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What are readers saying about Emma (Bantam Classics)?
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Richard posted a review at 2010-07-08 09:23:08.
(Language: English)
 
A very gentle comedy of manners. Read aloud to my Emma and we both enjoyed it. Emma Woodhouse is a great character - so too are Jane Fairfax and, of course Mr Knightly. The plot is strait forward Emma fancies herself quite the match maker after she sees her governess Ms Taylor married. She then takes it upon herself to help Harriet Smith find a husband. Complications ensue but by the novel's end every one is dancing with the right partner and a happy ending is had by all. Austen illustrates all the psychological complexities the various characters display in a manner that brings alive this era in England's history when the subtle conventions of interpersonal relationships posed a challenge to even the most intelligent and worthy of individuals. 
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A Reader posted a review at 2012-03-07 12:32:41.
(Language: English)
A cunning social satire in the guise of a period romance, this novel of manners requires some serious consideration if you are to get at the heart of Austen's humor. Very witty and sophisticated, even if not my favorite type of novel. Definitely interested in exploring more Austen now.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-05-09 06:00:59.
(Language: English)
Emma is sort of the the "original" manuscript of most modern chick lit approaches. But Austen was able to make all of them more human in terms of their characteristics. Emma Woodhouse congratudalted herself for her first match-making success, and now plans to use her talent to help Harriet Smith- the illigitimate daughter of someone. Against her friend and brother-in-law's advice, Emma proceeds with her quest, and through many series of events, finds herself changed for the worse.I really enjoyed reading this. Emma is unlike any of Austen's other heroines, which is a good change. Still, there is that good moral values running under the vanity in Emma.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-20 03:59:31.
(Language: English)
This is probably the best book I have ever read and one to read more than once. It captures Austin's irony in its full glory and the heroine is a heroine for being human and making mistake after mistake rather than being heroic and utterly good. On first reading you are in Emma's head all the way through and compelled to believe all that she believes and feels. Yet, on reading for the second time you clearly understand the errors she makes in her judgements about matchmaking and it all clicks into place. An amazing, funny and intelligently crafted novel. The best!
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Kamatchi posted a review at 2010-06-29 10:15:20.
(Language: English)
"Emma" is about a rich, handsome young girl living with her father in Hartfield, the country side of England. she was brought up by her governess Mrs. Weston, who was also a good friend to her. Once Mrs Weston gets married and moves out Emma becomes the mistress of her father;s house at the age of sixteen. she was also a little spoiled rich girl as no one around her would correct her mistakes except for Mr.Knightley their neighbor and also her brother-ni-law from Donwell. Emma does not have any worldly experience and fancies herself in matchmaking. she misconstrues people actions and always end up in mismatching the people.. She is so busy finding match for others she misses to follow her own heart. When she finds out where her heart was there there was no going back.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-02-10 01:41:20.
(Language: English)
I started to read the classics, believe it or not I didn't like them in high school. As yu grow you see them with a differnt eye. Emma, by Jane Austen, was one of the most enjoyable books I have read recently. I chose to read Emma because, having read and loved Pride and Prejudice by the same author, I wanted to explore her other books as well.I was enchanted with Emma because Austen beautifully blends together a simple story of a girl and a documentation of the societal behaviors of the time. It provides insights into the life and social customs of a lady living in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-07 08:48:46.
(Language: English)
I found the character Emma almost repulsive because of her sense of entitlement and extreme class-ism. But some of her attitudes were piercing as well; at one point she's performing her charitable duties with a friend and, speaking of the poor family they visited says something to the effect that, "We've done as much as we can do, and feeling distress beyond that is simply self-indulgent." Ouch. As always, Austen's characters are SO well-drawn and their inner struggles and outer manners so insightful. I'm not fully convinced that Mr. Knightley would really find her worthy of being his life partner, though. It was also enjoyable comparing Austen's original work to the modern-day interpretation in the movie Clueless...very artfully adapted.
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Kelsy posted a review at 2010-10-05 08:29:17.
