The Classics Book Tag

Today I'm talking about classic books in the Classics Book Tag!

--QUESTIONS--
1. An overhyped classic you really didn’t like
2. Favorite time period to read about
3. Favorite fairy-tale
4. The most embarrassed classic you haven’t read yet
5. Top 5 classics you would like to read (soon)
6. Favorite modern book/series based on a classic
7. Favorite movie version/TV series based on a classic
8. Worst classic to movie adaptation
9. Favorite edition(s) you’d like to collect more classics from
10. An under-hyped classic you’d recommend to everyone

--Books & Movies Discussed--

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[getbookish]

The thing for me about Emma is the calling out of her mistakes by those closest to her. She has to sit with it and learn from it. And it's not that that idea and plotline isn't available or isn't better done in other books, but there's something about it with her particular character that it feels rewarding to the reader to see her go through it after watching the setup for so many pages. -Les

[BeckaBella]

Even though “Emma” is not my favorite Austen I still really enjoy it. The reasons for it are that I feel it’s relatable because Emma is a flawed individual and even her privilege and status in society can’t hide that she makes mistakes just like any human being...so it was refreshing that Austen didn’t hide that and decided to show case it. Also, it was nice to see Emma chose to learn from those mistakes and not continue to think she knew best all the time, her experiences humbled her which I enjoyed seeing she didn’t stay an immature individual but grew into becoming a mature women.

[ChaoticBibliophile]

I loved hearing your thoughts! I agree about the mini-series format being generally better suited for bookish adaptations than films. 

Emma is my favorite Jane Austen, and one of my favorite books overall, so I thought I'd share haha. Mansfield Park is the only Austen novel I've yet to read, so I can't comment on how those two compare or why MP is not more popular, but I think part of Emma's enduring popularity is due to the character development being very modern. Since the conflict comes from Emma's flawed but well-meaning character rather than a clash of different characters' personalities, it's more about how she as an individual interacts with the world/community instead of the community itself and there is more of a character arc, which I think resonates with a lot of people nowadays. The clever humor also holds up very well (although that is true of most of Austen's works). If one pays attention (or upon reread) one can see the dissonance between Emma's view of the situations and what is actually going on, and again I think that's very current and well done in the novel (and generally hard to do, even in 3rd person narratives). Now personally, Emma was the first character I related to and loved, and I just really enjoy all of the storylines and characters, I never tire of them. That said, I do want to get to Mansfield Park and I think I'll love it too. So far the only Austen I haven't really liked is Persuasion.

[SheWasOnlyEvie]

Your dislike of Emma, love for Mansfield Park, and acknowledgement of the under appreciated greatness of Anne Bronte is yet another reason why I love watching your videos. ☺️

[SpinstersLibrary]

Great video, this is a fun tag! I really like Emma, but agree that Knightley is overrated. Here's why it's my second favourite Austen: We get an insight into the main character's mind like we do in none of her other novels. We are so directly in Emma's mind, that we, along with her and everyone else gets fooled by Frank Churchill, gets disgusted with Mr and Mrs Elton, get way too invested in the foolish quest to marry off Harriet. It's the most personal of her novels for me. In addition, it features my favourite Austen mean girl, Mrs Elton, and my favourite tragicomic spinster, Miss Bates. But I can also see why people don't enjoy Emma - it is very long-winded, slow paced and features a rather underwhelming romantic interest.
The Importance of Being Earnest is one of my favourite ever classics adaptations too. I think they even included scenes from the fourth act which was cut from the original release of the play. It's such a fun and dynamic adaptation and perfectly cast.
100% agree about Anne Bronte's Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I actually prefer it to Jane Eyre and it's one of my favourite ever classics. It reads so modern and I was astounded when I read it that I hadn't heard much discussion of it before.

[thetbrdiaries]

The Importance of Being Earnest is one of my favourite movies and one of the only plays I have enjoyed the experience of reading too!

[samrjacobson]

Totally agree about Mansfield Park! It’s my favorite Jane Austen, but a lot of people hate it. I don’t understand them! 🤷🏼‍♀️

[HannahsBooks]

Emma is one of my very favorite books—probably partly because I read it when I was thirteen or so and have read it frequently enough since then that I feel my whole growing up years are interleaved in the story. Some other folks here have commented that Emma’s flaws (and her ability to start understanding them and work past them) makes this book feel modern to a lot of readers. And her annoying but wonderfully high-spirited spunkiness is another draw. I am thrilled to hear your feelings about The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I can’t believe I have not read it yet, but it is high on my Victober TBR.

[Addressa]

I agree with you about The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. I read it a few years ago, and it became my favourite book I had read of the Brontë's (up until that point). I look forward to reading Shirley for Victober!

[NuttyGabby]

I loved both Emma and Mansfield Park. Emma is relatable, you love her some times, you hate her at other times. To me, she was that friend that makes my eyes roll because she think she knows it all but that I still care about and want to see succeed.

[lindaharrison]

I’m currently reading Col Comfort Farm and it’s quite clever. I think you’ll like it. Also have you read Master and Margarita? That’s a modern Russian classic and I love that book so much. It’s just so great and has so much in it that I think whatever is in your wheelhouse you’re gonna find in that book. Personally I love the giant walking talking black cat.

[MaryAmongStories]

Anna Karenina is amazing, I hope you enjoy it!

[karenbird]

Totally agree with you about Emma and Mansfield Park.

[danielleptc]

"Cranford" is my favourite comfort read! It and connected short stories were wonderfully adapted into 2 TV series, "Cranford" and "Return to Cranford" — I highly recommend both.

[wonder]

Yes!!! Tenant of Wildfell Hall is awesome <3

[rhiannonh]

The Tenant of Wildfell hall is my favourite Bronte! Thank you for promoting how wonderful it is to others. I’m reading Emma at the moment after watching this years film adaptation, which I really enjoyed. It helped me to understand the humour, especially her hypochondriac dad. If you haven’t already seen it, you might enjoy it!

[Jimbodisfan]

Good morning Olive! Read Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, which was good, but I think the main character was not a very nice person and alternately deserved pity and what she ultimately got. I read it in about a month.

I think the best Russian classic I ever read was The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky. It's a long but great story of three brothers that includes murder, romance and intrigue.

[TalesandtomeswithAmy]

I’m with you on Emma! How does Mansfield Park get dwarfed by that basket of crazy?

[beamann]

I feel the exact same way about Emma. I really liked this video! 💜

[nuriasebazco]

This is why I love your channel. Cheers to your honesty!!!