Austen once wrote to her sister that Emma may be her most unlikable heroine she’s written, but my friend and I agree that may have been by olden day standards. At most she is spoiled and sheltered, but there are worst things rich people could be.

In rereading Emma I have found Frank Churchill much more unlikable. First I must commend Austen’s writing in that she really guides the readers in feeling what they should feel. For example, I was charmed when Emma was charmed by Frank, then thought he was a jerk, then I was won over again by the letter like Emma did. She is a good writer, but we already knew that. So I was charmed again by Frank’s apology until I really thought and realized he’s totally the type of guy who’d flirt even while married.

I mean, he went so far to flirt while hiding his engagement. I know they were keeping it secret, but he didn’t have to be that good at hiding it that even Jane thought he had feelings for Emma. OMG! And she forgives him. Well, women had less options back then so I can understand why, but ugh, I feel like she deserves better.

At least she’s friends with Emma now that everything’s cleared up. For that time period, Emma was such a good friend to other females. Barring those petty jealousies of Jane Fairfax which I think stemmed from insecurity that she’s the more behaved version of what she’s expected to be that holds Knightly’s esteem. But she hyped up Harriet (even though she kinda got her hopes up way too much), was besties with her governess, she values her female friendships.

This was the first time my friend read it, so she thought it was good. Most of it was trying to match the characters/situations to Clueless. It really is a good book to modernize. We also had a side tangent agreeing that Cher and Elle Woods would be besties, and there’d be so much pink.

Other thoughts include Mr. Elton is so true to real life. So many guys like him still exist. Knightly and Emma is kinda weird from this lens because he saw her grow-up and most of their interactions are him lecturing her about her behavior (which granted, needed correction, but not romantic). It was fair for its day, but the movie update made it slightly less weird.

Hopefully, our next book club book we’ll actually finish in less than two months but I make no promises.