Emma
by Jane Austen
Synopsis:
When her former governess finds happiness as the bride of a local widower, the brilliant and beautiful Emma Woodhouse—one of Jane Austen’s immortal creations—flatters herself that she alone has secured the marriage and that she possesses a special talent for bringing lovers together. The young heiress next busies herself with finding a suitable husband for her friend and protegé, Harriet Smith, setting off an entertaining sequence of comic mishaps and misunderstanding in this sparkling comedy of English-village romance. Beneath its considerable wit, the novel is also the story of a young woman’s progress toward self-understanding. Emma abounds in the droll character sketches at which Jane Austen excelled. In addition to the well-intentional heroine and her hypochondriacal father, the village of Highbury during the Regency period is populated by an amusing circle of friends and family—kindhearted but tedious Miss Bates, a chatterbox spinster; ambitious Mr. Elton, a social-climbing parson; Frank Churchill, an enigmatic Romeo; Mr. Knightley, Emma’s brother-in-law and the voice of her better nature; and a cluster of other finely drawn, unforgettable personalities. The author’s skill at depicting the follies of human nature in a manner both realistic and affectionate elevates this tale of provincial matchmaking to the heights of scintillating satire. A classic of English literature that has delighted readers since its 1816 publication, the novel is now available in this high-quality, inexpensive edition sure to charm a new generation.
My Review:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎
5+ stars. This book has converted me into an Austenite, and I cannot wait to read more of her writings. The genius of this book. The writer in me revels and I could just talk about it forever. The realistic characters, that make you grow to love them (SPOILER! except the Eltons *glares* I forgot that Mr. Elton had been nice by the end!! END OF SPOILER! and poor little Harriet, who I pitied but never really liked.); the amazing dialog; the daily life scenes; the pithy remarks on human nature; the humour and wit; the complexity and mystery of the plot... ahhh!!! ^_^ I guessed a few things but for the most part it baffled, hooked, and delighted me. My favourite character is undoubtedly Mr. Knightley. Gallant, gentlemanly, kind, honest, caring enough to speak out concerning Emma's faults... <3 And very humorous in a dry way. ;) But all the characters make their way into your heart—even those that irked me at first, like Mr. Woodhouse, Miss Bates, and Frank Churchill. (I love how Frank teases Jane—it shows how boys have always been boys! ;) ) The romance is among the purest and sweetest I have very read. <3 Jane's story is an excellent lesson—I loved the moral of it. Can't say too much because of spoilers, but... My only disclaimer is that Emma exclaims “Good God!” several times and that one clergyman becomes drunk. I could talk over this gorgeous book forever, so of this review is brief, it is because I am being merciful. ;)
A Favourite Quote: “‘There is one thing, Emma, which a man can always do, if he chuses, and that is, his duty; not by manoeuvring and finessing, but by vigour and resolution.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.”
A Favourite Humourous Quote: “After this, he made some progress without any pause. ***** *******'s confession of having behaved shamefully was the first thing to call for more than a word in passing.
“‘I perfectly agree with you, sir,’— was then his remark. ‘You did behave very shamefully. You never wrote a truer line.’” *edited for spoilers XD*
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