I must admit that I had tons of fun reading this book out loud. Yes, out loud. I put on airs and read the lines in my best British accent. Not the entire book; just when I knew I wouldn’t be overheard because, well…adults just aren’t supposed to do silly things like that. My comprehension is just so much better when I read aloud. And Emma is not the easiest to follow. I can read some books with only half of my brain. I can walk around the kitchen preparing a meal and read at the same time, but I could not do this reading Emma. I found myself having to pay the closest attention to every word. I can think of a couple of reasons for this: 1) there are several characters to learn and follow, and 2) the discourse is veiled behind so many layers of propriety.

Another interesting tid-bit about Emma is, though the characters are in and out of love, there isn’t much romance or familiarity between the characters. One character, Mrs. Elton, is not favored by Emma because she speaks with a level of familiarity with the other characters [she calls them by their first names or other name she has made up] that is considered vulgar. In the end, when Emma and Mr. Knightley speak of their affection for one another, the most physical contact they have is Mr. Knightley holding Emma’s hand to his heart. Add to that Emma’s promise to never call him by his first name–she wouldn’t dream of being so disrespectful! The level of restraint exerted by the characters is admirable.

I enjoyed this book very much. Emma’s scheming and repenting had me laughing at several points in the story. When reading old literature, it is good to have a pen and pad nearby. I like to write down unfamiliar words to look up later. Here are some unfamiliar words I wrote down while reading Emma:

coxcomb–vain, empty-headed man; conceited
There would have been either the ostentation of a coxcomb, or the evasions of a mind too weak to defend its own vanities. (p. 134)

outre–passing the bounds of what is usual and considered proper; eccentric; bizarre
I never saw anything so outre! (p. 140)

augur– n 1. a high-ranking priest in ancient Rome who foretold future events and gave advice on the course of public business by interpreting such signs and omens as the flight of birds, or thunder and lightening. 2. A prophet; soothsayer; fortuneteller. v 1. to be a sign or promise of 2. to guess from signs or omens; predict; foretell. If he were to be very alert in engaging Jane Fairfax now it might augur something. (p. 145).

insipid–adj. 1 without any particular flavor; tasteless 2 lacking interest or spirit; dull; uninteresting, colorless, or weak
“I certainly must,” said she. “This sensation of listlessness, weariness, stupidity, this disinclination to sit down and employ myself, this feeling of everything’s being dull and insipid about the house! I must be in love…” (p. 166)

I put Emma (the one with Gwyneth Paltrow) on our Netflix list. It should come this week. I’m anxious to see how faithful the movie is to the book.

How would you say the movie compares to the book?