Someone please explain to me why "Emma" is supposed to be so great? - Page 2

[Verity]

Bridget Jones's Diary is an updated version of something Shakespeare wrote? :

When my kids have to read Shakespeare in school, I buy the play (with explanations of the antiquated language) and read it. I guess they haven't had to read the one on which BJD is based.

[stik]

Bridget Jones Diary is an updated version of Pride and Prejudice. The sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is an updated version of Austen's Persuasion.

[St. Margaret]

Originally Posted by TEAK's Mom

I once wrote a paper about carriage rides in Emma.

Of course I'm the same girl who wrote a lengthy paper about Conrad's depiction of women in Heart of Darkness. (If I remember correctly, they appear in something like one paragraph.)

Good for you! I loved getting papers like that when I taught this book. Although I won't argue with people who say they don't get/like HOD. It took me a few readings to fall in love.

[Verity]

Originally Posted by stik

Bridget Jones Diary is an updated version of Pride and Prejudice. The sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason is an updated version of Austen's Persuasion.

Aha. I've never read either of those, or seen the movie/miniseries versions, so it's no wonder that the stories didn't seem familiar to me.

BJD is still one of my all-time favorite movies. I'll forget that it's an updated version of an Austen novel. ;-)

[minkajane]

Proof I'm not the only one!

[St. Margaret]

Originally Posted by minkajane

Proof I'm not the only one!

See, I never thought that people think Emma is the best novel ever. If you go in thinking that, then yes, you're going to be disappointed! I still think it's good fun, though, with some nice moving social and romantic bits, too.

I do no disagree with a LOT of the other ones on that list, though. It's pretty true about LOTR, and Passage to Indai we still make fun of in our household-- "Esmiss Esmore!" 100 years of solitude was confusing in all the generations but I liked it okay as a teen. But most of what they said was accurate about those books. And who knew The Great Gatsby was out of print for so long!? I love that kind of info

[Verity]

I've had the misfortune of reading or trying to read a few of the books on that list.

I adored Howard's End, so I had high hopes for A Passage to India. I got through it, but barely. I can't believe they were written by the same author.

I tried to read A Confederacy of Dunces, but it turned my stomach. I almost get physically ill just looking at the cover. ;-)

[Hatteras Gal]

If you want to watch a fun version of Emma, watch Clueless.

I read Emma a long time ago but probably really didn't get it. Then I tried again a few years ago and just couldn't do it. I did read it last year when Masterpiece did Jane Austen and I really really liked it. It's not as easy to jump into as S&S or P&P.

Originally Posted by Tradd

That's why Elinor is confused towards the end of S&S when the family's man servant says he's seen Lucy with "Mr. Bertram." The Mr. Bertram turns out to be Robert Bertram, Edmund's *younger* brother.

You mean Mr. Ferrars, right?