(Language: English)
I'm enjoying listening to the audio-drama version, and reading a bit when I can. However, it's hard to get used to the main character being of such a different class than me and therefore I have such a distaste for her judgement and manipulation! Although I guess I like Emma more than Harriet Smith. And I like Mr. Knightley! But not Frank Churchill, blah! It worked out. Yea! Very good.
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A Reader posted a review at 2012-01-27 12:48:07.
(Language: English)
Sorry, did I like this? It will forever be the curse that was thrust upon me for high school english. All I can say in a positive note is that BlackAdder makes a good joke on her behalf.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-09-19 05:31:20.
(Language: English)
The best of Jane Austen's who's gonna do it novels.The dialogue is nothing short of hilarious. the various situations do a great job of showcasing lifes awkward moments where futures are decided.Of course her calm,witty and sensible hero always manages to snag the best available suitor while avoiding various unsuitable pretenders.The books serve as a model for social behaviour for single women of her time and could be called how to catch a man books.I don't know if real life in austens time matched austens ideal though i suspect not.yet These books do show England perhaps as a moral woman would want it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-03-28 10:51:35.
(Language: English)
Here's what Ralph Waldo Emerson had to say about Jane Austen's novels: "I am at a loss to understand why people hold Miss Austen's novels at so high a rate, which seem to me vulgar in tone, sterile in artistic invention, imprisoned in their wretched conventions of English society, without genius, wit, or knowledge of the world. Never was life so pinched and narrow. (...) All that interests in any character is this: has he or she the money to marry with? (...) Suicide is more respectable." If truth be told I have to agree with a great deal of what Mr. Emerson says. I believe that, while desiring to criticize Gregorian society, Austen does not manage to escape some of its conventions. The obsession with love affairs, money, class, and etiquette is present, just as you would expect it to be, and can get boring at times. And as much as Austen's heroine, Emma, appears to be ahead of her times, she still gives voice to the sexual, racial and social taboos and prejudices of her time. A couple of Gypsy children "terrorize" miss Smith by repeatedly asking her for money and the brave Frank Churchill comes to her "rescue". Emma is offended that the Coles, some neighbours who are merely merchants and have no titles or social status should invite them to their house. How dare they?? I could find many faults with the novel. Many moments where I thought "No! She didn't just say that!" But then I still need to explain the fact that I really really enjoyed it. And how can I do that if I'm constantly criticizing it? The thing is, I couldn't have picked a better time for this novel. Lazy spring days away from home, with nothing to do but entertain myself. That's when everyone should read Emma. Don't do it the disservice of reading it at your busiest. It's not a book that will draw you in immediately, nor a book that will have you frantically turning pages to see what happens. I dare say that, if you don't read it at the proper time, you might even mistake it for an extremely boring book. But that's exactly what Emma is not. What it is, is a book that has to be savoured slowly, calmly; a book that makes you follow its own pace. If one is to get attached to Austen's characters and their little (and highly exclusive) world, time and leisure are necessary ingredients. Once you've secured those ingredients, you might just start noticing the author's wit, her incredibly detailed and observing descriptions of the countryside, the insight she provides into her character's heads - even if it is only "aristocratic" heads we're talking about, not our mere mortal ones. Austen does one more gracious thing for her readers. She saves her love affairs from being sugar-coated, sappy clichés by inventing a little device of her own: quickly changing the subject. No fortunate event or happy occurrence is left there for the reader to dwell on. As soon as something good happens, Austen immediately counterbalances its effect with a comic line, or a mean comment, or a rather unwelcome piece of news. Perhaps this is what I loved most about the author's writing. No affairs are devoid of the ridiculous, no relationships idealized, no characters left uncriticized. Love confessions are met with scorn and snobbery, weddings are overshadowed by gossip about the bride or the mantelpiece. Austen mocks every single person in her book. And what about the ending? Will Austen allow her protagonist to live happily-ever-after and offer speeches about "true love"? Well I obviously won't tell you that but... "Mrs. Elton, from the particulars detailed by her husband, thought it all extremely shabby, and very inferior to her own—a most pitiful business!—Selina would stare when she heard of it'" (That, folks, is a quote from the very last page of the book! Gossip vs Love = 3 - Nil) (
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Jen posted a review at 2009-07-14 07:54:06.
