Emma
Emma, by Jane Austen, is a novel about youthful hubris and the perils of misconstrued romance. The novel was first published in December 1815. As in her other novels, Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian-Regency England; she also creates a lively comedy of manners among her characters. Before she began the novel, Austen wrote, "I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like." In the very first sentence she introduces the title character as "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich." Emma, however, is also rather spoiled, headstrong, and self-satisfied; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives; and her imagination and perceptions often lead her astray.
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tbh i didnt finish but i am ready to move on from this book and made a lot of progress on it so i’m just gunna take it as it is. also i watched the movie and the movie is pretty close to the book so i’m not missing out on any plot
My least favourite of Austen's work but still such a damm good story. Matchmaking, rumor, and speculation gone amuck. Fun and frivolity between friends and those you have to put up with. Though I will say Mr.Woodhouse's dislike of marriage makes no sense to me and keeps popping up when I don't care.
I truly feel like when a young female adult is ready to get into reading, this is a great book for them. It is timeless in the plot following Emma through friendship and love in her village. Although you will shake your head everynow and then at a poorly aged comment, the main portion of the book is such a masterpiece. I enjoy re-reading this book often.
A little bit more exciting than the other Austen books I've read so far. Though not as totally awesome as Pride and Prejudice or as moving as Sense and Sensibility, it might be my current third favorite of hers. The snootiness in the book is not as throughly punished and eradicated as it should be, but it is somewhat condemned. It was very enjoyable. My idea of a cheerful summer book.
I decided to listen to this novel after it featured in the plot of "The Last Bookshop in London" by Madeline Martin which I read recently. I have seen various television adaptations and movies, but I don't think I have ever read "Emma" the book. As much as I love a good period drama, (and I have probably watched pretty much all of them), I often found my attention drifting while listening to this Austen classic. The percentage of time taken in tedious conversation about nothing was well above my threshold and, as in real life, I don't have much time for gossip and I find social misunderstandings rather awkward. I also found Emma herself to be a most arrogant and interfering character. I spent most of the novel feeling rather frustrated with her actions and opinions, and feeling rather sorry for Miss Harriet Smith. I am so thankful to live in the twenty first century where women are much freer to do, say and wear what they like, and to socialize with whom they please and to marry whom they choose (or to not marry at all). That said, Austen certainly creates some comical characters and sets up some amusing events and circumstances, so I can see how this has remained a best-seller over the decades.
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