Reviews with content warning for Racism - Emma

This book took me a tremendous amount of time to read (I go to a german gymnasium I hope it's understandable) but Jane Austen has not failed to impress me once again (I'm from her hometown!). I found Emma way easier to read than Pride and Prejudice, it's just well, it's a longer story and I've been really busy so it took me quite a while. It was still worth the read and a really good book!

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e_hng's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75

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anna_wa's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-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

5.0

Jo: She says the whole book that she doesn't want to marry. It's consistent.
Dashwood: Who cares? Girls want to see women MARRIED. Not CONSISTENT.
[...] Jo: Fine.
(Little Women 2019)

Out of all the Jane Austen books I read this semester, this one was my favorite. Why? It's hard for me to say exactly. By all accounts it should be my least favorite, since it is the most conservative book she ever wrote: with everybody marrying in the same social class they were born into, and nobody rising above said social class (which is what Elizabeth Bennett, Marianne Dashwood, Fanny Price, and Catherine Morland all did), and also way less subtle political commentary than other books of hers.

A lot of that conservativism has to do with 1. the fact that she was begged into dedicating the book to the Prince (whom she did not like, but could also not refuse) and 2. the fact that this book was actually published by a big publishing company, as opposed to self published.

So yes, why /was/ Austen's most conservative novel my favorite of all her novels? I'm still trying to figure that out. If I had to guess though, it's because of the main character. When Austen was alive, she said of Emma: "I'm going to create a heroine whom nobody but myself will like". Yet, I and my classmates loved Emma.

Emma is just so amusing and I found it fun to laugh at how absolutely clueless she was in the beginning of the book, and yet how simultaneously endearing she was. I loved her desire to be a spinster (which, of course, got broken at the end, but whatever) and her love for her father/putting her father before anybody else in her life. I loved her character journey and how she learned to admit when she was wrong and make amends.

I loved the other characters too. I loved Mr. Woodhouse, who was also adorably clueless and reminded me a lot of my own grandmother. I loved Mr. Knightley

(even though I personally don't believe he should've been married to Emma - because I wish Emma had stayed a spinster)

and how he worked as someone to bring Emma back down to Earth and reality. I loved pretty much everyone except for Mrs. Elton (I could even feel slightly sorry for Mr. Elton, but I absolutely have 0 good things to say about Mrs. Elton).

It has been an honor to work my way through Jane Austen's bibliography this semester ~~(even though I never finished Mansfield Park and don't know if/when I will)~~ and this one, especially, was wonderful. Thank you Jane Austen!

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charlottebreads's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted slow-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

CW/TW: Racism (minor)
Age Rating: 12+

The writing was a bit hard to understand (it was written 200 years ago). Once you get a hold of the language, the book was fantastic. It was so witty and funny, and I enjoyed it so much.

The characters were great. I loved all of them, except Mrs. Elton, but she was meant to be unlikeable. Jane Austen is amazing at creating interesting, complex characters. I liked how Emma's flaws were at the forefront and that she wasn't a perfect character. I also loved how done Mr. Knightly was with Emma's antics.

I think their opposing personalities made their relationship better.

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paradaiso's review against another edition

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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

4.0

Wonderful classic. The ending in particular gave such a warm feeling and (this may be the romantic in me) almost made me cry in joy for the characters. It is an excellent way of immersing oneself into the past without having to compromise heavily on morals since there is no overt discrimination (of course it is a product of its time and therefore there is both sexism and racism inherently present). Would highly recommend to those who want something slow paced and lighthearted.

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strabbyfieldz's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

3.25

this is the only tolerable use of miscommunication as a writing trope I've read so far. prove me wrong! (u can't... /j).

I wish Austen was as detailed and nuanced in her writing of non-white characters than in her writing of white characters, which does leave a bitter taste in my mouth when it comes to this book.

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eimearhayes's review against another edition

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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

4.0

I can definitely see why this book is a classic, Jane Austen was an incredible writer.
But if you prefer more plot based books this is definitely not for you. Emma was a struggle to get through because it just felt like nothing was happening for so long. The majority of the book is build up. But the last 5 chapters were worth the struggle for me haha :)

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