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Reader discussion: Emma

Public reader discussion about Emma in the WeRead Catalog by Jane Austen.

What silly book reviews have you found?

By HiddenMoose

Sorry if the title comes off kinda harsh. I get when someone can lay out why they liked or didn’t like a book in a clear way—even if I don’t agree, you can at least tell they actually read it and you understand their point. But then you stumble on some reviews where you’re left wondering if the person even made it through the book. Like, I could point to “reviews” of *Lolita*. You know the nasty ones where a little girl gets insulted and basically treated like she’s some dirty thing for seducing an adult. And sure, the book isn’t some subtle unreliable-narrator puzzle—it’s just presented like a straight story about a “poor man” “suffering” because of a little girl. (Yeah, sarcasm.) And when I say “stupid review,” I don’t mean ones that just don’t match my opinion.

[Discussion] Emma by Jane Austen- Book one, Chapter 11 - Book two, Chapter 5

By Superuser

Hey everyone, welcome back for our second Emma discussion by Jane Austen. Today we’re on Book 1, Chapter 11 through Book 2, Chapter 5. Next week we’ll do Book 2, Chapters 6–15. The schedule and the marginal notes are linked here, and if you want a quick chapter summary, LitCharts has one too. Discussion questions should be in the comments below, but totally add your own as well.

Why on earth is 'Emma' by Jane Austen so popular?

By LetterCarabeen

Hey everyone—no offense to anyone who loves this book, I just genuinely want to understand why it seems so entertaining to so many people. This is my first Jane Austen novel, and I found it honestly super boring and kind of unsettling. It feels like nothing really happens, and it just drags on with dull conversations about everyday stuff (like that whole page on porridge consistency… why??). The characters were also really hard for me to get through. I get that Emma is probably meant to be unlikable, but it wasn’t just her—almost everyone annoyed me, and especially Emma’s dad. His constant anxious, overprotective behavior was way too much for me. I was thinking, wow, my own problems are “first world,” apparently. Also, it felt pretty predictable. So I’m confused—am I missing something? Where’s the famous Austen humor everyone talks about? Is it satire, and if yes, what exactly is it making fun of—the boring lifestyle, all the petty talk, or something else? I’d love to hear what you all think. :)

Emma ch. 1-9...so who talks first?

By brownTower22

Who goes first? You go first? Oops, sorry—Star Wars stuff just happens to me. Anyway, I’m brand new to the book club and I honestly have no clue how to jump in for the first scheduled discussion 😅 I read *Emma* when I was a teen and I didn’t really get into it like I did with Austen’s other books. Now I’m realizing why, and it’s a little uncomfortable because a lot of it feels like it mirrors my own bad habits (but maybe that’s also just because Austen is too good at what she’s doing). I’m also catching more of the little stuff I missed before, like the not-so-subtle shade thrown at Mr. Martin, who seems like a genuinely decent guy. I think in general I used to be more “root for the heroine, hope for the best,” but with *Emma* I’m fully in the camp of “please let her get a swift consequence and go sit in her room” lol. That said, I am loving the book. I can’t wait for her comeuppance—though I’ll admit some people would call it her “life lesson,” “character improvement,” and all that nicer phrasing. I also keep thinking about how similar I am to Emma in the ways that matter: I don’t have much self-discipline for really mastering a skill, so I’m basically a jack-of-all-trades, and I’ve definitely gotten too involved in friends’ paths to “enlightenment” and “romance” before. Still, I’m really impressed by how Austen writes and how well she understands people. Nobody feels like a cartoon in this one—they’re just real, complicated people you can like and dislike at the same time, with all the messy flaws and good qualities mixed together. Okay, that’s my whole deal for now… how do I even stop posting on this thing? *edit: sorry—new here, and I went back to add paragraph breaks. still a noob.*

[Discussion] (Evergreen) Emma by Jane Austen- Discussion 1: Book 1- Opening – Chapter 10

