Emma

By Anna Austen Leigh

Emma is the unhappy mistress of a young politician. But when his uncle arrives, she finds the older man surprisingly kind - and even more surprisingly attractive. But social disapproval, relatives' matrimonial projects, and even blackmail threaten their love - will they manage to preserve the fragile happiness they have found?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Austen Leigh
• Release date: May 14, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458043658

Anna Austen Leigh

Anna Austen Leigh quit the stock market while she was ahead to forge a new life as a full time writer. She now writes erotic adventure and romance, and spends her spare time managing her investments, rather than the other way around.

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Emma

by Anna Austen Leigh

Published by Anna Austen Leigh at Smashwords

Text Copyright © 2011 Anna Austen Leigh

All Rights Reserved

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, events, and locations are fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons or events, living or dead, are entirely coincidental.

This file is licensed for private individual entertainment only. The book contained herein constitutes a copyrighted work and may not be reproduced, stored in or introduced into an information retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means (electrical, mechanical, photographic, audio recording, or otherwise) for any reason (excepting the uses permitted to the licensee by copyright law under terms of fair use) without the specific written permission of the author.

Also by Anna Austen Leigh

The Diligence de Lyon – an escapade published by Liquid Silver

Pilgrim for Love – published by Logical Lust

Emma – published by Smashwords

and shortly to be published

Horace and Hal – on Smashwords

Emma

by Anna Austen Leigh

Chapter 1

Romney wondered why he was bothering with her. She was a little on the chubby side for an artist's model (she'll run to far in a few years, he thought), and her heart didn't seem to be in the work. She could sit still all right, that wasn't the problem, but somehow she seemed ungainly, her arms hanging limply, as if her mind was disengaged. She was pretty enough, but there was something lacking. Yet his friend Greville had recommended her.

All right. Enough of that pose.

She looked up, expressionless. What do you want me to do now?

He shrugged. He had already tried her with a posy of flowers, with a lapdog, with a basket of apples, the tried and tested portrait accessories. He looked again at his sketches; pretty but lifeless. He was just about to tell her to go when he remembered his idea of the night before, for a series of paintings of tragic queens; Medea, Berenice, Phaedra, Cleopatra... her face didn't fit, but at least he could sketch the pose, if she could hold it, and he'd use his imagination for the rest.

He looked up at her again. Could you stand, facing me – that's right; left foot forward, your shoulders slightly turned to the right. That's good. Now raise your right hand, as if you have a knife in it.

She frowned. A knife?

Yes, a knife. A dagger. The point downwards, and you're holding the hilt.

Why?

His models never asked why. They just did what he told them. It wasn't her place to ask... then on the other hand, it was refreshing to be asked a question. Sometimes whole mornings passed almost in silence, as he painted, and he missed the sound of another voice.

You are Medea, Queen of Colchis. Your husband has left you for another woman. You poisoned her; now you are about to stab your two sons to death, as a revenge on your husband.

She raised her hand a little further, and he saw that her knuckles were white, as if she really was clutching a knife tightly. And had he imagined it, or had her face tightened too; were her eyes shining now, as they hadn't before?

Quickly, he grabbed his pencil, and sketched in the lines of her pose. It wasn't bad, he thought, smudging a dark shadow into the draperies. He hadn't intended to, but he decided now that he'd sketch the face in too; her eyes seemed wider, her gaze more intent than it had been.

Why did he leave me?

He jerked his head up. Why did who leave you?

My husband.

My dear lady, I had no idea you were even married. And he hadn't; no more had Greville, who kept her as his mistress. This could get embarrassing.

You said my husband had left me for another woman.

Ah. I see. Hm. I don't know. But he has.

She nodded, her eyes distant for a month. Perhaps I don't know either. He's gone for no good reason. So... I understand, I need revenge. If he'd left for a reason, perhaps I wouldn't.

Indeed. Well now, can you see if you could change the pose, so I can draw it from the side. If you could imagine the children on a sacrificial altar – I'll get a table, so – and if you could raise the knife, ready to bring it down and stab them...

He broke off, amazed by the change in her. Suddenly, she had come alive. Her eyes sparkled, her head was turned just a little to one side, ferocity had entered the very way she held her body. He was glad he hadn't given her a knife; even without a weapon in her hand she looked dangerous, a little mad. With a start he realised he was still staring, hadn't even started drawing; and realised, too, that this time he wanted charcoal, which would let him sketch more quickly.

