Emma (Penguin Clothbound Classics)

This one-star review is not for Jane Austen's brilliant and remarkable story; it is for the physical softcover book published by Penguin. Ever since Penguin redesigned their books and changed the book bindings in the last few years, all of their books have greatly degraded in quality. The books are cheap and are not at all a pleasure to read. Instead, reading these books is an experience of disappointment and frustration because of their terrible bindings. I am not careless of my books, and I have never had new books fall apart even after repeated readings. Yet, for this edition of Emma, I had not even FINISHED reading the book when entire pages began falling out because of whatever cheap glue and binding process Penguin now uses. Penguin has gone from being a beloved publisher that had reliable editions of all the classic books that I could want to being a horrible publishing company obsessed with creating cheap editions of beloved books and selling them for far more than the copies are worth. This has been noticeable not only in Emma, but also in their other editions. I DO NOT recommend anyone to buy this particular edition of Emma, nor do I recommend any other Penguin edition of books.

I would of probably not have read Austin for awhile if not brought to my attention by the late Patrick Obrian.I found it interesting that thew super masculine author of Master and Commander + the 21 volumes that followed -would so often dedicate his books to Jane Austin. The few existing interviews that exist of Obrian also quote him as listing Austin as one of his main literary idols.I therefore read Emma and thoroughly enjoyed it with the psychological factors --just like Obrian- being the standout element.Emma resembles a person who has many character defects due to her high society upbringing and blood ties.This type of character sets the stage for interesting insights in to human nature in relation to types of control that people have on others. Emma enjoys moving people around like pieces of chess. She finds satisfaction in the cause and effect of social situations involving people and a unhealthy interest in being in control of others destiny.Emma is a character study of a person who, due to a higher class in society, employs a convoluted or almost perverse sense of ethics in relation to the importance of socioeconomic status. This story is important because it shows how higher classes of people form their own subculture based on degree of wealth or mainly in the times of Emma--blood ties. These deviations of the equlibrium in socio-climate can lead to some very mean spirited people such as the negative qualities of Emma.Emma is an interesting case because she begins to see the light and changes for the better throughout. I am not giving away anything by saying this because it is apparent from the beginning. The beauty of this story is watching the changes. This seemed to me to be advanced in the psychological/satirical elements such as the father who's intelligence level is constantly poked fun at indirectly. Austen is darkly comedic with her repition on her father always turning to topics such as the weather or the temperature of the room to indicate Emmas and her fathers cultered/acedemic differences. I have read very lightly about anagrams in Austins work and i feel the father figure represent the standard male dominance of the time. As an author speaking through her fiction i feel she is making an early woman's power statement hidden within the character of her father and Emmas intellectual divide.We often find Emma separating herself to talk to her friends that are on her level trying to escape her father. Emma is a strong character and we see her battle with her own demons and attempt to fix her own faults. I did not get the feel that this was primitive due to the time it was written. I felt like i was reading a deep character study with very smart psychological elements.

Legend has it that JA wanted to create a heroine nobody (but herself) would like. That makes me wonder two things:Could anyone like Emma?Who is like Emma?Many of the characters are truly unlikeable, including Emma. From spineless to unyielding, boring to broody, each seems to reflect yet another way people can be vain, selfish, and exhausting.By the end of the story, I kind of disliked everyone. And then, I paused my disdain and judgement for the characters just long enough to recognize that I knew people with those faults. Worse yet, I recognized many of my own vain, dislikable tendencies in the thoughts, words, and desires of these characters.While perhaps I keep my selfish conceit less expressed (and hopefully less unrestrained in general), I recognize I probably still have many attitudes of entitlement and trappings of modern privilege to unravel before I safely assume I’d never remind anyone of these 19th century entitled, bratty, selfish characters.Likeable, probably not. But did JA hold a mirror to the world long that still applies? Probably yes.

Imagine you decide you're so amazing you can "shape" another person. You, in fact, are so f'ing amazing you think you can choose who the other person marries. Your explanation? If your "friend" marries Mr. Farmboy, you will never see her again because … you cannot lower yourself to Farmboy-level. The entire book is focused on who has what status, who has the nerve to rise above their station, and the horses are more cared for than the servants. Goodness forbid that the horses get cold or tired! The man responsible for carting your self-obsessed butt around doesn't matter, does he? Of course not. He's far too common. Horses and a fine carriage are, after all, status symbols. Everyone has a servant.The only thing that would have saved this book would be if the "friend" and the mentor/inappropriately older man were screwing with Emma. That would've been five stars. As it is, I've got to say I'm sorry I lowered myself to read to the end.

