Emma

by Jane Austen
Emma cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £3.99–£20.00 Hardback • £9.99–£35.00
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Format • £6.64–£18.04
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Technical
  • ID: 1782
  • Added: 2025-10-09
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • Published: 1898-01-01
  • Formats: 225
  • Reviews: 4

Jane Austen's beloved classic, Emma, is a delightful exploration of human nature and social dynamics in the early 19th century. The story revolves around Emma Woodhouse, a clever and wealthy young woman who fancies herself a skilled matchmaker. Her well-intentioned but misguided attempts to orchestrate the love lives of her friends and acquaintances in the small town of Highbury lead to a series of comedic and heartfelt misadventures. /n/nThrough her interactions with a colorful cast of characters, including the charming Mr. Knightley and the enigmatic Jane Fairfax, Emma learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and the consequences of her own pride and prejudice. Austen's sharp wit and keen observations of societal norms make this novel a timeless masterpiece of literary fiction.

Reviews
Rochiza Lani · Rochiza Lani · 2025-11-16
intriguing 3.50

Emma is a complex character who is both brilliant and flawed, making her neither likable nor entirely unlikable. Her journey of self-discovery is both engaging and frustrating.

Rochiza Lani dives into the character of Emma, highlighting her intelligence and wealth, but also her meddlesome and spoiled nature. They appreciate the complexity of Emma's character, even if she's not always likable. The review emphasizes the frustration and engagement that comes with watching Emma navigate her own flaws and grow from them. Lani finds the novel a rich tapestry of human behavior, making it a compelling read despite its challenging protagonist.

Quick quotes

    Austen's Emma is beautiful, rich, smart but also meddlesome, deluded, and spoiled.

    She is not a likable character and you won't really root for her when you ...

    Emma's journey of self-discovery is both engaging and frustrating.

Goodreads · 2025-10-24
spectacular 4.00

The love complications and humor in Emma are excellent, with spectacular writing that keeps readers engaged. The plot, while not as tightly crafted as some of Austen's other works, is still highly enjoyable.

Goodreads reviewers highlight the love complications and humor in Emma as standout features, praising the novel's spectacular writing. They find the characters and their interactions to be highly engaging, making the reading experience a joy. While some note that the plot is not as intensely crafted as in Pride and Prejudice, they still find Emma to be a highly enjoyable read. The novel's wit and social commentary are also noted as key elements that add depth to the story. Overall, the reviewers appreciate the clever way Austen weaves the plot, making Emma a delightful and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    The love complications are innumerable, the humor is excellent, and the writing is spectacular.

    Without the intensely crafted plot of Pride and Prejudice, say, Emma still manages to captivate readers with its wit and charm.

    Austen's writing is a joy to read, making Emma a highly enjoyable experience.

Coffee, Books and Cake · 2023-06-16
brilliant 4.50

The novel is praised as a brilliant and sparkling comic masterpiece, filled with youthful exuberance and self-knowledge.

The reviewer finds Jane Austen's novel to be a brilliant and sparkling comic masterpiece. They appreciate the youthful exuberance and the journey of self-discovery that the protagonist undergoes. The humor and wit are highlighted as standout features, making the book a delightful read. The reviewer enjoys how the story balances comedy with deeper themes of personal growth.

Quick quotes

    Jane Austen's novel of youthful exuberance and gradual self-knowledge is a brilliant, sparkling comic masterpiece.

    She uses irony to ridicule the upper classes of her time.

    The novel is full of humor from cover to cover.

The Book Corps · 2022-01-30
engaging 4.00

Emma is a complex character who is young, rich, and independent, spending her time organizing others' lives. The review highlights her growth and the intricate subplots that make the story engaging.

The reviewer appreciates Emma's complexity and independence, noting that she is not a typical heroine. They enjoy how the story weaves multiple subplots, making it a rich and engaging read. While Emma's actions can be meddlesome, her character growth is a highlight. The reviewer finds the novel to be a delightful exploration of human nature and social dynamics.

Quick quotes

    Emma is young, rich and independent.

    She has decided not to get married and instead spends her time organising her acquaintances' love lives.

    Emma herself is certainly Austen's most complicated heroine.

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