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A review by rsuray
Emma by Jane Austen
5.0
This is certainly not my first time reading "Emma," but I wanted a refresher after recently seeing (and loving) the 2020 film adaptation. The book as a whole is a great representation of Austen's wit and sly poking at the Regency-era class system and patriarchy. I have heard that "Emma," though not as popular as "Pride and Prejudice," is considered a better-written novel by academics. This statement was partly the reason why I wanted to reread it, seeing as I've always considered "Pride and Prejudice" to be her best work.
Upon this time around, I've noticed that, unlike Austen's other novels, the character Emma doesn't center herself around another romantic lead. In fact, her love interest doesn't even emerge until the very end of the novel. This is because Emma is the only Austen heroine who has the luxury of being so wealthy that she doesn't have to worry about finding herself a suitable match. Even though she won't inherit her father's estate, her inheritance is so extensive that she herself exclaims several times how she will never marry because she doesn't need to marry. Austen's other heroines are either of middle or once-rich class and know that they must marry to secure their own futures, and Austen with these heroines makes a point to have them marry for love. But in "Emma," the non-need for the titular character to marry leaves room for the development of and focus on the match-making process and actions of other minor characters from all sorts of socio-economic backgrounds and temperaments. But no spoilers on this subject.
For any Austen fanatics, I'd certainly recommend rereading "Emma" not just for the story itself, but to study it in the scheme of Austen's other novels.
For anyone new to Austen, I just want to remind that her novels are almost entirely character driven, and since focusing on the sedentary middle and upper classes of Regency-England, are certainly dialogue heavy. But this isn't a warning. Austen is so heavily satirical that once you are familiar with her style and gain knowledge of the era, you will remain in a constant state of amusement.
Upon this time around, I've noticed that, unlike Austen's other novels, the character Emma doesn't center herself around another romantic lead. In fact, her love interest doesn't even emerge until the very end of the novel. This is because Emma is the only Austen heroine who has the luxury of being so wealthy that she doesn't have to worry about finding herself a suitable match. Even though she won't inherit her father's estate, her inheritance is so extensive that she herself exclaims several times how she will never marry because she doesn't need to marry. Austen's other heroines are either of middle or once-rich class and know that they must marry to secure their own futures, and Austen with these heroines makes a point to have them marry for love. But in "Emma," the non-need for the titular character to marry leaves room for the development of and focus on the match-making process and actions of other minor characters from all sorts of socio-economic backgrounds and temperaments. But no spoilers on this subject.
For any Austen fanatics, I'd certainly recommend rereading "Emma" not just for the story itself, but to study it in the scheme of Austen's other novels.
For anyone new to Austen, I just want to remind that her novels are almost entirely character driven, and since focusing on the sedentary middle and upper classes of Regency-England, are certainly dialogue heavy. But this isn't a warning. Austen is so heavily satirical that once you are familiar with her style and gain knowledge of the era, you will remain in a constant state of amusement.