Four different poses later, he decided it was time to stop. His fingers were getting tense; he could feel the damp weather making his joints crackle, and he was cold. And so was she, he thought guiltily, wearing a simple muslin dress in this unheated studio.

I'm sorry. Get your cloak.

Did I do something wrong?

No. Absolutely not. But you must be cold.

Oh, she said with a start, as if she hadn't noticed it until he mentioned it. I'm sorry.

He spread the sketches out. Now he could look at them all, he found the earlier ones even more disappointing; they were flat, flabby. But the Medea sketches were full of life; electric with the anger and energy of a demon.

Are they any good? She had wrapped herself loosely in her blue cloak, and was looking at them over his shoulder.

Oh, these are rubbish, he said, sweeping the first set off the table. They're going in the fire.

And then, looking at her downcast expression, he wished he hadn't said that. He reached out for her shoulder, pulling her towards the table.

Look at these though. These are sublime.

She looked at them dubiously. Her face had gone soft again, expressionless.

Truly. They're marvellous. I'll start painting this one in oils tomorrow. The expression, the drama, the power! This one will make my fortune.

And for once, he really believed it. Though to be fair, he'd really believed it last time, too. And the time before that. And he'd still not made his fortune, though he did make a good living; good enough to afford this studio, in a tall, narrow brick house just outside the most fashionable part of London.

She smiled. Medea, she said, the name soft in her mouth, and her eyes were suddenly dark with affection.

You're a born actress, you know.

I worked at the Drury Lane theatre for a while.

He hadn't known; that wasn't something Greville had mentioned. What happened?

Mrs Linley found me wearing her cloth of gold. I couldn't resist it. I used to imagine myself as Titania; I used to daydream how the fairies would finish the housework for me. And every night, when I saw the actors on stage, I lived through their stories. It was very hard, then, to get up before dawn to make the fire and bring the water, and scrub down the floorboards in the pit. She lowered her eyes, looking glumly at the floor. He felt sorry for her; a natural actress, but her only job in the theatre had clearly been as a maid.

I'll show you how Medea progresses next week.

I'm coming next week?

Certainly. Perhaps we'll try you in armour, as an Amazon, or in a lion skin as a Maenad. Would you like that?

Again he saw how her face suddenly transformed as she smiled at him. Oh, yes.

But the gentle chime of the clock on the mantelpiece reminded him their time was at an end. He swept the sketches together into a pile, knocking the edges to true them up and keep them tidy. And with regret he heard steps on the staircase.

It was Greville, of course, come to fetch her. He cut a dignified figure in his simple, elegant coat, his hair swept back from his high forehead and tied in a queue with a plain black ribbon, hat in hand. He'd been Romney's friend for a few years now, and they'd often talked about art, the theatre, about scientific discoveries and antiquities; but Greville was never exactly intimate. In every conversation they had, Romney was aware of Greville's reserve; even in the claret-bibbing heart of London clubland, where three bottles a night was common and Richard Brinsley Sheridan was said to put down four at a sitting, Romney had never seen Greville drunk.

Was she satisfactory?

Typical of Greville to be so terse, Romney thought. More than satisfactory; she'll make a fine model.

Greville grunted, non-committal. You'll want her again, then?

Yes; as soon as possible. I've begun well, but I'll need more poses. Two hours is hardly enough.

At the same rate?

At the same rate. At least till we know how well the paintings will sell.

Greville shook Romney's hand, settled his hat back on his head, and turned to Emma.

Come, he said, already turning to go. It's time we went home.

***

Home was a little cottage, just outside London. It wasn't grand, but nor was it squalid; it struck the mean between the functionally tedious and the elegantly useless. In short, it was pretty without affectation, and spacious enough for the two of them and a maidservant. There were roses in the front garden, and there was lavender by the white-painted door.

They lived a quiet life here. Greville went into Westminster a great deal – he wanted a safe borough at the next election, and was paying court to one of the Whig grandees. Every Wednesday, he went into the City, to look after business; and several evenings a week he spent at his club. But Emma rarely went out, even with Greville. The trip to Romney's studio had been her first outing in a week.

On Sundays they went to church, a handsome pair in their plain, good clothes. Greville could easily afford more fashionable dress for her, but he preferred her to wear a plain grey dress. The fabric was good, and soft, and the colour was nearer the soft grey of a dove's breast feathers than the dullness of a maid's dress. Still, she would have liked to wear something bright; but Greville said white was inappropriate for a fallen woman, however respectable she now was, and he was anxious that brighter colours might attract too much attention. He never liked to see another man look at her with interest.

