Elena. reviewed Emma by Jane Austen
Jane Austen at her best
5 stars
Nothing much happens in this book, and yet it is never boring. It's full of speech, and greatly written one a that. Besides the dialogues it is of course Austen's free indirect style that makes this book an absolute delight to read. Highbury and its surroundings is populated by distinct and very entertaining characters, ones to (love to) hate and ones to like; e.g. Mr & Mrs Elton on one side, and Mr. Woodhouse and Miss Bates on the other.
English is not my native language and although I would say I'm not too bad at it, I did have difficulties understanding things at times, especially in the last few chapters, but also throughout. But I didn't bother deciphering the meaning of those sentences this time. Maybe at a later date when I'll read it again. I don't think I missed more than a few minute details about some …
Nothing much happens in this book, and yet it is never boring. It's full of speech, and greatly written one a that. Besides the dialogues it is of course Austen's free indirect style that makes this book an absolute delight to read. Highbury and its surroundings is populated by distinct and very entertaining characters, ones to (love to) hate and ones to like; e.g. Mr & Mrs Elton on one side, and Mr. Woodhouse and Miss Bates on the other.
English is not my native language and although I would say I'm not too bad at it, I did have difficulties understanding things at times, especially in the last few chapters, but also throughout. But I didn't bother deciphering the meaning of those sentences this time. Maybe at a later date when I'll read it again. I don't think I missed more than a few minute details about some characters' thoughts and feelings that do not take away from understanding the story at large.
I'm finally reading Austen's books in English this year, after almost 30 years of loving her work. Emma is one of my top favourite of hers.
