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emmi_lee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Death and Pregnancy
solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness and Racism
Minor: Death, Racial slurs, and Death of parent
hannahbailey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Jane, I'm so sorry I didn't like this. I just visited your house and loved it. You're a feminist icon! But wow, this book is long and boring. I did enjoy Pride and Prejudice though, so I'm not an Austen hater. This book just wasn't for me.
People that know me know I hate long sentences. Punctuation is free to use guys, you don't have to fill a whole page with your monologue. Taking a breath is ok. Letting someone else speak every once in a while is ok. What's not ok is saying something in five paragraphs that could be said in one line! The way this novel was written combined with the very dry subject matter made it an absolute SLOG to get through. If it wasn't a renowned and popular classic written by a woman, I would've dnf'd. I like to support women where I can 😌
I would say that some parts were enjoyable and it did feel ahead of its time. The women were often outspoken and sometimes cheeky and unafraid to turn down a marriage proposal. Most of them showed independence of thought and self, which was quite refreshing. Some of the characters were endearing and likeable, but most of them were snobby and uptight. Every new character introduced was more boring and annoying than the last. It's a surprise that I managed to get through the whole thing. Emma was especially judgemental and liked to categorise people by their class, which was always lower than her own. The Tory party would love her!
I can appreciate this was a gentle critique of marital arrangements and women's place in society at the time, but Austen could not keep me engaged nor interested in what was going on. Which, to be fair, wasn't much, given that rich people back then seemed to do nothing other than visit each other's houses and look down upon the poor. And if it was bad weather, write to each other instead. Rather similar to now I suppose.
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Death of parent, and Classism
nkazi's review against another edition
- 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
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Pedophilia, Sexism, and Death of parent
ednam0dewannabe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexism and Classism
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Alcohol
Minor: Racism and Pregnancy
eggsoap's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The biggest point in Emma's favour is that her character growth is mainly self prompted. She doesn't really need any prompting beyond Mr Knightly telling her how much she hurt Miss Bates on the Box Hill trip to begin her self-reflection and attempts to repent. She has a lot of loyalty for the people in Highbury, but it is only once she actually sees just how arrogant she has become and reflect on rhe damage that it has done that she really is able be properly generous and display the care to the people around her that she should. Due to her own guilt she does develop and become kinder and stops treating the lives others as her entertainment.
Ironically, it is her arrogance makes Emma's romance with Mr. Knightly so satisfying to read. They know each other so well and they care about each other so obviously, that Emma's willfull blindess his and her own feelings and complete resolution to never marry, make the payoff that much better in the end. They might be my favourite couple, if I could get over Mr Knightly admitting to Emma that he fell in love with her when she was 13. Yuck.
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, and Classism
Moderate: Chronic illness
Minor: Addiction
cdoubet's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Classism
mothie_girlie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexism
ratthew86's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs
Moderate: Sexism and Toxic friendship
booksjessreads's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Emma was a slow read. I read this alongside the audiobook (as I normally do with classics) and until the middle of the book I was not completely convinced I would like this. Austen's writing was as great as it always is, but it was Emma's character that I was turned away by in the beginning. Although, Austen herself wrote "I am going to make a heroine whom no one but myself will like." She pretty much stuck by her word.
I really loved Mr. Knightley's character and thought he was a very caring and strong character throughout. I loved how he had always looked out for Emma and was the only one who made any attempts to improve her and guide her through her mistakes, where everyone else worshipped the ground she walked on. However, this was so reflective of society at the time. It was very telling of how friendships with those in the upper-class could be superficial. No one corrected Emma because they didn't want her to improve and Knightley was the only one who really cared about her development.
I really enjoyed how Austen doesn't just tell you her opinions of society, she shows you and its where her wit and sarcasm most come to life. This novel is mainly about marriage and romance, due to Emma's interest in forcing couples together to be married, but it's also about misunderstandings, family and social connections.
Whilst this wasn't my most favourite novel, I did come to enjoy it at the end. 3½ stars for me since I just found the book lacking a plot of any sort, but I can't discredit the way Austen writes and her humour kept me going.
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism