(picture taken from Goodreads)
I actually listened to one of the Librivox editions of Emma, but I've read the book so many times, I figure it doesn't matter which copy I picture here. In fact, Emma is supposed to have blonde hair, and I could only find a couple of covers where she did--perhaps because so many of them use classic paintings not originally intended for this book? Anyway, one of them is pictured below. It is the cover from the Spanish version of Marvel's graphic novel interpretation. It's a little cartoony, but I love the serene colors. The absolute picture of summertime!
(picture taken from Goodreads)
Re-read Conclusion: Emma used to be one of my least favorite Austen books. I just couldn't relate to the main character at all! She seems incredibly self-centered and takes everything in her life for granted, at times even abusing those without her blessings in life and laughing about it. However, it's really grown on me since I've gotten older. While Emma is a pretty self-centered character, she's not purposely selfish. She cares a lot about her family and friends, and she takes very good care of her father. She visits some of the poor and sick families in the area and tries to do her duty to those that she feels deserve it. And while her jealousy of Jane Fairfax and a desire to satisfy her friends by attempting a relationship with Frank Churchill get in the way, Emma notices when she makes mistakes and tries to correct them. She really matures and changes her behavior as she learns better, which to me says a lot more for her character than just how she started. And Mr. Knightley! "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more. But you know what I am. You hear nothing but truth from me." (sigh) What a great line and a great guy! Anyway, I just love this book. My favorite movie versions are the two from 1996--one with Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong, the other with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam--both fantastic; I can't choose!
2015 is the 200-year anniversary of the publication date for Emma, so this is a great time to read it! This is my eighth 2015 Audiobook Challenge read--I'm almost to my goal!
2015 is the 200-year anniversary of the publication date for Emma, so this is a great time to read it! This is my eighth 2015 Audiobook Challenge read--I'm almost to my goal!
Our experiences of this book are very similar! The first time I read this book I really liked Knightley but found Emma Woodhouse absolutely insufferable! But then I watched the Gwyneth Paltrow/Jeremy Northam film not long afterwards and loved it. Then I went back to the book about a year or two later and ended up loving that as well. I still found Emma Woodhouse really annoying at times but much less so than I did on my first read. My favourite adaptation of this book now is the 2009 BBC miniseries although I think I'll always have a huge soft spot for the Paltrow/Northam film for helping me to appreciate the story better :)
ReplyDeleteWell done on almost completing your audiobook goal! Personally I don't tend to listen to audiobooks unless they're being read by actors that I like. Richard Armitage has done a few audiobooks that I've thoroughly enjoyed. Can you recommend any other good ones?
I haven't seen the 2009 miniseries! I plan to soon. I love Paltrow, and Northam is the most attractive Knightley I've seen, but the other 1996 version is the one I saw first. I love the balance between Beckinsale and Strong in that one, and I think he plays a really good Knightley.
DeleteAnd thanks! I mostly listen to audiobooks in my car, driving to and from work, so it takes me about 2-4 weeks to finish each one. I've been listening to some on the computer or my phone lately, though, when I'm playing a game or cooking. Adds a little variety.
I really need to listen to Richard Armitage narrate a book! That has to be awesome! I've been listening to The Hobbit (Tolkien) narrated by Rob Inglis, which I would highly recommend. And if you're looking for a slightly quirky romance, The Rosie Project (Simsion) narrated by Dan O'Grady is fun. Those are probably the best I've been listening to so far this year, taking into account the book itself as well as the narrator.
I always loved Emma (the book) from the first time I read the book. I think mainly because it's so humorous, I had to laugh out loud many times while reading it. And Mr Knightley is so amazing, although I really started to appreciate him when I saw the 2009 BBC adaptation. But Emma is indeed a difficult character to like, which I guess only shows the more what a great author Jane Austen was to think up such a character.
ReplyDeleteApparently everyone loves the 2009 version! I'll have to watch it soon.
DeleteOh yes, do watch it! I'm quite sure you'll love it. The quality is superb (BBC is always the best), the actors really embody their characters and the story has time to develop because of the longer running time.
DeleteI haven't ever read Emma. I would like to some day! A good friend had never read any Austen and decided to start with Emma and ended up loving it. She told me I really, really needed to read it. So hopefully some day! :)
ReplyDeleteI will say that I'm with Birdie, I learned to truly appreciate the story once I saw the 2009 version. Jonny Lee Miller's Mr. Knightley and his emotions during the "If I loved you less..." scene did it for me! :) I know several that don't like that version though, so it's a good thing we have so many to choose form! :)
I like Emma better than Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey, but less than the other three. Not that it means much to say that, because Austen never wrote anything bad. :) Still haven't had time to watch it--maybe if I piece it out? I'll let you guys know when I do!
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