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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: Death, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, and Sexism
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: Classism and Sexism
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Alcohol
Minor: Pregnancy and Racism
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, Classism, Racism, and Sexism
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, Classism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
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: Sexism and Misogyny
paradaiso'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
4.0
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Adult/minor relationship