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meeks3's review
4.0
"Emma" is one of my least favorite Austen books, so I was a little hesitant to read this, but being an updated version I decided to give it a try. I'm certainly glad I did because I really enjoyed this book!!
One of my biggest problems with "Emma" is the actual character of Emma. I never felt like I was able to connect with her and often thought of her as silly, immature, and slightly selfish. In this retelling, Emma is a much more likable character. She is written in a way where yes, she's trying to establish herself and be a professional but you never think that she's uncaring or using people.
Being able get into Mark's head was also a fun aspect of the book. In the original you never know what Mark is thinking or how he really feels about Emma. He's an aloof kind of guy. Here, the reader gets the opportunity to see the struggle Mark goes through to reconcile, within himself, his feelings for Emma. Plus, by seeing things from his point of view he becomes a more real guy not just this mysterious being.
Overall, I am quite happy with my decision to read this I know it will be one that I come back to read again and again.
One of my biggest problems with "Emma" is the actual character of Emma. I never felt like I was able to connect with her and often thought of her as silly, immature, and slightly selfish. In this retelling, Emma is a much more likable character. She is written in a way where yes, she's trying to establish herself and be a professional but you never think that she's uncaring or using people.
Being able get into Mark's head was also a fun aspect of the book. In the original you never know what Mark is thinking or how he really feels about Emma. He's an aloof kind of guy. Here, the reader gets the opportunity to see the struggle Mark goes through to reconcile, within himself, his feelings for Emma. Plus, by seeing things from his point of view he becomes a more real guy not just this mysterious being.
Overall, I am quite happy with my decision to read this I know it will be one that I come back to read again and again.
doxamully's review
There was no way I was ever going to forgive Knightley after what he said and did to Emma.
katrina26's review
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
ainiali's review
2.0
Disappointed. Emma is my fav novel by JA & i view Knightley as the standard for matured & level-headed male figure. What i can see in this book is how Knightley sees Emma, she's blossomed into a beautiful woman with good look & desirable figure. It's annoyed me, every time how Knightley want to hold her, hug her or whatever he's thinking. Love is more than just that & this modern interpretation of the story is just wrong. Yeah, if anybody will get my point.
marianneangelie's review
2.0
The rating's a little bit harsh, I know. But it's my #1 or #2 favorite Jane Austen book. I have high expectations.
loveisnotatriangle's review
2.0
I wasn’t prepared for how trashy this was going to be. Although it was fun to see Mr. Knightly’s perspective and some aspects of the 21st century retelling of Emma worked well (and were amusing), I didn’t like how much this author turns the story into an adult romance novel. Jane Austen has such wonderful subtlety and slow built up between characters, and this retelling missed that when it turned into a trashy beach read. Mr. Knightly wasn’t nearly as attractive when he was objectifying Emma in every scene. And Emma came across way too clueless and ditzy, far more than she appears in the original. This made her her far less endearing. For instance, it’s obvious in this retelling that Mr. Elton is into Emma and not Harriet, but she is so clueless about it that she looks like an idiot. This is the first in a series, and I was really looking forward to the adaptation of Persuasion, which is next. But if it’s going to be like this one, I don’t think that I’ll be reading it.
sparkingjoyinreading's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a good modern update to Emma, one of my favorite novels. I found the characters interesting and the premise original. I plan on reading the others in her series- this is a worth a look.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
christianam's review
2.0
A few years ago I swore off reading adaptations of Jane Austen, after being burnt a few too many times. If only I had kept my resolution...
This is a modern adaptation of Emma. The author didn't do a bad job of relating the plot points to modern times, but that's about all I can say. This book is a trashy modern romance, with none of the subtlety or humour of the original. And it keeps very little of the characters other than their names. While Emma in the original was thoughtless and occasionally witty at other people's expense, with a short attention span, she was also smart, kind and overall a nice person. This Emma was rude and mean and completely clueless. Although we were told several times about her short attention span, all the evidence proved otherwise (she gained an MBA and was incredibly focused and driven). Mark Knightley was also rude, as well as moody, condescending and continually objectifying Emma. The book was basically Knightley obsessing about how sexy Emma was, with nothing to show that they liked each other as people.
Basically, I nearly gave it up after a few chapters, and stuck with it only to see how the author would translate Emma to modern times. It was not worth it.
This is a modern adaptation of Emma. The author didn't do a bad job of relating the plot points to modern times, but that's about all I can say. This book is a trashy modern romance, with none of the subtlety or humour of the original. And it keeps very little of the characters other than their names. While Emma in the original was thoughtless and occasionally witty at other people's expense, with a short attention span, she was also smart, kind and overall a nice person. This Emma was rude and mean and completely clueless. Although we were told several times about her short attention span, all the evidence proved otherwise (she gained an MBA and was incredibly focused and driven). Mark Knightley was also rude, as well as moody, condescending and continually objectifying Emma. The book was basically Knightley obsessing about how sexy Emma was, with nothing to show that they liked each other as people.
Basically, I nearly gave it up after a few chapters, and stuck with it only to see how the author would translate Emma to modern times. It was not worth it.
radella_hardwick's review
4.0
A very enjoyable retelling
I'm not sure how well it would work if you didn't know the original novel because some things seem rather out of place in a modern setting – like Gustie's behaviour or Churchill's backstory and secret love affair.
I'm not always keen on first-person narrative but it really works here as knowing what the characters are thinking is a big draw for a retelling of a Classic. I especially liked the fact that it switched between Emma and Knightley as that meant it was possible to see the misunderstandings and misconceptions grow on both sides.
I'm not sure how well it would work if you didn't know the original novel because some things seem rather out of place in a modern setting – like Gustie's behaviour or Churchill's backstory and secret love affair.
I'm not always keen on first-person narrative but it really works here as knowing what the characters are thinking is a big draw for a retelling of a Classic. I especially liked the fact that it switched between Emma and Knightley as that meant it was possible to see the misunderstandings and misconceptions grow on both sides.