Greville wanted her to be a good little housewife; she spent her time sewing, in the garden when it was fine, or indoors. Greville loved to watch her sewing; she was working on an embroidered tablecloth now, in ivory silk thread on white linen, with a design of pinks and gillyflowers, but all in white and cream.

She'd started reading the books in Greville's library, too. Not the great legal tomes on the bottom shelves, with names like Blackstone, Coke, Selden, Whitelocke - huge tomes that looked heavy and severe - but the little palm-sized books of verse bound in supple morocco. She couldn't read well, and she still moved her lips gently as she read, but she loved the easy rhythm of the lines, the charming sentiments of the pastorals. Greville hadn't encouraged her to read, but he had helped her with her writing; every night that he was at home, they made up the accounts for the housekeeping. Her handwriting had been round and thick, like a boy's; he had helped her acquire a prettier hand, holding the pen more lightly, rounding off her letters with flourishes and curlicues.

How was your work with Romney?

He seemed a little disappointed at first.

What did he ask you to do?

He just wanted me to sit and smile. It was rather tedious.

No doubt. Did you smile?

Yes, but he didn't seem quite happy with it. Then he asked me to pretend to be some Greek lady, with a knife.

Greville frowned. A Greek lady?

A lady from the tragedy, he said. I pretended to be her. He told me all about her, Greville; how she was angry, how her husband had gone with another woman, how she killed her children...

Hardly a suitable story for a young lady yourself, Greville said severely.

Emma flinched, and lowered her eyes.

He didn't disarrange your clothing for this Greek tragedy, did he?

No! She looked at him angrily. I would never let him do that. I'm yours, Greville, you know I am. I love you, and no one else.

Despite your past wickedness?

Despite my past wickedness. She knew now he was going to start that catechism; how she had been a sinful woman, and how he had saved her, and she should be grateful. She gave the answers almost by rote; it was meaningless to her. It meant something to him, though, and because she loved him, she told him what he wanted to hear.

No one else? he asked, at the end of it all. She smiled at him. He always needed to hear this; he would never believe it.

Never. Just you, Greville.

He smiled then, at last. His stern face, so used to frowning, seemed to come alive when he smiled; he

Reviews for Emma

[boundtogetherforgood · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Emma Woodhouse is 21. She lives with her father and from the age of 12 was raised by him and a live-in governess, Miss Taylor who is now the newly married Mrs. Weston. Emma set things rolling for that romance to take hold; at least she believes she did.Emma has a passion for arranging couples. The book follows her as she sets out to arrange a fitting match for Miss Harriet Smith. Readers either cringe or enjoy the ride as they watch Emma woefully mess up Miss Smith's life for a time.Through all of this Emma avers that she has no intention of every marrying. Of course that stand is well challenged by the end of the book.I very much enjoyed reading this Jane Austen novel. The only other book of hers that I have read is Pride and Prejudice which I loved. P&P was a masterpiece. I feel that Emma was a good book but not as witty or as culturally astute as P&P. I eagerly look forward to reading more of Miss Austen's works.Oh, and I can't step away without saying the Mr. Woodhouse, described at the beginning of the book as a "valetudinarian:a person who is excessively concerned about his or her poor health or ailments" really got on my nerves!

[ainjel-3 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Honestly I found this to be one of the harder Austen novels to read. The plot wasn't as captivating as some of her other works, nor were the characters as interesting. Mr. Knightly and Emma are, of course, exceedingly interesting, but everyone else I found rather blah and dull which might have been the point. Emma is an absolute scoundrel and I was constantly reminded of the Austen quote where she tells her sister I believe that Emma is a protagonist only she will like. There are a lot of interesting choices and techniques used in this novel that require some more pondering and close reading, but I will say this: Emma is not the best Austen novel, but it is probably one of the best literary pieces she produced.

All in all, I would recommend this book to the dedicated Austen fans, but I probably wouldn't recommend it as a starter into Jane Austen literature.

[mhanover10 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Maybe I shouldn't have listened to this as an audio book because I found it kind of boring. I'm looking forward to listening to more of her books.

