Emma: A Novel

Jane Austen

Jan 1886 · R. Bentley

Ratings and reviews

Emma, I believe, is my least favourite of all of Austin's novels. It seemed drawn out too much, particularly with Ms Bates. Perhaps Austen was trying to relay her character in full through paragraphs of relentless chatter. Perhaps Austen did her job well as an artist for she truly portrayed a character in Ms Bates whom would try the patience of a Saint. However tedious the read may have been in some parts, I did enjoy the story, and I feel satisfied in saying, I read Emma. whew.

My second Jane Austen read & I'm thoroughly disappointed. 'Emma' is the most obnoxious, clueless (hence the movie name), stupid,irritating character I've had the displeasure of reading. For most of the book's entirety, the story moves so painfully slow, so long winded--why does she have to write Miss Bates' dialogue in full?! The story itself is bland & the characters are either obnoxiously too stupid, too gray.Mr. Knightley being a pedo killed the book but the love story of Frank & Jane was tolerably cute.

Emma is one of my favorite characters in literature. She is a spoiled brat, and a snob, with far too high an opinion of her own intelligence, but she is also vivacious and genuinely good-hearted. As the book progresses she sees her flaws and works to correct them. The only reason why I rate this below Pride and Prejudice on the "Jane Austen" scale is that Emma's love interest is not nearly as interesting as she is; he is in the "too perfect" camp instead.