Rating: 
Summary: Austen at Her Best
Review: Many writers and critics consider Emma, the last of Austen's novels published in her lifetime, the climax of her genius. Dominating the novel is the character of Emma Woodhouse--vital, Interesting, complex, and predisposed to playing power games with other people's emotions. Austen called her a heroine "no one but myself would like," but she endures as one of Austen's immortal creations. Charting how Emma's disastrous foray as a matchmaker precipitates a crisis in the small provincial world of Highbury, and in her own heart, this novel of self-deceit and self-discovery sparkles with intelligence, wit, and irony. In fact, as critics say,Emma is indeed a fine piece of work which was was written, surprisingly, by someone who lived a rather secluded life. It has all the Austen trademarks, as the constant concern over marriage and social status, which was a poignant and true characteristic of her time.
Rating: 
Summary: Charming, but overrated
Review: I enjoyed the quaintness of Emma's society. The heroine, Emma, was hilarious, especially when her schemes backfired. However, Austen's EMMA resembles modern day soap operas. As an example the heartbreaks of Harriet and the maliciousness of Mrs. Elton can be found on any episode of _The Young and the Restless_(granted, though, without the strong sexual content). Just like a soap opera, EMMA and the contents wherein get tedious. Suggestion to the would-be reader: don't linger in Emma's world for too long; the story will be better if done so.
Rating:
Summary: Fiona Shaw Takes the Cake
Review: No one reads a book like Fiona Shaw. No matter what she narrates, her voice weaves a golden web, entrapping the listener with great charm and ease. Shaw's narration of Emma is no exception. Jane Austen's ambitious matchmaker and her circle of friends come vibrantly to life as Shaw's beautifully modulated voice gives each character his or her own pitch and tone. You hear Mr. Knightly chide Emma for her recklessness and "poor Miss Taylor" speculate that Miss Fairfax and Mr. Knightly are "a couple." Their voices come alive entrancingly. Austen's story is wonderful to read, but Fiona Shaw makes it an even greater treat to listen to. I give her narration the highest possible recommendation. Here's to more from Ms. Shaw!
Rating: 
Summary: Rip off of movie Clueless
Review: Best I can figure this Jane Auston woman
stoll the plot of Clueless and rote a book.
Too many coincidences to make me believe
anything else. Why Alecia Sivlerstone
doesn't sue Jane Austin is beyond me!
Rating:
Summary: You'll be sorry when it ends
Review: Jane Austen was a truly gifted author whose simple stories, memorable characters, and insights into human nature make her writings as relevant today as they were in the early 1800's. Emma is the story of an attractive and fortunate young woman who has never had anything really bad happen in her life, and who believes herself to be much more wise and worldly than she actually is. For one who has led such a sheltered existence, never leaving home or intending to marry, Emma believes herself possessed of incredible powers of perception and feels that she knows what is best for those she loves far better than they could possibly know for themselves. It is this belief of hers that causes her to meddle in the affairs of those close to her, creating chaos, confusion, and misunderstandings everywhere. Her well-intentioned interference produes comical results and eventually teaches her a valuable lession about minding one's own beeswax. I was sorry to see this book end
Rating:
Summary: Bubbly and uplifting cunningly mixed with reality.
Review: I have read few books written with such a brilliant pen. There is more than a touch of sarcasm when Austen writes of society, but this is perhaps what keeps this book so alive. It is surprising how little society has really changed since the Victorian era. Emma comes across as a spoilt child, but lovable, as there is a shade of Emma in all of us. We all share the need to be involved in everything, and meddle with everyone's affairs, and there is a tale of unrequited love in all of our histories, even for a short time. I have not yet seen the film, as I am not sure of whether or not this would spoil it, as though there can be no doubt about the brilliance of Hollywood, Jane Austen should be present to direct it
Rating:
Summary: Sweetly poignant and magically uplifting
Review: Emma is perhaps one of Miss Austen's most controversial heroines. From the age of match-makers and suppressed feminism, comes a book which makes you angry, ashamed and overpowered along with Emma herself. Accused of being materialistic, Jane Austen has written a timeless tale of a pretty girl living on the assurance of beauty, sensitivity, and wealth, and perhaps there is more than a touch of money in this story, but in this century, and the one past, there is more than a touch of money in everyone's story. In every story comes a lesson for everyone, and Emma is no exeption
Rating: 
Summary: Classically loved in a good way. Confusion reins supreme.
Review: Emma is a loveable character who isn't really sure what she wants at first. Lucky she has such a good friend to help her out, right? Basically a good person who in trying to help her friend find the perfect guy and wildly failing, and doesn't realize she fell in love herself. Unforatunatly her friend has a small crush, ON THE SAME GUY. The classics are always the best and they bring you back to basics. Try it, It's pretty good
Rating:
Summary: Reads a lot like the plot of the movie Clueless
Review: Too many similiarities between this book and the much better Alicia Silverstone movie Clueless for me to recommend it to everyone but all in all if you like your teen comedies set in Victorian england and not LA, go for it. Grab it before Hollywood discovers the similarities and gets it yanked off the shelf with a court order. Maybe Austen can write her next one based on the plot of Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. Set it South Africa during the Boar war or something
Rating: 
Summary: Just OK
Review: The first 2 Jane Austen books I read were Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility. Both I considered excellent books, Pride and Prejudice being my favorite. I had high hopes of Emma, considering it had been made into the modern movie "Clueless". However, I have found this book very tiresome and it took me a long time to trudge my way through it. It may be the fact that I didn't like the main character as I had in the other books, but this book really went by slowly. It wasn't that bad of a story and really deserves 2 1/2 stars instead of the given 2 stars, but thats not an option. I would still recommend people to read the book for the good plot behind slow movement and seeing this prideful heroine transformed into a more likeable person.
|