By Superuser

I’m still kind of hoping we get to see Emma actually fall in love (and maybe not totally sure it’ll be returned right away) — I feel like that would do her some good. And honestly, I’m with Emma on the idea that being “charming” isn’t enough to make her want to marry; she needs to think more than one person is appealing—at least one other person, anyway. Also, welcome to Hartfield House, Highbury! Quick check though: Emma’s kind of meant to be a comedy of manners, right? And I keep seeing stuff popping up that Mr. Woodhouse really doesn’t approve of, like marriage, going too far on walks, inconveniencing the driver, all the matchmaking, late hours, huge dinners, guests eating there… and more. Might’ve missed a couple, but yeah, he’s definitely got opinions. One more note before I get lost: there are TWO Mr. Knightley’s—Isabella’s husband and his older brother—so I’ll have to keep that straight. We’re meeting again on March 20 for Book 1, Chapter 11 through Book 2, Chapter 5. And if people are into it, we might do a movie discussion on April 17 a week after the last one ends.

The Lamplighters by Emma Stonex

By chapter-lilac

Just finished this one and I’m honestly left feeling like it could’ve gone a lot further. It’s tied to a real incident from 1900 where three lighthouse keepers disappeared, and everyone assumed they’d been swept out to sea, but it was never really confirmed. I liked that Emma didn’t just stop at the mystery though—she digs into what was going on with the men while they were working and also what their lives were like back home. The book jumps between the men in 1972 and their wives in 1992, which keeps things interesting. Plus there are parts where the wives actually talk straight to the author, and that was a first for me, so I thought it was pretty unique and clever. My main issue was the middle. The beginning felt kind of mystical, with a good intro to everyone, but then the middle dragged a bit and didn’t feel totally sure where it was headed. Later on it definitely picks up and you get more depth with the characters, which helped. I’d rate it 6.5/10. I kind of wish it leaned more into the mystery/supernatural side instead of staying so grounded in real-life stuff, because the whole thing has so much potential. Maybe a future version could push the mystery part even deeper.

Mind of my Mind by Octavia Butler (Patternist Series) opinions on Emma

By verseWatches28

Just finished the Mind of My Mind series, and I’m happy about how Doro ended, but I’m really sad about Emma’s ending. I kind of didn’t like her as much in this one, which surprised me. I read Wild Seed first, and I remember feeling so much for her, but now I’m just left confused. If she was really trying to get away from Doro, why would she end up killing herself? I can’t tell what the point was, and I’d love to hear other takes on what people think was going on.

How do you distinguish literary fiction and genre fiction?

By MarginYarn51

For me, literary fiction is way harder to explain liking it. I enjoy it, but after I finish a book I’m always stuck with that feeling like, “ugh, that was so good, but I can’t quite say why.” I end up reading essays and going back through things a bunch just to figure out what I actually liked, lol.

"On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong review and interview by Emma Brockes | Guardian Books

By teashore

I’m just wondering how a Vietnamese refugee ended up writing what a lot of people are calling the great American novel. Not sure why that question even has to be asked though—The Sympathizer came out in 2015 under similar circumstances, and it was genuinely incredible.

Emma Watson has recently formed her own book club on goodreads.

By NebulaBucket2003

Emma’s apparently started her own feminist book club on Goodreads. It looks like a “one book a month” kind of thing, and then they go over it during the last week before the next pick. Not long ago she posted that they’ve already picked their first book. From what the club page says, it’s tied to her work with UN Women—she’s trying to read as much about equality as she can, and it sounds like she wanted a place to share what she’s learning and get people’s thoughts. The plan is one book a month, discussion at the end of the month, and she’ll drop questions/quotes to start things off. She also says she’ll try to get the author or someone else notable to join when it’s possible. Everyone’s welcome. If this is something you’d actually be into, I’d say it might be worth checking out and joining. Here’s the link: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/179584-our-shared-shelf Also lol, the little “P.S.” is… a choice.

