Emma certainly is Austen's most 'catty' book. She wrote it last (I think?) and had written that she expected everyone to hate Emma because she has very real flaws. Emma IS very rude and bitchy and doesn't ever really think about how things affect people because her wealth and privilege protect her. But I find that it makes it more exciting to read gossip than to read about virtuous people. I always prefer adaptations of Emma to adaptations of Mansfield Park, which was the most boring book for me to read of Austen's work. UGH, FANNY PRICE, DIAF.