The physical book is lovely. I adore these editions. They are lovely to hold while reading. Sadly, the story (or lack there of) of this particular book was a letdown.If a single man ever read this book, it’s no wonder why generations of men believe that women do nothing but prattle on about useless nonsense. The ending was wholly unbelievable. Out of nowhere Emma suddenly has the capacity to love a man (or anything other than the sound of her own voice)? There is nothing to like here. Pretentious, self important language. Classism from beginning to end with a smattering of racism to top it off. An utter lack of plot. Pass. The BBC miniseries was better.

This for me is one of those books akin to putting on an old cosy pullover, simply because I find myself transported straight into Highbury and its characters. Although this wasn’t the last of Austen’s novels to be published, it was the last in her lifetime.Set in and around the fictional village of Highbury, Surrey so we also take in the bigger houses and estates in the area. At one of the larger houses lives Emma with her father, her sister being already married. Jane Austen before she started writing this had already said that she was going to create a character that people would probably not like, but in fact Emma has been liked, and still is, as we see her develop in this tale.Thinking herself a matchmaker so we see Emma going about trying to find a suitable suitor for Harriet, although she has one, which so Emma believes is beneath her. And with her dabbling and outspoken manner so we see the consequences of her actions, not even realising when others are in thrall to her charms.With some unforgettable characters, such as the fussy, dithering and rather old maidenish Mr Woodhouse, we also have the non-stop talking Miss Bates, who makes a great comic character, as well as others. With Highbury also appearing here quite a bit, so the place really comes to life, instead of being just a backdrop, showing Austen was on top form and creating something with a bit more realism and substance.Full of wit and insight into the characters this has some great sparkling dialogue and is a joy to read. A comedy of manners, as well as what we nowadays term a romantic comedy, this also takes in the place of women at the period and social status. There is lots of incident here with its dances and other events, as well as a lot of eating – so probably not the best book to read if you are on a diet.With so many adaptations most people have already seen this, if not read it before, but it certainly pays to read this and come back to it, as it is something that is just so enjoyable.

I Love these Jane Austin clothbound books this one will be added to my collection.I only gave 3 stars as I am very disappointed with the addition of a sticky label on the back with the bar code and price on. I understand you need to have these bar codes on books, but sticking it to the back of a beautifully bound book has ruined it. I took the label off and now have a sticky patch and it’s pulled some of the design off.Abit of a let down on what it’s a Beautiful book.

I'm a passionate fan of Jane Austen and treated myself to all her books in cloth bound version. The cover design is gorgeous and striking.Emma is a wonderful story of a wealthy but not very wise matchmaker who's meddling causes some unfortunate incidents but true to Austen there's a happy ending. Definitely worth reading.It's surprising how many movies and adaptions have been made based on this plot - Clueless starring Alicia Silverstone and Paul Rudd and BBC adaption starring Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong are my favourites.

Before I say anything I should ‘fess up to being a 65 year old male and therefore probably not the target audience for this book!! I found the style very dated ( not really a criticism as it was written in the early 1800s ) and concentrated on the privileged classes and their visits and affairs. I am afraid I got bored and couldn’t relate to the characters so I didn’t finish the book which is rare and something I don’t like to do. Before you think I am just a jaded old man my younger sister also felt the same and gave up on it too.

Emma by Jane AustenI loved this book but then I am an old romantic.Emma is a young woman who likes to think of herself as a matchmaker, however it turns out that she is not that particularly good at it. Emma herself is not interested in marriage instead she is totally dedicated to the well being of her father.There are funny moments as embarrassing blunders occur and each character tries their upmost to be socially agreeable. Blunders! I love that word. There is a lot of visiting each other's homes and a lovely ball. The characters are hilarious, such as Mrs Elton who is full of her own importance. It's very romantic and I loved that.Overall I would recommend this charming story to a historical fiction reader. I preferred Emma to Pride and Prejudice but really loved them both.I have read two Jane Austen Novels now and love her writing. I shall definitely read more. Jane was an English writer who lived from 1775 to 1817. She published Emma in 1816.