Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

Emma
This topic is about Emma
228 views
Previous BRs - Authors; A - D > Austen, Jane - Emma - Informal Buddy Read; Starts July 7, 2015

Comments Showing 1-42 of 42 (42 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief (new)

Moderators of NBRC | 33523 comments Mod
This topic is open for discussion of Emma by Jane Austen




Book Synopsis:
'I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.'

Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.


message 2: by Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief (new)

Moderators of NBRC | 33523 comments Mod
Reserved


message 3: by Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief (new)

Moderators of NBRC | 33523 comments Mod
Reserved


message 4: by [deleted user] (new)

I just finished chapter one--I expected it to be a challenging read, but it's not too bad, actually. I'm not sure whether I like the title character or not.


By the way, I didn't understand who Mr. Knightley was supposed to be?


message 5: by [deleted user] (new)

Thanks for clarifying. :)

I need to start reading this again--I got into some other books. *sigh*


message 6: by [deleted user] (new)

Miss Taylor was Emma's governess not maid and Mr Knightley is in no way related to her. Mr Knightley owns a neighbouring estate and is friends with the Woodhouses as well as being Emma's brother in law (her sister is married to his brother). Mr Knightley is the only person living locally (mentioned in the book) who is the same social status as the Woodhouses.


message 7: by [deleted user] (new)

How did I let myself forget this? I'll read it eventually....


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Raevyn wrote: "How did I let myself forget this? I'll read it eventually...."

It happens :)

Have any idea when? I might join you. It's not my favorite JA so if I have buddy I might force myself to read it again :)


message 9: by [deleted user] (new)

Maybe today. I'm not sure. Thanks. :)


message 10: by Emily (last edited Jun 30, 2015 09:34PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments I'd reread it with the two of you, if you'd like.
But fair warning- I'm completely in love with Mr. Knightley; he's quite possibly my favorite literary hero. ;)


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Give me couple of days if you want to start now. I'm still trying to catch up on some books from last month (if I ever get them from library again!)

I probably wouldn't mind Emma that much if I didn't watched movie with Gwyneth Paltrow. That ruined it for me definitely. Not even later versions could change my mind *sigh*


Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments ❀Tea❀ wrote: "Give me couple of days if you want to start now. I'm still trying to catch up on some books from last month (if I ever get them from library again!)

I probably wouldn't mind Emma that much if I di..."


No problem.
Really? I liked that movie version- what made you hate it so much?


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Emily wrote: "Really? I liked that movie version- what made you hate it so much? "

Gwyneth. I can't stand her. :)
Same thing with Emma Thompson's and Hugh Grant's version of Sense and Sensibility. I just didn't like Emma's version of Elinor. At least in case of S&S I've read book first so it didn't ruin my love for it :)


message 14: by Katy (new)

Katy Hill (kehill17) I haven't done a buddy read yet, but would like to start with this one! Will it begin soon or do I have some time to get the book yet? Thank you :)


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Katy wrote: "I haven't done a buddy read yet, but would like to start with this one! Will it begin soon or do I have some time to get the book yet? Thank you :)"

As far as I know we don't have fixed date.
By the comments I'm guessing rest of us has book, so when do you think you can get it?
I'm not in the hurry so any date is good for me :)

And welcome to the group :)


Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments ❀Tea❀ wrote: "Katy wrote: "I haven't done a buddy read yet, but would like to start with this one! Will it begin soon or do I have some time to get the book yet? Thank you :)"

As far as I know we don't have fix..."


Same here. No rush, whenever all of you would like to start is great.


message 17: by Katy (new)

Katy Hill (kehill17) I got it! At least I think/hope it's the right version as everyone--so many to choose from. Thank you for the welcome and waiting for me to get the book :)


message 18: by Rawan (new)

Rawan (roonehreads) | 10 comments can i join as well? since you haven't started it yet


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Of course you can :)

How does Monday sound to all of you? Or you'd prefer another day?


message 20: by Rawan (new)

Rawan (roonehreads) | 10 comments sure Monday sounds good, yay i can't wait ^^!!


message 21: by Katy (new)

Katy Hill (kehill17) Nope, Monday works perfectly! Looking forward to it ^_^


Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments Monday sounds good :)


Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments I'm up to chapter 3. I'm finding Jane Austen's writing quite a bit easier to read this time around than I remember it being in the past. For those of you reading this for the first time: the writing can be challenging to understand, but it's definitely worth it! And it does get easier as you get more used to it.
How much I love Jane Austen is coming back to me so quickly! Two of my (many) favorite things about her:
1. How wonderfully, deftly, and realistically she is able to describe people's foibles (plus the workings of their minds and their relationships with each other).
2. That she is able to make fun of characters to great effect while still making them likable- just as she satirizes her society without necessarily criticizing it.
How about you guys- what do you like (or dislike) about Jane Austen's writing?
I'm struck by the difference in how people were described back then compared to now- it's all about their disposition, temper, character, manners, etc. And, of course, how important social position and connections are viewed. How important do you guys think these are in modern society? I wonder if social position, as distinct from wealth, is less important in America than in Britain, even now.


message 24: by Katy (new)

Katy Hill (kehill17) I'm still working through chapter 2. The writing is a little more challenging than I'm used to (one too many YA novels recently I think). It's so beautiful though and it's definitely adding to my vocabulary. I am liking Jane Austen’s descriptions of not just the people but the scene itself. Everything just seems to come to life off the page while I read. Not just her writing, but with other authors during this time period, I enjoy the English that is used. They use more words and take the time to express the thoughts or ideas, even if it takes ten pages, rather than trying to get as much as they can into as few of words/pages as possible.