[doingdewey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although Emma isn’t going to displace Sense & Sensibility and Pride & Prejudice as my favorite Austen, it was definitely a fun read. The introduction mentions that Emma was Austen’s favorite character she created and I can see why. She’s sometimes naive or snobby, but she’s also cheerful, happy, and concerned with the happiness of others. I thought her father and sister were pretty funny, unique characters as well. The way relationships develop between characters is generally slow, subtle, and believable. The end is a bit abrupt and everything wraps up a bit too neatly, but I was in the mood for a light read and actually liked that the resolution wasn’t drawn out too much. Overall, this was a very fun, light read.

This review first published at Doing Dewey.

[kristykay22 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An extremely enjoyable and often hilarious slice of Georgian life featuring the spoiled, snotty, but also weirdly lovable Emma who is very convinced she understands how everyone feels even when she is repeatedly proven wrong (even about herself). Austen has the ability to draw characters that are simultaneously pointed caricatures and lovingly individualistic portraits. It is no wonder she published her novels anonymously during her lifetime, because I'm sure her friends, family, and acquaintances could find themselves in these pages. Not sure how I made it this long without reading this one, but I'm glad I finally did.

[odinblindeye · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not the biggest Jane Austin fan, as I find her subject matter not as engaging as some would have me believe. It's a well written book, and her humor is definitely there, but I just don't get the same feeling from Emma as I did from say, Pride and Prejudice. It was alright, but still, I needed to force myself to finish this one off.

[underthebookpile · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Emma is a classic novel that still delights after all this time. It follows the spoilt but well-intentioned titular character as she develops schemes to fix her friends up with suitable husbands. For the most part, they all backfire, leaving some of her acquaintances worse off than they were before. Despite this, you can't help but still like Emma. All of the characters, including her, are very well developed and have humorous quirks and interactions throughout the story. Folks who like the movie "Clueless" might like this book as it is the very closely related basis for the film.

[jessiqa_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Emma is from the leading family in Highbury, living alone with her widowed father at Hartfield. She loves to play matchmaker, feeling her skills quite superior after her friend's marriage went exactly as she hoped. Now Emma has set her sights on Harriet, a young woman of unknown parentage whom Emma wishes to match with the local vicar. The book is a comedy of misunderstandings and secrets. People often don't talk about how they really feel, leaving things up for interpretation, and often misinterpretation.I really enjoyed Emma. The prose is very simple, making it an easy read. I like that Emma herself is a flawed character who comes to recognize her flaws and works to correct them. Not everyone in the story is as self-aware as she is, and that's part of the fun. Austen created a cast of characters here whom you could easily recognize in real life. (How many of us know a talkative Miss Bates?) It's a romantic comedy where the matchmaker lead has no desire for marriage herself, which is perhaps unusual in this genre (and also serves to make the story more interesting). I wholeheartedly recommend reading Emma. It's a fun, low-stakes comedy, with lovable characters and a happy ending.

[amaliagavea · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I must begin by stating that I may be utterly biased here. Emma is the novel that introduced me to the treasure that are Jane Austen's masterpieces. I read it when I was fourteen, and fell in love with it right there and then. People often tend to mention that Emma Woodhouse is the least likeable heroine Jane Austen has created. It may be so, since she is rather headstrong, spoiled and with a strong tendency to plan other people's lives, without giving a second thought to all possible consequences, secluded in the protection of Hartfield, her house, her bubble. It may be so but we should not forget that she has no siblings, and an onlychild, more often than not, believes that the world probably revolves around him/her. And I am an onlychild, so don't judge me... :)I recently revisited Emma's world for a group discussion, and I once again found myself utterly charmed by Jane Austen's creation. In this novel, she presents all the vices of the aristocracy, all the possible ways the high and mighty use to look down on those who are less fortunate, and she does so with style and elegance, and her unique satire. Yes, Emma is a difficult character, but I think we must regard her the way we do with a younger sister or a younger cousin who has yet to experience the difficulties of the ''real'' world ''out there''. Emma is a charming character, for all her faults. Frankly, I find her a bit more realistic than the other iconic heroines, the ever - perfect Elizabeth, the always - sensible and cautious Eleanor, or the ever - waiting, passive Anne. Emma makes many mistakes and regrets, but her heart is kind. After all, don't we become a little stupid when we fall in love? (view spoiler)The rest of the characters are all iconic as well. Mr .Knightley is sensible, gentle, gallant, the true voice of reason. I highly prefer him compared to Mr. Darcy. Frank Churchill joins Sense and Sensibility's John Willoughby as the two most unsympathetic young suitors in Jane Austen's works, Harriet is well...Harriet, and Miss Taylor is a lady that I believe all of us would want as a close friend and adviser.Emma is a wonderful journey, full of satire, lively, realistic characters and the beautiful descriptions of a tiny English town. It is small wonder that there have been so many adaptations in all media, the big screen, TV and in theatre. The best adaptation, in my opinion, is the 2009 BBC TV series, with Romola Garai as Emma and Jonny Lee Miller as a dreamy Mr. Knightley.