Emma by Jane Austen

By amber_winter

It feels like people either can’t get enough of Jane Austen or they’ve never really cared, and I’ve always been in the second group. Finishing this one kind of makes me want to split that into two new groups: people who’ll reread her forever, and people who should probably give it a shot. I wasn’t expecting that. I’m working my way through novels I’ve never tried before because I want to build a little “Austen” library for my daughters. They’re only two and a half and five months right now, so Emma is going to have to wait a bit. Still, I’m already excited to talk to them about Austen and her characters someday—though that conversation is, uh, a long time coming. I’m hoping I’m not writing this review too late in case they find it in the future. Emma is Austen’s only book where the main character is basically the title—published in 1815. It’s about Emma Woodhouse, who’s rich, smart, and pretty confident, but also the kind of person who meddles in other people’s relationships without really having a clue what’s going on in her own head. The plot is surprisingly solid and not just some silly farce, but what really stands out is Emma herself. She thinks of herself as a total expert on love, while somehow missing her own feelings completely. And the more the story goes on, the more you see her finally start paying attention to what she actually wants. She’s not all sweet and easy, either—she can be harsh and stubborn—but that’s exactly why she feels real. Austen’s great at showing the whole social world—manners, class, the usual rules—and it makes her feel like a pretty sharp snapshot of Regency life. But she’s not only doing that. She writes people in a way that feels detailed and believable. If you’re in the early stages of love (or even just still figuring things out), Emma feels like it could be a warning and a guide at the same time—like how you can understand everyone else but still be completely clueless about yourself. Somehow it also feels like it knows things about the heart no matter how old you are or how “experienced” you think you’ve become. There’s a line someone wrote about how the story is basically bent to match Emma’s own misunderstandings, and that makes the whole book click for me. With that in mind, Emma really does read like a lesson for anyone who’s ever been love-struck and didn’t see themselves clearly. This was the first Austen novel I’ve ever read, and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who’s been on the fence or never cared much about Jane Austen or period fiction. Now I just wish I was closer to the end of my reading list so I could start over and do it again.

Room novel or movie?

By thunderpages587124

Has anyone read Emma Donoghue’s Room and also seen the movie version? I’m trying to figure out what to do first—should I watch it or read the book? I know I’ll end up doing both, I just don’t want to ruin my first real experience with the story, if that makes sense. Which one is better overall? And for this one specifically, which format works better? Also, how is the book compared to the film?

Meaning within context Emma by Jane Austen

By shelf-bookmark

It sounds like Austen means they probably wouldn’t even have a reason to run into each other, and if they did, they might not even have a chance to talk. So “with any necessity” is like: there’d be no need for them to be together. And “or even any power of speech” is a little more dramatic, but basically means they might not be in any situation where they could say anything to each other, or maybe the awkwardness would make conversation impossible. So yeah, basically: a whole year could go by and they’d never have to meet, and even if they did, they might not really speak.

Summer Book Club Pick

By BookishReads

I’m up to choose the book for our book club and I’m totally blanking. We’ve got around 15 women and we actually talk about the book (usually). A few of the ones everyone seemed to like were Wild Dark Shore (Charlotte McConaghy), West with Giraffes (Lynda Rutledge), and The Stolen Queen (Fiona Davis). For July I’m trying to pick something that’s not super long and could be a decent beach read. If anyone has ideas, I’d really appreciate it—thanks!

Greatest contemporary US short story writers

By stanza-bright73

I basically combed through all the Best American Short Stories editions from the last ten years, plus every O. Henry Award, Sunday Times Short Story Award, and PEN/Malamud winner starting in 2010. That’s over 300 different writers total. I gave each person a point every time their name showed up, and then I ended up with this top list. 7 points: Elizabeth McCracken 6 points: George Saunders 5 points: Emma Cline, Jim Shepard, Lauren Groff 4 points: Charles Baxter, Karen Russell, Steven Millhauser And yeah, both Saunders and Groff are super well-known, but neither of them actually took the top spot. Elizabeth McCracken came out on top. Her 2014 collection Thunderstruck & Other Stories is her highest-rated thing on Goodreads, if you’re trying to jump into her short fiction. What are your favorite stories from any of these authors? Or are you annoyed someone got left off?

