Title: Emma
Author: Jane Austen
Pages: 495
Finished: November 14, 2019
First Sentence: Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and 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.
Summary: It's a Jane Austen story. Social graces, foibles, happy ever afters. The specific story for this one includes Emma, the rather spoiled daughter of the hypochondriac Mr. Woodhouse. She has a very high opinion of herself and will happily stick her nose in other people's business. And in the end, she happily finds herself a husband.
Thoughts: This is my least favorite of Austen's completed novels, and even with that distinction, it's still one of the better books I've read this year. The social commentary is on point as ever. So many of the characters are utterly ridiculous. Miss Bates and her constant chatter, which Austen writes out quite will to show the point. Mrs. Elton and her hypocrisy. Mr. Woodhouse who is endearing even in his silliness simply because of Emma's devotion to him.
This is one of those books where iI feel the side characters are better than the main. I don't like Emma. I just... don't. She's very reminiscent of a friend I had in high school. Unlike the other main characters in Austen novels, she's incredibly selfish with little to recommend her. Of course she comes 'round right in the end, and I suppose her devotion to her father is endearing, but how little regard she shows to others is frustrating. On the other hand, it perhaps makes her one of the most believable Austen heroines around. She's 21 after all. Hasn't had full brain development yet.
I did feel like I caught way more subtext this time around. Of course, I do know the story, so it was much easier to catch. I really wish I could read this again for the first time NOW rather than when I was a teenager. I think I'd catch so much more!
One of my favorite books this year so far. Read for Classics Club and Austen Challenges even though I've pretty much given up.
This is one of those books where iI feel the side characters are better than the main. I don't like Emma. I just... don't. She's very reminiscent of a friend I had in high school. Unlike the other main characters in Austen novels, she's incredibly selfish with little to recommend her. Of course she comes 'round right in the end, and I suppose her devotion to her father is endearing, but how little regard she shows to others is frustrating. On the other hand, it perhaps makes her one of the most believable Austen heroines around. She's 21 after all. Hasn't had full brain development yet.
I did feel like I caught way more subtext this time around. Of course, I do know the story, so it was much easier to catch. I really wish I could read this again for the first time NOW rather than when I was a teenager. I think I'd catch so much more!
One of my favorite books this year so far. Read for Classics Club and Austen Challenges even though I've pretty much given up.
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