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04 April 2011

Emma by Jane Austen

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!
Emma (Penguin Classics)
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