[borrows0n0wants · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Emma is a fun read. I picked this book up because I had heard that it was the inspiration for the movie Clueless. Once you begin reading it, you see the parallels immediately. A smart, sassy novel.

[john257hopper · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This started off quite well, and the constant misunderstandings by Emma Woodhouse of the romantic intentions of others quite comical. However, I found too many of the characters difficult to distinguish in my mind (my favourite was probably Emma's hapless, hypochondriac father), and they lacked the colourful nature of the more eclectic cast of characters in Mansfield Park. So it was a bit of a struggle in places.

[leslie398 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Nadia May does a marvelous narration for this classic. While it is not my favorite Austen, it is still a wonderful book.

[bookomaniac-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Andermaal is het hoofdthema: misleiding, niets is wat het lijkt. Andermaal happy end. De hoofdfiguur Emma is eigenlijk niet echt sympathiek, eerder meelijwekkend.Wel weer mooi societyportret en vooral enorme psychologische diepgang (in dit opzicht is Austen zelfs een voorloper van Dostojevski). Vlotte dialogen afgewisseld met beschrijving en introspectie. Vormelijk toch wel minder dan P&P, met soms langdradige stukken.

[rosalita_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emma Woodhouse is one of Jane Austen's most infuriating heroines. She is rich, spoiled, and as prone to meddling in the lives of others as she is to neglecting her own self-improvement. She should be insufferable, and the fact that she is not is a credit to Austen's clear-eyed ability to create three-dimensional characters, put them into situations where they do not shine, and then redeem them in the end.Really, Emma's problem is that there is no one who is both her age and her social status in the small English country town where she lives with her widowed father, who is a study in self-centered spoiling himself. Even as she is doing things that make the reader want to slap her, Austen gives us insight into Emma's thoughts that show she is not wholly unaware of where her faults lie and her sincere desire to overcome them, even if she isn't quite sure how to accomplish that.Many years ago, I read a biography of Rex Stout, who created the ineffable private detectives Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin. When biographer John McAleer asked Rex in the final days of his life what Wolfe was doing at that moment, Rex said, "He's re-reading Emma ." Indeed, Stout had that famous misogynist detective declare in more than one book that Austen was his favorite writer, and Emma the perfect novel. I wouldn't call it perfect, and I'm not sure it's even my favorite Austen, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[valnewhope · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

It didn't stand up to rereading. Unlikeable characters leading vapid lives.

[aeolvey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Love it, love it, love it!

[boredness-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I think this was the first Jane Austen book that I have read. I had no idea what the story was going to be about before reading but I really enjoyed it. It was interesting to read about a match maker who has been setting up her friends. Emma reminded me of someone I could have known in my real life. She's not perfect although she thinks we has a great knack for setting people up. I thought it was interesting how she ended up getting married herself. I didn't really see her as a good match for her future husband. It seems like that part of the story wasn't planned out before the book started to be written. But all in all, I did enjoy this book and would love to read more by this author.

[rainpebble_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Emma by Jane Austen; (4 1/2*)Austen's prediction that her Emma was not a person many people would like certainly came to fruition. In point of fact Emma is one of the least likable characters in British literature. She comes across as a snob. She is a rich and manipulative character whom I found to be rather despicable throughout the novel. But for this reader, Emma came to be a character I loved to hate, so to speak. The novel is quite funny and the characterizations I found to be well rounded, not flat, and I could easily identify with most all of them. There were the irritating Bates', the hypochondriac Father, the dashing, the elegant neighbor & brother in law, the accomplished Jane Fairfax of whom Emma is fiercely jealous, and the fawning lower class friend Emma wants to 'match up' with someone of a higher class.The comic exchanges between characters, the complexity of the plot and the witty conversations/bickerings between the characters makes reading Emma a great deal of fun indeed. The reader has no need to like or agree with Emma in order to enjoy this great piece of literature. If not for Jane Austen's brilliant use of the English language, which pulls the reader right in and holds one captive for the duration, I could have never gotten through this book with so much joy and entertainment.But it is exactly the author's control of language which makes the novel the masterpiece it is and why we still enjoy it some 200 years later. Emma is filled with complexity and interesting, funny interludes. The dialogue between the characters is quite brilliant. Emma is highly enjoyable to read and to re-read. I highly recommend this novel.