(Language: English)
Review: Young Emma Woodhouse is surrounded by gentility and wealth, and is determined to see those around her happy. To that end she stops at nothing to match people she feels are best suited for one another, often at their expense. This leads to many misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and uncertainty on the part of one gently ambitious but often ignorant Emma.I'm a huge fan of both the Gwyneth Paltrow version of the film as well as the modern remake, Clueless, so I had a great time reading the book that was the source of both since so many of the situations and conversations were already familiar. How many of us have been in denial regarding who we like until it slaps us upside the head? Here is proof that this isn't a modern problem, but one that curses every young heart through time. Were we all to be as lucky in the outcome as Miss Woodhouse, maybe the world would be a happier place.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-23 07:02:11.
(Language: English)
I haven't read a Jane Austen novel in years. The last time I read one of her novels I was very young and it was not by choice. If you want to rediscover Jane Austen, start with Emma. This novel is about a very snobby, spoiled, and at times malicious young lady by the name of Emma Woodhouse. Emma lives in the village of Highbury with her hypchondriac father. After Emma's Governess, who throughout the book is known as Mrs Weston marries, Emma is left with a lot of time on her hands. I'm afraid she does not use this time wisely. Emma finds a new friend and protege in Harriet Smith, a young lady with an unknown past who Emma takes under her wing. Emma brings it upon herself to give young Harriet somewhat of a social makeover. She induces her to aspire to greatness and put on airs proper to a lady of Emma's class, although she's not even sure what class Harriet belongs to. When Harriet is offered marriage by a farmer by the name of Mr Martin, Emma is horrified! She convinces Harrriet that such a man is hardly worthy of her and intices her to find romance with the handsome but vain vicor, Mr Elton. Emma's disasterous matchmaking decison is the focus of the book. I found this novel incredibly amusing! Emma's unbashed snobbery, Harriet's ignorance, Mr Woodhouse's constant worry of illness befalling every character in the book. This book is literally laugh out loud funny at times. The novel features many other equally amusing characters. Mr Knightley, Emma's sister's brother-in-law, who is the one person in the novel to always tell Emma how it really is. The chatty and annoying Mrs Bates, the insufferable Augusta Elton who is almost as full of herself as Emma. When Jane Austen wrote this book she claimed no one but herself would like Emma Woodhouse. Emma is conceited and selfish, but the beauty of this book is that Emma is forced to come to terms with what her behavior has caused her and those she loves. The Emma you meet at the beginning of the novel is not the same Emma that you say goodbye to at the end. If you want a simple description of what this novel is about I will tell you that it is about a young lady's road to maturity and growth. Jane Austen isn't for everyone, but if you are curious or want to give her novels another try, start with Emma. It's guaranteed to renew your interest in one of the greatest writers in English literature. Five stars!!
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-11-09 06:07:13.
(Language: English)
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.
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A Reader posted a review at 2010-02-06 09:31:39.
(Language: English)
I read Emma and then I watched the movies and I still couldn't like Emma! Emma Woodhouse is a very annouying character!! She tries to influence the love-lives of her circle of friends in the small village of Highbury, I think she is a lucky girl, everyone see her as rich, beautiful and clever, but I think she is empty and jealous of Jane, and she doesn't know what she wants!! she is totally blind!! But all in all it is very good as a story, if you forgot how much the main charater is annoying!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-23 09:42:10.
