3.88 AVERAGE


I read this when I was 17 and remember thinking it was a great story. These days I would probably be annoyed by the writing style and cliches, but that is why I won't re-read it. I prefer to remember it as an awestruck 17 year-old discovering romantic fiction for the first time.
adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

A truly inspiring read. It is quite difficult to put down this book for long. Even afterwards, thoughts of Emma kept intruding into my mind. I especially loved that she kept a “commonplace book”, which was a great help to her in achieving her ambitions. I cannot, in all honesty, say that I relate to her – she is far, far more ambitious and tenacious than I’ll never be. But it sure is a great story!
emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional medium-paced
emotional reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional inspiring 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

I just wanted to be Emma so much
emotional lighthearted reflective 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

Look, I'm sure this was interesting and revolutionary in the 1860s or whenever this sort of writing was last considered good/interesting but reading this in 2020, I am appalled at how shallow, trite and downright cringey this book was. I hate-read the whole thing and will probably rant about my (least) favorite parts later. For now, suffice it to say, unless you count aisle romance or Sidney Sheldon books as your personal favorites, do yourself a favor and give this one a wide berth.