By Jane Austen
Genre Classic
Pages 432
Recommended by Me
First sentence Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and a happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.
Synopsis
Emma Woodhouse considers herself a matchmaker, but love is complicated and in a small town there's not much room for meddling.
What it has going for it
This is the only Jane Austen that I've yet to read. My book club wasn't going to meet this month but me and another member decided we couldn't go a month without meeting to discuss books. So we decided to read an Austen novel that we hadn't read yet. As it turned out she hadn't read Emma either and so we embarked on our reading adventure. I have to say I have quite the feeling of accomplishment to have finally finished all the Austen books. Emma is an Austen book and as such gets points just for being so. I love Austen's ability to make a seemingly boring conversation intriguing; the ability to make the mundane exciting.
What's lacking
I have to admit this wasn't my favorite Austen. The whole class thing might very well have been how it was but in this book it came off making the main characters seem pretentious and arrogant. That makes it hard to really like a book. If I can't like at least one character I have a hard time getting invested. I also have always loved Mr. Knightly in the movies I've seen but in the book I wanted to punch him. What a hypocritical jerk! Telling Emma how wrong she was to act one way and then acting that way himself. So annoying. He sort of redeems himself in the end when everything is explained but still.
Favorite moment
I loved the conversation about Jane Fairfax going to get the mail everyday. I knew from the movies what was going on, and that may have helped, but I loved how much was behind such a seemingly boring conversation.
Yea or Nay
Um, yes. Everyone should read all the Jane Austen books at least once. Agreed?
I'm with you on this one. It's Austen, and I like it to some degree, but definitely not my favorite.
ReplyDeleteYeah, they're all good but this one wasn't my favorite.
DeleteDon't kill me. I've never read an Austen book.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry I won't kill you. ;) They're not for everyone.
DeleteThis is the only Austen book you haven't read, right? Other than her short stories? Well, if that's true, you can now say you've read all six of her books. I'm at 2.5. :) And, I like P&P much better than Mansfield Park. But, I did like Mansfield Park too.
ReplyDeleteYep, one day you'll be able to say you've read them all. I know it.
DeleteYou're so good. I was an English major in college, and I have to admit that I am SO burned out on classics. If it wasn't written in the last 20 years, I generally won't read it. Sad, I know!
ReplyDeleteNot at all. I read so many mysteries growing up that now I can't stand them.
DeleteI agree with you on reading all Austen books! I'm working on being able to read one per year. Still need to get to Northanger Abbey for my Classics challenge this year! :P
ReplyDeleteGood luck. Not to discourage you, but Northanger Abbey was hard for me too.
DeleteI've read them all, but I need to do a reread, because I think I'm starting to remember the stories according to the movies (which are much easier to watch). I love to get back to those originals. I'm definitely going to start rereading Persuasion soon.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I do that all the time. I've seen the long P&P so many times I don't remember the book too well.
DeleteI seriously considered not commenting on this one, but I'll be honest... I don't care for Austen. I read P&P and it took everything in me just to finish. I really liked the movie though!
ReplyDeleteMeh, as long as you like the movie it's all good. ;) There's a lady in my book club who can't stand these types of classics. It's fun to tease her.
DeleteAh, yes at least read them once...I have found myself being sucked into them again when I thumb through them. So I guess you could say that I've read some of them once and a half or so.
ReplyDeleteThat's better than me. I've only read them each once.
DeleteThis is one Jane Austen novel I haven't read yet. I really hate the movie version because of Gweneth Paltrow, so I'm unable to read this book for fear of seeing her as Emma in the book. I'll have to just get over that because I do want to read it. I have to, right? Jane Austen is an amazing author!
ReplyDeleteYeah, that Gweneth Paltrow one stuck in my head too. The truth is, in my opinion, Emma is just annoying no matter who plays her. ;)
DeleteThis review is making me wonder if I've actually ever read Emma, or just seen the movie versions. Or possibly just Clueless...
ReplyDeleteIs it bad that all the Austen's start to blend together in my head? Maybe I'll have to read it again (or for the first time) to refresh my memory.
Luckily they're all separate in my head...for now, anyway.
DeleteNice review. To be honest, I haven't read a SINGLE Austen book. I know, it's pretty awful, since I am a literature major but I don't know...I was never made to read them and I was never completely interested. I guess I should at some point though. I might start with another title though.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I'd say just watch one of the many movie versions and see if you'd be interested in the books.
DeleteThis is really bad but the only Austen book I've read is Pride and Prejudice :( I'm so behind on my classics. Though I do agree with you on the class thing. Plus Knightly kind of creeps me out being so much older than Emma.
ReplyDeleteYeah, his age bothered me in this one because of what a jerk he was.
DeleteI loved Emma! But I see your point because I really have no idea why I like it. It's the only book I've come across where I can't explain why I like it :S
ReplyDeleteThat's funny. I do that, though. Like books I can't explain why.
DeleteI agree with you about the class situation in Emma. When it comes to Emma I have always liked the movie version better.
ReplyDeleteYes, I definitely like the movie versions better.
DeleteThe only Austen book I've read is Pride and Prejudice and haven't seen any of the movies. I should read some of her other books some day.
ReplyDeleteOh, you should watch the other movies at least!
DeleteI have no idea how I missed this review! I know we talked about this, but I ended up liking this one more than you did. While Mr. Knightley isn't my favorite Austen gentleman, I did come to quite like Emma. Elizabeth and Elinor still beat her out though.
ReplyDelete