It was P. D. James, in 'Talking About Detective Fiction', who argued that Austen's 'Emma', which James loved, was actually a mystery novel. I just read James a few months ago, hence why I remember.
Yay! Added to my increasingly elaborate and overwhelming reading calendar. Seriously. There's too much good reading stuff going on and I want it all!
I love Emma. I always say it's my favorite JA. Although Sense & Sensibility miiiiiight be my current favorite? Ugh. I love them all. Except Mansfield Park. 🎭
Agree, Kathleen. Mansfield Park has always irked me. But I am determined to read it again and try to figure out what I’m missing someday…(definitely not on my list of “annual Jane reads”)
Right? All that business about the play. And the wanting to marry your too-close-cousin who is like a brother and who never looked at you that way until the hot tomato he's been pining for hits him over the head with her unsuitability. Blergh. 😜
I am so excited! I read all six novels every year. (Reading Mansfield Park now, still hate Fanny Price.) my favorite is Persuasion, but Northanger Abbey is a close second - such fun!
Funny, I just had a post mentioning this aspect of Emma. Mystery on the first read, dramatic irony on subsequent ones, right? I can’t remember who said that either, but I think it was mentioned in the intro of one of the critical editions. And I think one critic was complaining about the mystery aspect, because creating a mystery is a cheap trick that’s beneath Jane Austen. (Ha!)
That's a funny complaint, because she sort of does it in each book (except perhaps Mansfield Park). In each case, there are hidden motivations and back-stories that we don't learn until later. And I think you've got it right about the effect on the reader: dramatic irony, but also an appreciation of the myriad ways that Austen plants the seeds.
I'm playing catchup here. I learned that I can't read Emma in short bursts, so I had to restart , and I have to read much more slowly than usual. I'm even going back to my old Russian novel habit of keeping short notes on who is who.
I don't much like Emma - she is too much like the girls that I didn't like in high school. But I can't really dislike her either, and although it feels like a slow slow train wreck of relationships, I can't look away.
Of course, Austin's writing is compelling as well. The description of the school for girls is priceless.
It was P. D. James, in 'Talking About Detective Fiction', who argued that Austen's 'Emma', which James loved, was actually a mystery novel. I just read James a few months ago, hence why I remember.
Yes--thank you!
Yay! I am actually going on a week-long retreat in NC to discuss Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice soon! This is providential. ❤️
Fantastic! Hope you will also share some P&P insights.
Yay! Added to my increasingly elaborate and overwhelming reading calendar. Seriously. There's too much good reading stuff going on and I want it all!
I love Emma. I always say it's my favorite JA. Although Sense & Sensibility miiiiiight be my current favorite? Ugh. I love them all. Except Mansfield Park. 🎭
Happy you'll be joining along!
Agree, Kathleen. Mansfield Park has always irked me. But I am determined to read it again and try to figure out what I’m missing someday…(definitely not on my list of “annual Jane reads”)
Right? All that business about the play. And the wanting to marry your too-close-cousin who is like a brother and who never looked at you that way until the hot tomato he's been pining for hits him over the head with her unsuitability. Blergh. 😜
I kind of love Mansfield Park, but it is an acquired taste--a very strange book and even somewhat creepy.
It IS creepy. I can’t really put my finger on why it’s creepy. Well, the whole slave labor thing….
There are a lot of bad parents in Austen, but these people take the cake!
I found P&P to be an amazing work which I didn’t have the least interest in for decades. I’ve made a start on Emma.
I am so excited! I read all six novels every year. (Reading Mansfield Park now, still hate Fanny Price.) my favorite is Persuasion, but Northanger Abbey is a close second - such fun!
Persuasion is magnificent, and certainly will be featured in a future reading challenge.
Funny, I just had a post mentioning this aspect of Emma. Mystery on the first read, dramatic irony on subsequent ones, right? I can’t remember who said that either, but I think it was mentioned in the intro of one of the critical editions. And I think one critic was complaining about the mystery aspect, because creating a mystery is a cheap trick that’s beneath Jane Austen. (Ha!)
That's a funny complaint, because she sort of does it in each book (except perhaps Mansfield Park). In each case, there are hidden motivations and back-stories that we don't learn until later. And I think you've got it right about the effect on the reader: dramatic irony, but also an appreciation of the myriad ways that Austen plants the seeds.
I thought so too! The books is in a box somewhere, but I’m pretty sure it was this earlier Norton edition: https://www.ebay.com/itm/114157000702
I'm playing catchup here. I learned that I can't read Emma in short bursts, so I had to restart , and I have to read much more slowly than usual. I'm even going back to my old Russian novel habit of keeping short notes on who is who.
I don't much like Emma - she is too much like the girls that I didn't like in high school. But I can't really dislike her either, and although it feels like a slow slow train wreck of relationships, I can't look away.
Of course, Austin's writing is compelling as well. The description of the school for girls is priceless.
This sounds great - can't wait! 🎉💮