Emma

Jane Austen, Fiona J Stafford

As usual, Jane Austen doesn't disappoint. Emma is an impressive, funny, charming, beautifully...more

As usual, Jane Austen doesn't disappoint. Emma is an impressive, funny, charming, beautifully written story about nineteenth-century English society. Impressive because, in spite of the limited scope of storytelling in this time, Austen manages to keep the same basic premise fresh and engaging. In my copy's introduction, it presents that in Emma Woodhouse, Austen set out to create a protagonist that only she herself could like, and I am glad to report that she failed miserably. The blundering yet well-intentioned Emma is my second-favorite Austen heroine (after Elizabeth Bennet), and Mr. Knightley--taciturn, shrewd, and kind--is without a doubt my favorite Austen leading man. My only qualm is the somewhat recycled line of the secretly engaged man with the unlikable female character in the background (also in Sense & Sensibility). Otherwise, a lively, likeable cast of characters and an enthralling story earn Emma four stars from me.    hide

Emma Woodhouse is not a particularly likable character in the beginning of this novel (compounded,...more

Emma Woodhouse is not a particularly likable character in the beginning of this novel (compounded, for our age, by her views on the hierarchichal class structure of the 19th century). But the consequences of her over-confident meddling in others' lives and relations lead her to realise her shortcomings and her mistakes. This is Emma's emotion coming-of-age story, and it leaves her far more likable by the end (and happily in love)... The plot of romantic entanglements keeps the reader guessing until the last few pages, at which point everything is resolved in a very satisfying Happy End and Happily-ever-after. Some characters, such as Mr. Woodhouse or Miss Bates, unfortunately never break out of the mold of the stock character but for the most part the characters peopling Highbury are a joy to behold. I particularly enjoyed Mr. Knightley's form of snarky humor. The language is a joy - dignified, scathing or flippant in all the right places. It's just so.... delightfully 19th century. Loved it!   hide

Spoiler Warning>>> Emma Woodhouse, flawed but lovable, takes up matchmaking and finds all her...more

Spoiler Warning>>> Emma Woodhouse, flawed but lovable, takes up matchmaking and finds all her attempts for her friend Harriet Smith unsuccessful. First she has her reject Robert Martin while trying to set her up with Mr. Elton. That falls through when Mr. Elton declares his attachment for Emma, and, upon rejection, immediately marries another woman. Then, through a misunderstanding, she thinks Harriet and Frank Churchill would be good for each other, though Frank is secretly engaged to Jane Fairfax. Only when Harriet herself falls in love with Mr. Knightley does Emma realize that SHE wants Mr. Knightley. In the end, they are all happily paired off: Emma   hide

Hilarious, romantic, and a must read, Emma tells the story of a young woman who takes it upon...more

Hilarious, romantic, and a must read, Emma tells the story of a young woman who takes it upon herself to be a matchmaker, and match her friends up with men they met not necessarily feel for. But when she encourages her friend Harriet to feel for a man, and then finds out that it is the man (Mr. Knightly) that Emma is in love with, she is caught in a trap of her own making. Extremely well written and I recommend watching the movie with Gweneth Paltrow in it. Very good adaptation!   hide

Quite good, but not as good as Pride and Prejudice. Emma just seems like a spoiled know-it-all with...more

Quite good, but not as good as Pride and Prejudice. Emma just seems like a spoiled know-it-all with nothing to do except ruin the lives of others with her patronizing ridiculous schemes that shows she has little respect for others (until she gets her come uppance, which really isn't that wonderful). Mr. Darcy>Knightley, and Lizzy>>>Emma. Pride and Prejudice is much better.   hide