Take a photo of a barcode or cover
loreofyupu 's review for:
Emma
by Jane Austen
I've said this about Jane Austen's novels before— most of us are familiar with how the plot lines progress but it's still a satisfying experience to read them firsthand. To appreciate her mastery over the language, if for no other reason.
The sentences are structured like a jigsaw puzzle. It's slightly difficult to get into the groove at first, but once I get the hang of how the words fit perfectly in place to form a complete picture, I like reading them out loud to myself over and over again.
You know how we often find ourselves saying, "Gah! I don't know how to explain"?
Well, Austen has a way of describing tricky thoughts and emotions that I'd have considered indescribable. I had multiple aha! moments while reading as she cleverly painted in words things that I know I've felt before but never known how to elucidate.
As for the titular character herself, I don't agree with all of the hate she receives (although I can see where it's coming from). Austen had famously predicted that Emma would be a heroine that “no one but herself will much like”. I, however, thought her to be perfectly likeable and charming. Her misperceptions and blunders were comical and at times, endearing. If not for her colourful personality, I might not have made it through the book.
[Disclosure: This was my second attempt at reading this. The first time was while I was still in middle school (?) with comprehension skills too poor. The second time was also drawn out over several long months and I was afraid I would fail once again to complete it. But I made it till the end, through all its ups and downs!]
The sentences are structured like a jigsaw puzzle. It's slightly difficult to get into the groove at first, but once I get the hang of how the words fit perfectly in place to form a complete picture, I like reading them out loud to myself over and over again.
You know how we often find ourselves saying, "Gah! I don't know how to explain"?
Well, Austen has a way of describing tricky thoughts and emotions that I'd have considered indescribable. I had multiple aha! moments while reading as she cleverly painted in words things that I know I've felt before but never known how to elucidate.
As for the titular character herself, I don't agree with all of the hate she receives (although I can see where it's coming from). Austen had famously predicted that Emma would be a heroine that “no one but herself will much like”. I, however, thought her to be perfectly likeable and charming. Her misperceptions and blunders were comical and at times, endearing. If not for her colourful personality, I might not have made it through the book.
[Disclosure: This was my second attempt at reading this. The first time was while I was still in middle school (?) with comprehension skills too poor. The second time was also drawn out over several long months and I was afraid I would fail once again to complete it. But I made it till the end, through all its ups and downs!]