"Emma" by Jane Austen

It's only been a month since I finished my last book on "The List" but mostly because I picked up three at once. It's been a long time since I first intended to read Emma by Jane Austen and I'm glad I finally did. Have you ever seen the movie? It is my favorite of all the Austen movie adaptations I have ever seen.

I'll have to agree with my mom and sisters about the book, though. While it is wonderful, as all Austen novels are, it does drag on and on and on. Don't all Austen novels do that, too, though? As much as I love her as an author, my sister pointed out that during her time, authors were often paid by the word, which explains why so many English novels from that period are extremely wordy and drawn out. More time is spent on dialogue than anything else - lovely, charming, delightful dialogue, yes - which makes it difficult to keep your eyes open at times.

Regardless of the drawn-out-ness of this book, I would still recommend it. And then I will even more quickly recommend that you go watch the movie. Gwenyth Paltrow makes such a perfect Emma and all the most boring parts are left out, leaving just the sheer joy and pleasure of the novel behind.

No matter how many books I read, there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Victorian Novels. There is something so refreshing about the language and expressions of the characters in true English literature. I will always love it!