I agree with you, Emily, on her description of people. I also think it is different than how we describe others today. She seems to try to describe people to their core rather than just what appears on the outside. In my opinion, we seem to be more superficial (e.g. looks, style) in our descriptions at least from what I have experienced here in the States. That being said, I do feel social position is (sadly) still a part of today's life when it comes to people’s interactions with those in different wealth status, race, professions, etc. I grew up in Pittsburgh but have worked in DC for the last 4 years so I don't want to assume this is the same in the entire country or in other countries for that matter.


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments I decided to try with audiobook this time. It would probably mean I won't be commenting much (or at least starting. I'll answer your comments ☺)

Also I tried to forget my prejudice, but that fell apart as soon as I read Emma's description *sigh*


I love JA's writting. Her descriptions and wit. Usually I need chapter or two to switch to classics writing style, but later I don't even notice it. I'd also like to point out that I'm not native English speaker, so this books tend to go in slower pace than my usual.

Also I agree with Katy. Today we are more concerned with looks than character. And social position and connections are still important (sadly). It just might not be that obvious as then.


Marie (UK) (mazza1) | 5952 comments Can i join in and have you started?


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments I got as far as chapter 4 so yeah, you can join. You'll have at least me to chat with :)


Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments Definitely, Marie. I'm on chapter 11, so not even a quarter of the way through (although I've read it before).
I'm really enjoying it! It's a refreshing change from all the YA I've been reading recently.
(view spoiler)
I hadn't noticed before that Emma is somewhat a proto-feminist. She doesn't plan to marry and have children (in a time when that was supposed to be a woman's purpose), desires to keep her independence, and (view spoiler) It makes sense for Emma to take this position since Jane Austen never married.


message 29: by Katy (new)

Katy Hill (kehill17) I'm still working through Chapter 6 so you have plenty of time to catch up! :D

Emily, that kind of makes sense now that you said that about her being a protofeminist. I could imagine at that time how much of a scandal that would be for her to have opinions such as though where today we would barely bat an eye if a woman would say that. I did wonder though if (view spoiler) I may have misread or taken that part of the story wrong though.


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Katy wrote: "under spoiler"

(view spoiler)


message 31: by Katy (new)

Katy Hill (kehill17) (view spoiler)


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Katy wrote: "[spoilers removed]"

*phew*
I'm not only one :)


Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments Katy and Tea, I completely agree that (view spoiler)
I do understand your issues with Emma to some degree, Tea. She is a very flawed character. (view spoiler)


message 34: by [deleted user] (new)

I'll read this eventually, but I'm basically dropping out of the buddy-read because I have so many other books to read.

Sorry.

I hope everyone enjoys the book.


message 35: by Rawan (new)

Rawan (roonehreads) | 10 comments i'm going to start this tomorrow aahh god i'm lazy these days


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Rawan wrote: "i'm going to start this tomorrow aahh god i'm lazy these days"

Don't worry. I've been on ch 4 for days now :)


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Raevyn wrote: "I'll read this eventually, but I'm basically dropping out of the buddy-read because I have so many other books to read.

Sorry.

I hope everyone enjoys the book."


That ok. Maybe another time. :)


Marie (UK) (mazza1) | 5952 comments I got to chapter 3 and wanted to die. I am sorry but this one is not for me


❀Tea❀ (ttea) | 9626 comments Marie wrote: "I got to chapter 3 and wanted to die. I am sorry but this one is not for me"

No problem.


message 40: by Katy (new)

Katy Hill (kehill17) I just began Chapter 11. So far, my opinion really hasn't changed much on Emma. I feel like she tries to have good intentions but they seem to stem more from her own wants rather that for the good of others. I noticed that quite a bit in Chapter 10.


Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments I've just finished chapter 15. Emma has just had her first eye-opening moment. There are a series of these throughout the book that convince her to reverse some of her attitudes and views, to be less arrogant, head-strong, snobbish, manipulative, self-centered, etc.
A friend of mine who's a bit of an amateur Jane Austen expert said that "Emma the book is the story of how a spoiled brat wakes up."


Emily Kelsall (emilythebooknerd) | 1388 comments As I'm finding in chapter 16, the changes in Emma are neither instantaneous nor complete. She's not a perfect person by the end of the book either, just an improved one. But, obviously, I think that's more realistic.


back to top

unread topics | mark unread


Books mentioned in this topic

Emma (other topics)

Authors mentioned in this topic

Jane Austen (other topics)