(Language: English)
""'That is the case with us all, papa. One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.'" Emma(Esse é o caso de todos nós, papai. Metade do mundo não consegue compreender os prazeres da outra metade)Um ótimo exemplo da velha e doce boa vida ^^"Emma Woodhouse passava seus dias lentos e tranquilos pintando, desenhando, bordando, treinando arco-e-flecha, tomando chá, tocando pianoforte, cantando, conversando, paquerando o Frank, fofocando com sua ex-tutora e ex-Miss Taylor, discutindo com Mr. Knightley, fugindo de Miss Bates, caminhando, colhendo maçãs e morangos, cuidando de seu pai, escrevendo em seu diário, enfim... tudo o que eu pretendo fazer quando passar no vestibular..." (www.miss-litha.blogspot.com)
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-11 01:11:17.
(Language: English)
Emma is the culmination of Jane Austen's genius, a sparkling comedy of love and marriage.Emma Woodhouse is introduced to us as 'handsome, clever and rich' and, according to Jane Austen, a heroine 'which no one but myself would like'. Yet such is Emma's spirited wit that despite her superior airs and egotism, few readers have failed to succumb to her charm.The comedy turns on Emma's self-appointed role as energetic match-maker for her sweet, silly friend Harriet. Emma herself, meanwhile, is confidently immune to the charms of the male sex. Her emotional coming-of-age is woven into what Ronald Blythe has called 'the happiest of love stories, the most fiendishly difficult of detective stories and a matchless repository of English wit.' have read many of Jane Austens books and i found that 'Emma' is a well written book. Like Emma, Jane tells all the detail we need to know i feel that i could fall in love with the character and the surroundings.Quick-witted, beautiful, headstrong and rich, Emma Woodhouse is inordinately fond of match-making select inhabitants of the village of Highbury, yet aloof and oblivious as to the question of whom she herself might marry. This paradox multiplies the intrigues and sparkling ironies of Jane Austen's masterpiece, her comedy of a sentimental education through which Emma discovers a capacity for love and marriage. I like to see Emma in love, and in some doubt of return; it would do her good," Jane Austen has developed Emma's character well. When i read this book it makes me feel that i know Emma quite well.If you have read this book its a must for any Jane Austen fan.
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-07-28 06:32:37.
(Language: English)
This Jane Austen book has been lying in my bookcase for about two years now. I am sorry that I left it so long.Emma is a very lovable and cheerful protagonist,and cannot help herself from meddling( matchmaking) in others affairs.All the characters were crafted and developed with the usual Austen brilliance and style and as the reader, I was taken on a superb journey back to a period in history where, despite the obvious restraints on young ladies,seems to describe gentle amusing pastimes, and outings filled with angst and soul searching. The rules of society and manners seem archaic but are a wonderful glimpse into a bygone era. This is probably Austen's funniest book and I really enjoyed it.
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A Reader posted a review at 2007-09-15 02:28:27.
(Language: English)
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!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-08-10 09:45:21.
(Language: English)
I was initially wary about reading Jane Austen, because its a very intensive read and difficult to understand at times given the classical nature, but I'm glad I stuck it out and finished this. Its a sweet story in my opinion for although Emma is spoiled and somewhat oblivious, she realizes her flaws by the end in time to change her tune about Mr. Knightly. Its light, humorous (in its own way) and satisfying. My only complaint is the huge age difference between Emma and Mr. Knightly, which I suppose in those days was common, but I just find kind of creepy. Especially considering Mr. Knightly's YOUNGER brother is married to Emma's OLDER sister.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-02-09 04:26:22.
(Language: English)
This is quite possibly the worst book I have ever had the displeasure of TRYING to read. Emma is a spoiled brat intent on setting people up with each other, and Austen take forever to set the plotline, which isn't even a plot. It took me three months to read the first two chapters because it was so boring that I kept finding more interesting books to read instead. Jane Austen was a talented writer, and I absolutely LOVED Pride and Prejudice, but Emma can go in a dumpster for all I care. Finally, I just gave up and returned it to the school library.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-06-02 07:32:26.
