Emma and Mr. Knightley. But according to Regency norms, that doesn't seem much of a problem. 
Apart from that, everything was *chef's kiss*. 
I'm amazed at how forward this book was in some aspects. Truly wonderful!

hellbender's review against another edition

hopeful 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

3.0

mmmclean's review against another edition

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

5.0

anyanatasha's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

4.5