Emma is one of the most delightful and strong-willed of Jane Austen's heroines. Her attempts at manipulating other people's lives through matchmaking start in fun but end in hurt feelings and the embarrassment of misconstrued romance—though this comical romance novel does come with a happily-ever-after solution to all the problems Emma causes. Throughout the story, Jane Austen loses no opportunity to describe with ironic wittiness the society of Highbury and the conventions of the day, and displays her powers as one of the era's best writers.
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"I know I'm late to the party, but aside from Pride and Prejudice I hadn't read any other Jane Austen novels until a couple of years ago. Pride and Prejudice remains my favorite, but I did find Emma to be very enjoyable. I will say that Jane Austen had a particular talent for writing obnoxious characters. I'm not referring to the protagonists necessarily, but to the female equivalent of P&P's Mr. Collins - the Mrs. Elton. Good gravy, I was entirely with Emma in abhorring her. And if I must be honest, I didn't really like Emma herself until the last few chapters. While not as presumptuously arrogant as Mrs. Elton, I was annoyed by her habit of thinking less of people and then rationalizing it. If I wanted to get philosophical about it maybe Mrs. Elton was the physical representation of Emma's pride. That said, Emma's change of heart, repentant spirit, and honest efforts to improve herself had me forgiving her by the end and I was quite satisfied with the conclusion for all the characters." — Krysta (4 out of 5 stars)
"I know I'm late to the party, but aside from Pride and Prejudice I hadn't read any other Jane Austen novels until a couple of years ago. Pride and Prejudice remains my favorite, but I did find Emma to be very enjoyable. I will say that Jane Austen had a particular talent for writing obnoxious characters. I'm not referring to the protagonists necessarily, but to the female equivalent of P&P's Mr. Collins - the Mrs. Elton. Good gravy, I was entirely with Emma in abhorring her. And if I must be honest, I didn't really like Emma herself until the last few chapters. While not as presumptuously arrogant as Mrs. Elton, I was annoyed by her habit of thinking less of people and then rationalizing it. If I wanted to get philosophical about it maybe Mrs. Elton was the physical representation of Emma's pride. That said, Emma's change of heart, repentant spirit, and honest efforts to improve herself had me forgiving her by the end and I was quite satisfied with the conclusion for all the characters."
" By far my favorite book ever! "
" Loved the movie, couldn't get into the book. "
" It's still Jane, but Emma is my least favorite heroine. She's too whiny for my tastes - and I should know. "
" Every time I read this book it just gets better and better. "
" Such a delight read. If you fall in love with the main character you'll fall in love with the book. "
" Probably my favorite Austen story. "
" This book is awful! Pointless and frivolous, rather annoying. I am not sure why this is considered a classic! "
" Love both book and movie!!! "
" Really enjoyed this book although it got a bit mundane at some points. "
" I'm amazed that I never read this particular book before. I usually like Jane Austin but I found this one just so difficult to get into. And Emma is rather an annoying heroine until the last few pages when she does redeem herself. That's all I'm saying. It's okay but definitely not my favorite. "
" As I finished it a while ago, I can't think of a proper review right now, but holy crap do I love this book. Absolutely hilarious, start to finish. "
" Superficial... but interesting to read so... read it jejeje "
" Classic Jane Austin with a light touch "
" Not as feisty as Pride and Prejudice and was boring in some parts. "
" Found Emma a bit boring compared to other Jane Austen novels I have read. "
" 3 1/2 stars. If you wanna try reading Jane Austen then I would highly recommend Pride and Prejudice before Emma. Although it was much better than Persuasion but not close to being as good as P and P. it dragged a little for me. However I do love Austen's style, so entertaining and very fun. "
" Jane Austen books are such a delight, and Emma was one that I savored. It is witty and fun and just so humorous with some light romance and a happy ending to boot. I love getting a glimpse of life as it once was, and especially the setting of the English countryside. "
" The characters are more sharply defined in the book than in the movie, making Emma even more prejudiced. Not quite a happy enough ending for me. "
" Quite delightful, though the percentage of Austen's classic Characters In Need of Throttling was a bit higher than I prefer. (I believe I am John Knightley in this scenario. Shut UP, Mrs. Elton, oh my god.) "
" I love Jane Austen but I just couldn't get to like the character Emma. "
" wonderful reading! Austen is such a clever writer! really loved it! "
" great book about english match making. "
" Not my favorite Austen. There were a couple of time when I literally threw the book across the room because Emma is so unbelievably ... spoiled and clueless (pun intended). I also never understood how Mr. Knightley could love such a silly girl. "
" Reading this after seeing "Clueless" after so many times was an interesting experience. I enjoyed this book quite a bit, and I'd say that this book represents Austen at her best - vivid characters, complicated social structures. "
" Well, we named our daughter after Emma Woodhouse. My idea. "
" Less drama than other Austen books, Emma isn't as striking as Pride and Prejudice, but the character of Emma is charming and amusing. "
" Emma lives in a safe little society in Highbury, where the boredom and confinement and the triviality of social life there would have driven me crazy! "
" Too tidy an ending, but otherwise highly entertaining and well-written with some dark drama (1840s style) thrown in. "
" Not my favorite. Found it slower, and Emma was more annoying than charming. I was surprised because I love the movie. Still have 2 more Jane Austens to read but it's going to be hard to compare with Pride and Prejudice. "
" Always my favorite Jane Austen novel, possibly because I read it first. "
" depends on ppl's taste....but i recommend to read it..... "
" Too hard to follow. I won't try a Jane Austen again. Not my cup of tea. "
" "Emma" is such a fun book to read. I love that our heroine in this book is very flawed and human. It's a fun journey to watch the evolution of character in many of the characters. Of Jane Austen books, in my opinion, "Emma" is second only to "Pride and Prejudice"! "
" I loved this more every time I read it! "
Jane Austen (1775–1817) is considered by many scholars to be the first great woman novelist. Born in Steventon, England, she later moved to Bath and began to write for her own and her family’s amusement. Her novels, set in her own English countryside, depict the daily lives of provincial middle-class families with wry observation, a delicate irony, and a good-humored wit.
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