[katherinegregg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Emma is a lively young girl who has taken on match making but finds that she's not quite a good at it as she supposes when it backfires on her. The characters are memorable and Jane Austen is expert at social satire and highlighting the customs and manners of the times. The move Clueless is based on this book.

[maxernst11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Andermaal is het hoofdthema: misleiding, niets is wat het lijkt. Andermaal happy end. De hoofdfiguur Emma is eigenlijk niet echt sympathiek, eerder meelijwekkend.Wel weer mooi societyportret en vooral enorme psychologische diepgang (in dit opzicht is Austen zelfs een voorloper van Dostojevski). Vlotte dialogen afgewisseld met beschrijving en introspectie. Vormelijk toch wel minder dan P&P, met soms langdradige stukken.

[marthajeanne · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Jane Austen threw all the most irritating people she could imagine (I hope she didn't actually know them!) together into a disfunctional community. I'll stick to the books of hers that I really enjoy from now on. This one doesn't do it for me.

[krystlelow · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can say that I'm very glad to have finished this book. Before reading it, I've heard praises of it being 'Jane's best work' and so I guess I should be forgiven if I began reading it with extremely high hopes, being a fan of Jane's work.
However, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed. Sure, I sort of had a liking to Mr Knightley, (as probably was to be expected), but I felt that the storyline dragged on a bit. Though I must say I prefer Emma to Wuthering Heights due to the surprises towards the end.
On a more personal note, (*RANT ALERT*) I think I've finally found why I like classics so much. Other than the obvious of the men being gentlemen, I think it's the fact that courtship was so simple back then. When you fall in love with someone, you pursued them. If affections were returned, the next step would be to plan marriage; and cheating was an abomination. In a world and time where cheating (not just physically, but mentally and emotionally) is so common that it's considered 'normal' today, I find solace in classics. Or maybe I'm just a bitter bitch because I get cheated on so often for being too nice and too understanding. Ah well.

[magadri-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Emma is a fun read. I picked this book up because I had heard that it was the inspiration for the movie Clueless. Once you begin reading it, you see the parallels immediately. A smart, sassy novel.

[mrsrj-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The fourth, longest and last of Jane Austen's books to appear in print during her lifetime, Emma is considered a classic romantic comedy and was first published in 1816. Written almost 200 year ago, it's inevitable that the dialogue may feel a bit stilted at times. However, this adds dimension and depth to the story which focuses on 19th century social hierarchies and the interaction between various social classes. Miss Emma Woodhouse is a shining example of a 19th century socialite. Beautiful, clever and wealthy, she fancies herself a master-matchmaker and sets in motion a laundry list of schemes to pair off the Highbury residents. Convinced a make-over would elevate her new friend Harriet's social standing and thus her marriage potential, Emma, fueled by her feeling of superiority, plotted and planned, all to no avail. Failing to realize the extent of her shortcomings and the consequences of such hurtful behavior, Emma was finally confronted by Mr. Knightley. Afterwards, embarrassed and ashamed, she reevaluated her life and began to make amends, in hopes of becoming a better person. Emma is a beautifully written, classic, laced with wit and sarcasm. Through a vastly differing cast of characters, each delightfully inspiring in his or her own way, Austen vividly captured the heart of a community. Everything is neatly tied up at the conclusion, as things literally come full circle...ending much the way it began.A sublte, yet very significant messege is hidden just below the surface--the beginning and the ending are just definitive points in the journey, in between is where we write our definition of happiness. There's a depth and sincere honesty written into the very fabric of this story- that must be recognized to fully appreciate the artistic genius of Jane Austen. Like a vintage automobile, Emma is a slow, leisurely read, perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

[liciasings · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A lovely read. I found some parts (especially about mothers and motherhood) particularly spot-on and powerful. A bit heart-breaking, and altogether a beautiful story. The writing is not great literature, but is a much higher standard than most chick lit. You can really feel that it has been written by a mother with a lot of love in her heart, a good deal of experience understanding people, and with a lot to say. I am glad that I read it.

