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Emma Paperback - 2004
by Jane Austen; Introduction by Steven Marcus
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About this book
Emma is a novel by Jane Austen, published in 1815. The story follows the life of Emma Woodhouse, a wealthy and beautiful young woman who lives in the English countryside. Emma fancies herself as a matchmaker and sets out to find a suitable husband for her friend Harriet Smith. However, her attempts to play cupid lead to several misadventures, including a love triangle involving her own romantic interests. As the story unfolds, Emma learns important lessons about humility, love, and the consequences of meddling in the lives of others. The novel is a satire of the English upper class and is widely considered a classic of English literature.
Summary
(Book Jacket Status: Jacketed) The most perfect of Jane Austen's perfect novels begins with twenty-one-year-old Emma Woodhouse comfortably dominating the social order in the village of Highbury, convinced that she has both the understanding and the right to manage other people's lives--for their own good, of course. Her well-meant interfering centers on the aloof Jane Fairfax, the dangerously attractive Frank Churchill, the foolish if appealing Harriet Smith, and the ambitious young vicar Mr. Elton--and ends with her complacency shattered, her mind awakened to some of life's more intractable dilemmas, and her happiness assured.Jane Austen's comic imagination was so deft and beautifully fluent that she could use it to probe the deepest human ironies while setting before us a dazzling gallery of characters--some pretentious or ridiculous, some admirable and moving, all utterly true.From the Hardcover edition.
Reader reviews for Emma
Review summary
Readers were split on Emma. Many praised Austen’s sharp social satire, vivid village atmosphere, and nuanced character work, noting a satisfying—if gradual—softening of a flawed heroine; Mr. Knightley drew particular affection, and the audiobook won kudos. Just as many complained about the novel’s length, slow pacing, and repetitive, dialogue-heavy scenes—especially Miss Bates’s speeches—and found it less tightly written than Pride and Prejudice. Several preferred modern adaptations like Clueless, while others reported growing enjoyment in the second half.
Readers say this book is:
wittycharacter-drivenlong-windedslow-pacedcharmingdivisiveimmersivesatiricalentertainingrepetitiveWrite a review for this book
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From the publisher
First edition identification
Emma was first published in 1816 in three volumes. It was Austen’s fourth published novel, and the last to be published during her lifetime. Emma's first edition was published by John Murray. The cover consists of leather spines and a marbled paper pattern front. The title page stated that the work was ‘By the Author of “Pride & Prejudice” &c. &c.’, and it also included a dedication to the Prince Regent.
Details
- Title Emma
- Author Jane Austen; Introduction by Steven Marcus
- Binding Paperback
- Edition [ Edition: Repri
- Pages 451
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Barnes & Noble Classics, New York
- Publication date December 25, 2004
- Illustrated Yes
- ISBN 9781593081522 / 1593081529
- Weight 0.99 lbs (0.45 kg)
- Dimensions 8 x 5.19 x 1.36 in (20.32 x 13.18 x 3.45 cm)
- Reading level 990
- Category Literature - Classics / Criticism
- Library of Congress Catalogue Number 2004102194
- Dewey Decimal Code FIC