The best book you haven't heard of...yet: The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion

By mistStrange2000

My wife grabbed this because it was tagged as similar to stuff like Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, and she kept pushing me to read it. I honestly didn’t expect it to be this good, but it totally holds up. There’s a really clever, snappy vibe to it—witty, a little bit magical, and the dialogue moves fast. The characters feel pretty real too, and there’s humor all the way through, with moments that even tug at you. It’s told through the main character, Emma Lion’s, journal. She’s basically a Victorian upper-middle-class socialite who’s suddenly dealing with her own fall from grace, and the whole thing gets worse because her useless cousin has been blowing her inheritance. I liked the character depth and how the story keeps throwing in unexpected twists, and the plot is consistently funny. Midway through it starts to feel a little more like separate episodes than one smooth story, but that’s really my only complaint. If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear what you thought.

[Schedule] Evergreen | Emma by Jane Austen

By Reed_Shadow

Classic lit and romance people—our next Evergreen read is kicking off soon! I’ll be leading along with Emma, and a few others: u/lazylittlelady, u/thebowedbookshelf, u/nopantstime, and u/bluebelle236. Are you in? Bingo squares: Evergreen, Gutenberg, Female Author, Romance Schedule - March 13 – Start – Book 1, Chapter 10 - March 20 – Book 1, Chapter 11 – Book 2, Chapter 5 - March 27 – Book 2, Chapter 6 – Chapter 15 - April 3 – Book 2, Chapter 16 – Book 3, Chapter 8 - April 10 – Book 3, Chapter 9 – end - April 17 – Book vs Movie discussion EDIT: I know some editions use different chapter numbers, so there’s an alternate schedule too (thanks u/Ser_Erdrick!). - March 13 – Start – Chapter 10 - March 20 – Chapter 11 – Chapter 23 - March 27 – Chapter 24 – Chapter 33 - April 3 – Chapter 34 – Chapter 44 - April 10 – Chapter 45 – end

Best book I've read in a while: "A Fatal Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - Murder in Ancient Rome", Emma Souton. Amazing, just amazing.

By focus_basket

Dr. Souton really knows Rome’s history, politics, customs, and daily life. I picked up so much about tribunes, tribunals, and that whole Republican senator drama—like them getting mad enough to tear chairs apart and end up killing tribunes just to make sure they could keep their land and not lose it to land reform. I usually don’t buy books since I mostly get them from the library, but this one’s definitely getting purchased. I can already tell I’ll want to reread it again and again.

The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon is too confusing & hard to follow

By tender-badger

I really wanted to get into this book because the idea sounded cool, but I just can’t seem to keep up. The switching POVs make it worse, and even after reading it, I feel like none of it really sticks. Also it kinda throws you into the world without enough background—like with the relics, archives, and the ENGINEs. I don’t know if I’m missing something or if it’s just not explained clearly. Has anyone else felt the same way? If you liked it, I’d love to know what I’m not understanding.

[Marginalia] Emma by Jane Austen

By Beaver_Epilogue

Welcome to the marginalia for our next Evergreen pick: *Emma* by Jane Austen! If you want to double-check the dates for the discussions, the Schedule link is there. Just so you know, marginalia is basically the spot where you can toss in whatever you want—thoughts, little notes, a quote you liked, or anything else you want to add. Kind of like writing in the margins of your own copy. You can drop comments anytime you feel like it, no need to wait for the weekly discussion thread. Any kind of observation is welcome, and I’d really love to hear what everyone thinks. One thing though: please watch out for spoilers. If you mention anything spoilery, wrap it in the >! *spoiler sentence* !< format (remove the spaces). And yeah, even if it’s from other media, still mark spoilers. If you’re not sure whether something counts, better to mark it anyway. Also, it helps if you start by saying roughly where you are in the book (like “early chapter 5” or “end of chapter 2”). Have fun reading, and I’ll see you next week!