(Language: English)
I've just re-read this, after twenty years, and it's helped me through an emotionally difficult time. No matter how awful I felt during the day, I returned to this book at night and enjoyed the company of Emma, Harriet and Emma's delightfully nervous father. The world of Jane Austen is now in some ways more alien than science-fictional societies on other planets, and that makes it a wonderful kind of escapism. But the characterisation, psychological penetration and sheer storytelling are real genius too, and 'Emma' is my favourite of Austen's books. Pure heart food.
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-01-23 11:11:28.
(Language: English)
In my opinion one of Austen's top 2 novels and all of them are wonderful!A brilliantly observed book showing human frailty and idiosyncracy set in the rigid social structure of the day.Emma is a comparatively independant-thinking woman. She only gets away with this in that society as she is rich and of high social status. Lots of resonances for today!Emma is lovable and appealing even though we know she is extremely flawed: spoilt, opinionated and interfering. There is a lot of humour and many recognisable types among the characters.In many ways she is the precursor of the women in modern romantic comedies eg Bridget Jones, say. A masterpiece!
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A Reader posted a review at 2008-11-18 02:56:20.
(Language: English)
I read this book in October as part of the Jane Austen Online Blog Book Club that I started myself (and apparently am the only member.) I enjoyed Emma...towards the end. I despised her character in the beginning of the novel and how she toyed around with Ms. Smith (whom she called her "friend" -- but let's be honest, who was she kidding?) It wasn't confusing to me why I liked Jane Fairfax more than the main character, Emma was a snob in the beginning. And then, when she fell for her brotherly-type friend, Mr. Knightly, all bets were off. It was like taming of the shrew to me, but I was happy to say the ending was much more pleasant than the insufferable and tedious beginning. All in all, reading Emma was a task, especially when you wanted to rip out the main character's face and slap her around a few times for her audacity to claim to know who belongs with who. The one enjoyable character who always made me laugh though was Mr. Woodhouse!
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A Reader posted a review at 2009-04-23 10:09:38.
(Language: English)
One of the most overrated books I have read, Emma rambles on pretty much about nothing for the first couple hundred of pages before all of a sudden the women in the story (Emma, Jane and Harriet) all marry and live happily ever after. *Spoiler Warning!* The book relies heavily on a basic plot that involves Emma befriending and matchmaking for Harriet, "the natural daughter of somebody". Against Mr. Knightley's advice, Emma leads Harriet, a sweet yet none-too-bright girl of seventeen through heartbreaks and confusion. She starts by persuading Miss Smith to refuse an advantageous marriage proposal from a respectable young farmer, Mr. Martin, whom Emma decides is not good enough for Harriet. Instead she recommand her to Mr. Elton, the local vicar who later reveal his wish to marry Emma. Emma, having rejected Mr. Elton, an arrogant and pompous social climber, now tries her hand in falling in love with Frank (largely because everyone says they make a handsome couple). Having not realise the situation she ultimately decide that Frank would suit Harriet better after he 'saves' her from a band of Gypsies. It was until Harriet decides to take charge of her own emotions and confide to Emma that she thinks Mr. Knightley is in love with her that jealousy forces Emma to realise that she loves Mr. Knightley herself. In the end, she marries Mr. Knightley, who has been in love with Emma all along, and dismisses her friendship with Harriet due to the inevitable class status. Shortly thereafter Harriet reconciles with her young farmer, Mr. Martin; Jane and Emma reconcile; and everyone lives happily. This story is inevitablely equivalent to a "19th Century chick lit" with a very weak plot that has little relevance in today's society. What we learn from Emma is that we cannot make friends nor can we marry outside our social circle. It also reveals that the selfish self-centred Emma with power and status would in the end get what she wants (the guy) even if it meant sacrifing a friendship which she began in the first place. In the end, Emma gets more then she deserves thus to be satisfied with this book is to allow and uphold in today's society all the stupid things that Emma has done: the importance of social class, status and power above the good of an individual. Therefore, I detest this book to the very end. Instead, I would recommend Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, a similar book with two better and more satisfying endings.
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