Jane Austen discussion

I know Emma isn't a favorite of many people, a spoiled rich girl. But I love her, she is bored and needs something to fill her time and what better activity than match make. She has a good heart and loves her family dearly. She was kind of blind but that is what makes the story intersting.

I agree Katherine. I love Emma for all the reasons you have said. I love the humour and Knightley <3 the banter between them is great and love their whole relationship!
Love the different pairing which are Suspected by people throughout the novel involving Emma, Knightley, Harriet, Jane, Churchill and Elton !! ;D

I really do love the love matches she does!! it never fails to make me giggle!!

Yeah. Although if Mr. Knightley hadn't been around to scold her every now and then, she wouldn't have been very likeable. Still, this is one of my faves. Did anybody think that Mr. Knightley wasn't in the book often enough? To me, it seemed like he wasn't around too much. Maybe I need to re-read it.

I do know what you mean. He is around more in the book than in the films but yes. I think he should be around more...

Mr. Tilney is so much more real than Mr. Knightley to me!!

I think that is debatable. Both show jealousy and other faults. But i do see your point. :)

Steph wrote: "I love the book where you learn so much more about the Knightly family. I love the ending where Mr. Knightly tells Emma more of how his love for her grew from when she was young and yet he didn't s..."

couldn't have put it better myself!
it is always great to read the novels as well, as they are always more detailed!

Well said Steph :)

Does anybody find it disturbing that Mr. Knightley loved Emma when she was 13 and he 24?

I was annoyed with the heroine throughout the book. My annoyance soften a bit when she suddenly loved Mr. Knightley and her views on Harriet and Robert changed. I am wondering if the novel should have been developed around Frank and Jane. However, can I be indiscreet to Austen's pen to suggest such?

Emma is my least favoured Austen novel. I do not take kindly to folks meddling in other folks heart. Emma almost destroyed Harriet and I was not satisfied that she (Emma) ways changed at the end of the novel.

Ems character is what annoys many people and put her low on the list for many. For me, I take it on the chin and find her very fun! Her conversations with Knightley and many other characters are fun to read!

As for her relationship with Knightley. I used to think... Weird. But not now. It was more normal. (Marianne and Brandon similar age gap) also, I think when he says he loved her since she was a little girl that was more brotherly type love, and that it didn't turn to real love until Emma was grown up. So, it doesn't bother me.

ok

Marren wrote: "Does anybody find it disturbing that Mr. Knightley loved Emma when she was 13 and he 24?


I agree with Soph about the brotherly love, but also remember that girls became women at a younger age back then... Girls were often married at 15 or 16, so 13 isn't as young as it is now. I'd find it strange if a 24 year old fell in love with a 16 or 17 year old personally, let alone 13 - but things were different then, it was more acceptable to marry young, etc.

i finished it couple days ago and my reaction: KNIGHTLEY AND EMMA?????WHAT??????

What? !! You didn't like?

nah i was in shock but i guess it was sweet

Really? You didn't see it coming? Did it improve in your opinion as you went? Did you suspect the Jane/Frank thing?

no not really i was a bit confused approaching that too many characters and who likes who but i think the jane frank was deserved i wasnt too upset but the whole harriet thing and their ruined relationship is sad

Yes it is but at least Harriet and Martin got married in the end :)

true that although i found emma rather foolish

true that although i found emma rather foolish

She is yes! Spoilt! But she has matured through the novel! :)

yes thats good character developement

:)

Northanger Abbey I reckon next for you :)

lena said sense and sensibility :)

One of those!! :)

My impressions about this book were that is was very slow and even a little boring in the first two thirds.

Emma was a spoiled brat, and I couldn't really identify with her much - I just wanted to slap her most of the time. But I do like to think is was love for Knightley that changed her, rather than just Knightley himself, if anyone understands what I mean by that.

Anyway, the last third was brilliant. After being completely OK with Brandon and Marianne, I could hardly complain about Knightley and Emma. I quite liked the match actually.

Hey Becca, long time, no chat :D.

I see my feelings for Emma is not that much different from yours.

Hi Marren! Yeah, I've been quite absent for a while, I've been catching up on the Austen books I hadn't read - now all I have left is two thirds of Mansfield Park. :)

:D I'm glad you agree with me! Though not about the film, from what I saw on the other thread... :)

Haha, that happens :)

It is a slower beginning I agree but I think I find Emma funny and she doesn't annoy me loads, she does annoy me at times though. The story is clever I think.

It is clever - but still annoying! :D

I've always liked Emma and never found it slow.

I did find the first half of Persuasion a little slow the first time I read it but as I've got older it doesn't seem so bad.

I agree about persuasion. And I think I enjoyed the second reading of Emma more because I was watching out for clues Etc and had got better with the language! :)

i agree marren it was different from the others or maybe bc i read it in paperback not ebook lol

Oh, it is not the paperback or ebook, me dear :P

haha :)

First, excuse my spamming! I'm bored.

Emma is my least favourite of Austen's. I never liked it, and found it if not boring, slow and uninteresting.

It just wasn't my cup of tea :)

First, excuse my spamming! I'm bored.

Emma is my least favourite of Austen's. I never liked it, and found it if not boring, slow and uninteresting.

It just wasn't my cup of tea :)

I understand dislike of Emma more - although I love her!

Just finished!!!!! My thoughts here: http://readingwithalice.blogspot.com/...

Just finished too, and I absolutely loved it!! My favourite Austen so far!! :D

Brilliant review Alice - see my comment on the post. :)

I am so glad you both enjoyed it! I knew that you would love it!

Your favourite so far Anne?! Wow!! Glad you read it eventually then?!

Oh yes, I am so glad I finally read it! I had a feeling it would become my favourite, because I loved the movies so much! I only have Northanger Abbey left to read...we shall see if it will surpass it, but I don't think so!

I doubt it will surpass but it's a great one! It is very funny to read Jane Austen making fun of the gothic style!

I haven't read Northanger either. I am looking forward to it.

Well we have that and Mansfield Park left for group reads :)

I haven't read Mansfield park either.

I will do a poll for the next group read. But not quite yet. :)