One half of the world ...

That is the case with us all, papa. One half of the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other.

Jane Austen, Emma

For example, that is the case with this very book. It is often called too long and boring with a disagreeable "heroine."

To be fair, Jane Austen wrote to someone that she was writing a heroine who no one would like but her. I do like Emma though. And I like her father also. Both are annoying in their habits, but when you've read about them long enough — especially the father — you begin to see how Austen is drawing them out for comic effect.

I've gotten to the point in rereading Emma that when the father begins his series of gentle objections on behalf of the comfort of others, I know I'm going to see comic genius in the way that others wriggle out of his proposals.