So, I’ve read Pride and Prejudice, and I loved it; it was a fan favorite of my family. Also, the movie and TV show adaptations slap, especially Pride and Prejudice and Zombies—so freaking good! (Side note: P&P&Z is also a book, and it’s so good as well!) But, I’ve automatically transferred that love for P&P to Jane Austen. I’ve started saying, “Oh, I love Jane Austen!”, when in fact, I’ve only fully read and loved her most famous book. If it really matters, I’ve partially read/listened to Sense and Sensibility, but I never finished it. (It was for a writing competition and I was very busy at the time—give me a break, guys!). The point is, I’ve never actually read an original, un-modernized, or adapted Austen’s work beside P&P. Reading Emma, I felt I could finally change that statement.
Emma just reaffirmed all my opinions about Austen; it displayed her wit, her complex mind, and her wonderful character-building. I had felt that when reading P&P, but it was more beautiful to see it for the first time in another work that wasn’t as familiar.
Now, for my shame; you guys are never going to forgive me for this. I’ve actually seen the 2020 movie adaptation…I know, I know! You can kill me after I post this review—I give you full permission. But, just hear me out: I had never really heard of Emma before then and I was only told afterward that it was Austen. I felt so extremely dirty, you have no idea. Thankfully, even though I can’t undo what I did, it was long enough ago that I can’t specifically remember what happened and so much of the book was still surprising.
I also had some pretty visuals randomly floating around in my head as I read it, which was helpful for setting the scene and giving a flowery, light academia vibe to the book. I’m definitely not going to say I’m thankful for watching the movie before (heavens, no), but it did have some advantages that I liked. Now, after finishing the book, I can rewatch the movie and feel it all over again. (Anya Taylor-Joy, I heart u!)
Emma just gives me pretty, period-piece vibes, which are one of my favorite genres. Also, Austen makes Emma not as perfect as you would think she is. She’s far from perfection, and we see all the rough edges. She reminds me a bit of Taylor, honestly: always scheming, keeping plans quiet, being careful with love, and having a strategy for everything—just overall blonde goddesses give me Taylor vibes!
Austen, as well as just any antiquated book or movie that brings me to olden times just hits different. That’s probably the main reason I rated it so high and loved it, but I think also the entire story is beautiful. I love Clueless as well—go watch it!
Genre: period drama (is this a book genre?), romance, fiction
Age: 14+ (this is more about the reading level than maturity or uncouth language)
Rating: 9/10