[lclc2u · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I felt the author's point was to move slowly through the life of a family with their daughter, a budding tennis player. There is a tension which hovers as opposed to gripping your throat leaving you gasping for air. However; the tension remains, it is very present or is it? You are left questioning to the very end.

[justagirlwithabook · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

My gosh, this one took much too long to read. Here are the basics: Emma lives with her dad and loves to play matchmaker for everyone living within her general vicinity. The first handful of chapters were as slow as molasses and a million characters were introduced. (There were lots of notes taken.) And then the chaos began: Emma setting up this person with that person, then changing her mind and encouraging a different match, then being surprised about people's feelings for each other because, though she's clever about some things, she's also entirely daft about others. A little more than halfway through I decided this story could've been told in a significantly shorter form and I just wanted it all to be over. I have a great nostalgic love for Pride & Prejudice and Jane Austen, but man, this one was brutal. I've not seen any adaptations yet but I've already decided I'll enjoy them immensely more than the book.

[wellreadcatlady · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I tried to read Jane Austen (Pride & Prejudice) before and just could not get into it. I wanted to give her another try (as I was gifted a beautiful set of her books) and decided on Emma since it was on a few feminist book list. Emma was great! I loved the characters, could get a good grasp of them all by their dialogue. Although it is during a time I know very little about the characters were still relatable. Emma especially was a good character because she does have faults and beliefs of her own and does not compromise them. I enjoyed the plot, it had a mystery feel trying to find out who was in love with who. The last few chapters were amazing and I was very satisfied with the ending. My only annoyance with the book is rich people whining about rich people problems, it can get annoying how judgmental thee characters are and the classism, but it was a different time, keeping that in mind it makes sense. Can definitely see why Emma is such a classic and a good example of early feminism.

[sjgirl-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I appreciated this more than when I first read it at a younger age, however, it’s still not quite as dear to me as some of Jane Austen’s other books. Bored and lonely after the departure of her friend/governess to married life, Emma takes a new, less fortunate friend under her wing and enters into a mostly disastrous hobby of matchmaking which leads to ever so many miscues, including some in Emma’s own love life. Emma might not be the most seamless introduction to reading classics if you’re accustomed to books that jet along at a fast clip, the pace here can feel somewhat plodding, I know for me, there were moments when I thought it could stand to pick up the pace a touch, yet at the same time, slow is really the only way to tell this story well, or maybe more accurately, slow is the only way to feel this story. You wouldn’t truly feel the tedium of Emma’s worrywart dad or Miss Bates’s inability to edit her side of a conversation nor would you reach quite the same fever pitch of frustration with Emma if this rolled along at a more modern pace, this plot and these characters probably wouldn’t have the same richness, the same depth if they happened in a hurry.Emma herself, can be a bit challenging to love, she interferes with Harriet’s life, she steamrolls with whatever notion pops into her head rather than fully considering a situation, and she has a habit of seeing what she wants and ignoring all evidence to the contrary. The first time I read this book, Emma aggravated me more than a little, thankfully though years later, I guess I have a bit more patience, compassion, and probably stronger reader comprehension, too, plus, having come to the realization that flaws = interesting characters, I found Emma much easier to tolerate this go round, her oblivious actions more forgivable, even if she almost always jumped to the wrong conclusion, her heart seemed to be in the right place. The romance wasn’t quite as compelling as some of Austen’s other titles, perhaps because Emma’s more focused on other’s people’s love lives, though hers does have its moments, however, for the most part, I feel like the main appeal of this novel is in the distinctive and intricate personalities of each character in the ensemble, not the most easily likable group but certainly well-crafted, there’s a timelessness to them, these aren’t just people of their era, they possess certain traits (however annoying) that are every bit as identifiable today.

[dinadansfriend · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Jane austen has a fine hand, and this is her best attempt at a novel of domestic life. Her heroine is intelligent good-looking and rich...with so few obstacles to her own life, emma woodhouse must find interest in managing the lives of others especially Harriett Smith, a young lady of unknown parentage and few prospects in Emma's circle of suitors. But, Emma thinks she would be best settled with one of Emma's cast-offs. The story is really about how a bored teenager becomes a woman more deeply aware of how much damage her meddling can cause.