Emma: Introduction by Marilyn Butler

by Jane Austen

Marilyn Butler (Introduction)

An Everyman’s Library edition of Jane Austen’s revolutionary and inspiring novel, which is once again a major motion picture.

Twenty-one-year-old Emma Woodhouse is 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.

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.

• ISBN10: 067940581X
• ISBN13: 9780679405818
• Publish Date: 26 November 1991 (first published 1 December 1815)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Everyman's Library
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 552
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780679405818

Reviews

[Berls]

This reread only took me almost 2 months! But I enjoyed it and am reminded why I love Jane Austen.

[MurderByDeath]

Well, Ms. Austen completely succeeds in her efforts to create a heroine that you both like and want to strangle at the same time (if indeed that was her design).  Given the complete mess she makes playing with those around her, Emma hardly deserves to have anything go well for herself, yet I was cheering for her just the same.   I found the book to be a bit long, and the dialog many times so tiresome I actually yelled at the speakers to "shut up!" (listening to audio edition)  but the narration was outstanding, and for anyone looking for a good audio version of the book, I can recommend this one without reservation.   Needless to say, this will remain at the bottom of my Jane Austen rankings and Pride and Prejudice will remain firmly at the top.

[clairelm]

Although I preferred Emma to Northanger Abbey, I can't actually say I like the book. As a character, I find Emma to be difficult to empathise with and her father even worse. It may be just me but I find it hard to get on with books where I don't like the main character.
As a piece of classic fiction, it's fine but as I story I just haven't enjoyed it.

[Eve1972]

Enjoyed this one!