Struggling with Emma

[jazza97]

As a boy, it is such a dull and boring book to read-in my opinion at least.

What's the best way to get into a book you dislike other than obviously forcing yourself?

[Potato gem :-D]

I had the same issue with The French Lieutenant's Woman and I'd say approaching it with a positive attitude is paramount. Our school isn't doing Emma this year but I have read it and there's a wonderful level of complexity that gives you plenty to work with (as does The French Lieutenant's Woman). You can't force yourself to like a text, but if you keep an open mind you can learn to appreciate it--- who knows, it may end up growing on you as you begin your analysis. If you're having trouble actually getting through the text get your hands on an audio tape, this was a big help for many girls with FLW as well. Good luck. :-)

[nkultra42]

Our school is also doing Emma, and I've had the same problem as you. Maybe watching the film adaptation or reading over some notes about  on the internet, like I know sparknotes have a series where someone blogs their thoughts on various books, which you might find entertaining, although I'm not sure whether anyone has done that with Emma.
Also, I try to read it during the day, because it puts me to sleep if I read it at night 

[charmanderp]

I recommend reading another Austen text, and perhaps watching the film, to familiarise yourself with the literary style and hopefully start to enjoy it. I'm a guy and I chose Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park for my comparative Literature SAC in Year 10 so you can't use that as an excuse! :p

If you're really struggling, talk to EvangelionZeta on these forums. Not only is he a literary demigod, he studied Emma as one of his exam texts in Year 12.

[t35t]

Our teacher is a massive feminist, so we've been encouraged to read Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma as a study text!  if you really are struggling, I suggest you watch the BBC adaptation of Emma- the most accurate one out there. Otherwise, listen to the audio book(you can buy it from itunes) to at least get a grasp of the story- the voices that the reader makes will also keep you entertained. I personally loved reading Emma because I had an appreciation for the class system of Georgian England- after having read Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, you realize that Emma is... how do i put this? Powerful? She's unequaled in Highbury and it's immensely entertaining reading about someone who is for once, not the underdog

[Hutchoo]

*Waits for EZ*

[EvangelionZeta]

Watch Clueless.  And then read Emma, and imagine everything Emma says in Cher's voice.  It's fabulous.

(and yes, if you want to chat about the text, feel free to contact me directly :p)

[charmanderp]

Watch Clueless.  And then read Emma, and imagine everything Emma says in Cher's voice.  It's fabulous.

LOL.

[EvangelionZeta]

^^Seriously though, Clueless is an excellent contemporary adaptation of Emma.  It's actually very intelligent and well-thought out, and does as much to adapt the text as to comment upon some values of intertextuality.