Emma Paperback - 1998

About this book

From the rear cover

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 prot�g�, 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.

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.