Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3785 in Books
• Published on: 1994-01-13
• Format: Unabridged
• Binding: Paperback
• 368 pages

Synopsis
Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, "Emma" is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

Customer Reviews

An Exquisite Novel
"Emma" by Jane Austen is easily one of the greatest novels ever written. Simple yet subtley multi-layered, it tells the story of Emma Woodhouse, the daughter of a rich landowner who finds herself living alone with him when her Governess marries and moves out of the family home of Hartfield. As a result, most of the day she is confined to staying in the house and looking after her Father and as there is precious little to do in the evening, finds herself desperate for amusement.

It is revealed very early on in the novel that Emma likes to match people up together and see how things turn out. She is a self proclaimed imaginist, although her playful games sometimes get out of hand, causing problems and hurting those involved. Soon after Miss Taylor - her former Governess - leaves, Emma meets Harriet Smith, a girl of unknown parentage and decides to take the girl under her wing, with hopes of improving her class and chances of finding a good husband. It is in these moments with Harriet that Emma's character is at her most unappealing, often seeming snobbish and rude and shocked that Harriet would be interested in marrying a farmer of all people. However, due to Austen's all seeing narrative, the reader discovers that Emma does not know as much as she thinks she does and that many events are taking place which she is completely unaware of.

Perhaps the first novel which requires a re-read in order to fully appreciate Austen's intricate plot, "Emma" is a wonderful novel. It is filled with Austen's formidable wit and humour but is also a brilliant romance which will enchant its reader. Austen herself felt that no-one but her could like the character of Emma, which may or may not be true, however it is easy to empathise with her, especially on a second reading.

One of my favourite novels, "Emma" is filled with memorable characters, wonderful descriptions of setting, excellent dialogue and a brilliant central heroine. A truly timeless novel with a story which will engross and enchant the reader, "Emma" is a book never to be forgotten.

Em is a Gem !!??
This novel - after a little adjustment to the style of writing if not accustomed to Austen - makes a marvellous read ! Emma is feisty, warm, witty and mischievous - but not without fault. One finds oneself caught up in the characterisation of Emma and quickly realise that the themes of pride, perception and prejudice ( Austen's speciality ) run throughout.

The reader really is only meant to see events from Emma's point of view - she is the heroine afterall. Her personality carries this novel - she is amusing, clever and inspiring - she has a good nature, is not too egotistical and is willing to learn from her mistakes.

My fave Jane Austen novel - with bouncy, flowing dialogue, an interesting main character and clever subversive story that does not reveal too much all at once, but allows the reader to indulge in the interraction of characters.

what a wit
I am not a huge fan of Austen, and i particularly dont like Pride and Prejudice, purely because of the way all loose ends are completely tied up, but i have to admit I enjoyed Emma a million times more than i expected to.
I found the novel amusing and the more i read, the funnnier it seemed to become, and not just because of Emma's wit, but as much because of Austens determination for Emma to be seen as a flawed, spoilt child. It is the way Austen writes Emma, to make sure that we see how rediculous some of her plans are, and get exhasperated at her for not seeing what is happening around her, that makes the book so enjoyable.
The ending is predictable, but as Emma takes her time realising where she is meant to be and who she is meant to be with (all with silly consequences of course) i still found myself turning the pages and smiling along.