Do all Jane Austen fans dislike Emma?
I came across a fun blog today that said that Jane Austen fans don’t like Emma because she’s so whiny, etc.:
- Jane Austen Fans… (girlygirl.typepad.com)
I thought this, and the comments below it, were funny.
Emma ch 12 : Mr Knightley has taken the little girl out of Emma’s arms, and Emma felt they were friends again. ( Photo credit: Wikipedia)
However, I read Emma at the ripe old age of 13 or 14, and I completely liked her. I identified with her. I was grossed out a bit about Mr. Knightley being the love interest because he was SO OLD. I have since grown to appreciate that decrepit man of 37. Especially when he is portrayed by Jeremy Northam. I also like Mark Strong and wish he played more heroes than villains.
I like the Gwyneth Paltrow version, the Kate Beckinsale version, and the recent Romola Garai version. I like Emma because she is flawed — and reminds me of myself. I am sometimes clueless. I say stupid things and blunder around socially. And I don’t have the excuse of youth and inexperience.
I love the idea that an intelligent man in a cravat can fall in love with an imperfect girl.
Jeremy Northam as George Knightley in the 1996 American film adaptation of Emma (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I am not a big fan of Emma myself, but I must admitt I don’t like Gwyneth Paltrow that much and that might be the main reason. Kate Beckinsale and Romola Garai made Emma more likeable for me….and with Knightley I would share a carriage every time
Yes Knightley. The perfect man-next-door.
Well, I am not sure if it would be fun to live with him under one roof but from afar he seems great *lol*
And I think all actors who played him till now were good choices
Yes.
As long as he has a sense of humor, his slight grumpiness is endearing.
I always melt away when he lectures Emma about her attitude during the picnic *sigh*
Emma was actually one of the last Austen books I read. I decided I needed to read all that i had missed a few years ago. I love Emma! But maybe it has something to do with Clueless being one of my all-time favorite movies. Besides, aren’t ALL Austen protagonists at least a little whiny?
I agree that a little whining is realistic and makes the heroines sympathetic. But we all have different levels of when some whining becomes too much whining (might depend on the day).
[...] My friend Emma (beverlyfarr.wordpress.com) [...]
I love Emma! Probably my second favorite after P&P. I like how she says stupid stuff all the time. I can relate. Would like to see the bad guy from Sherlock Holmes playing Mr. K.