Enjoyable classic

I am so glad that I finally understand the joy of reading Austen. When I was younger (and oh so foolish) I tried to read some Austen, but it was so stuffy and pompous that I could not get into it. Thankfully I had my eyes (er, ears?) opened up when hearing the audio version of Pride & Prejudice. She was writing with tongue firmly in cheek!, I now comprehended. The pomposity was part of the joke, the appeal in laughing at the characters, not in agreeing with them. What a revelation.

Emma is an enjoyable read, but it is not up to the same elegance and perfection as the ultimate classic Austens, Pride & Prejudice and Sense & Sensibility. However, you will still enjoy the foolish pride and insensibility of the title character, cringe as she puts her foot wrong, and smile at the inevitable conclusions.

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