At first I wasn't too sure if I was going to make it past the first chapter of Emma. I have attempted to read it a few different times, but could just never get past chapter 1. But I am proud to say that not only did I make it past chapter 1, I actually finished the entire book! WOOHOO! I was quite excited and despite having moments of not liking it at all, I did enjoy Emma overall. It didn't make it to the favorites list and probably won't be a re-read for quite some time. But overall, it was a good read and I am glad that I stuck with it.
One of the things that I really just couldn't get past or enjoy or appreciate was Emma herself. She was such a silly, petty, gossipy, nosy, young lady. Not to mention rude and ridiculous. I know she was Miss Austen's main character and so I can't rip her a part too much. But my goodness. She drove me crazier than Mrs. Norris in Mansfield Park I think. I just don't have much patience for girls like her. For girls who are so caught up in other people's business that they aren't paying attention to their own actions, thoughts and character. For girls who are more worried about the gossip of the day than the little services that need to be attended to. For girls who don't watch what they say and cause more harm than good. Now, granted she did change her ways some by the end and she did begin to care more about others than herself and her plans for how life should work out for others. But it took a lot to get her to that point and unfortunately it was just too much for me to endure.
However, the one thing I did really appreciate was how much character development there was in everyone. Miss Austen really outdid herself in the way she built her characters throughout the entire story. From the introductions to the end pictures of their character traits and personalities. I enjoyed getting to know each character, even though some of them (like Emma herself) drove me a little crazy. Miss Austen clearly knew how to write characters and write them well. She made you love or hate them, as well as grow with them as the story continued on. She made her characters become aware of themselves and at the same time challenged her readers to become more aware of themselves in light of Emma and her friends. To look at oneself and see what things weren't so nice or needed some work. I appreciated that a great deal and think that of all of her books Emma has done that the best.
While Emma isn't a favorite I am glad to have read it and to have read it in it's entirety. It was a challenge, but a good one. And now, I am off to read some more!
Happy reading!
One of the things that I really just couldn't get past or enjoy or appreciate was Emma herself. She was such a silly, petty, gossipy, nosy, young lady. Not to mention rude and ridiculous. I know she was Miss Austen's main character and so I can't rip her a part too much. But my goodness. She drove me crazier than Mrs. Norris in Mansfield Park I think. I just don't have much patience for girls like her. For girls who are so caught up in other people's business that they aren't paying attention to their own actions, thoughts and character. For girls who are more worried about the gossip of the day than the little services that need to be attended to. For girls who don't watch what they say and cause more harm than good. Now, granted she did change her ways some by the end and she did begin to care more about others than herself and her plans for how life should work out for others. But it took a lot to get her to that point and unfortunately it was just too much for me to endure.
However, the one thing I did really appreciate was how much character development there was in everyone. Miss Austen really outdid herself in the way she built her characters throughout the entire story. From the introductions to the end pictures of their character traits and personalities. I enjoyed getting to know each character, even though some of them (like Emma herself) drove me a little crazy. Miss Austen clearly knew how to write characters and write them well. She made you love or hate them, as well as grow with them as the story continued on. She made her characters become aware of themselves and at the same time challenged her readers to become more aware of themselves in light of Emma and her friends. To look at oneself and see what things weren't so nice or needed some work. I appreciated that a great deal and think that of all of her books Emma has done that the best.
While Emma isn't a favorite I am glad to have read it and to have read it in it's entirety. It was a challenge, but a good one. And now, I am off to read some more!
Happy reading!
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