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Emma (Vintage Classics)

by Jane Austen

Emma (Vintage Classics) Cover

ISBN13: 9780307386847
ISBN10: 0307386848
Condition: Standard
All Product Details

Only 2 left in stock at $5.50!

 

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

The most perfect of Jane Austens perfect novels begins with twenty-one-year-old Emma Woodhouse comfortably dominating the social order in the village of Highbury, convinced that she has both the understanding and the right to manage other peoples 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 lifes more intractable dilemmas, and her happiness assured.

Austens 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.

Synopsis:

Five beloved works by Jane Austen that feature characters containing the full range of human passion and moral complexity are now presented in Vintage Classics editions.

Synopsis:

Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her. So begins Jane Austen's comic masterpiece Emma. In Emma, Austen's prose brilliantly elevates, in the words of Virginia Woolf, the trivialities of day-to-day existence, of parties, picnics, and country dances of early-nineteenth-century life in the English countryside to an unrivaled level of pleasure for the reader. At the center of this world is the inimitable Emma Woodhouse, a self-proclaimed matchmaker who, by the novel's conclusion, just may find herself the victim of her own best intentions.

This Modern Library Paperback Classics edition includes newly commissioned notes on the text.

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About the Author

Jane Austen (1775—1817) was born in Hampshire, England, where she spent most of her life. Though she received little recognition in her lifetime, she came to be regarded as one of the great masters of the English novel.
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What Our Readers Are Saying

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Average customer rating based on 2 comments:
Anna R., December 15, 2008 (view all comments by Anna R.)
Clever and intriguing writing, yet surprisingly slow at times. Definitely not my favorite Austen novel, but still very cute and witty throughout. The characters are well developed, but I felt there was much unnecessary banter among certain characters that could have been summed up in a paragraph, rather than three pages. I recommend it, but not if you have a short attention span.
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rjs_justreading, October 26, 2007 (view all comments by rjs_justreading)
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.

Happy Reading!


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Product Details

ISBN:
9780307386847
Author:
Austen, Jane
Publisher:
Vintage Books USA
Subject:
Classics
Subject:
Young women
Subject:
Fathers and daughters
Subject:
Mate selection
Subject:
Love stories
Subject:
Literary
Subject:
Literature-A to Z
Copyright:
2007
Edition Description:
Trade paper
Series:
Vintage Classics
Publication Date:
20070931
Binding:
TRADE PAPER
Grade Level:
General/trade
Language:
English
Pages:
512
Dimensions:
8 x 5.15 x .9 in .8 lb
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Related Subjects

Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z
Languages » Foreign Languages » Spanish » Fiction and Poetry » Literature » A to Z

Emma (Vintage Classics) Used Trade Paper
0 stars - 0 reviews
$5.50 In Stock
Product details 512 pages Vintage Books USA - English 9780307386847 Reviews:
"Synopsis" by , Five beloved works by Jane Austen that feature characters containing the full range of human passion and moral complexity are now presented in Vintage Classics editions.
"Synopsis" by , Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her. So begins Jane Austen's comic masterpiece Emma. In Emma, Austen's prose brilliantly elevates, in the words of Virginia Woolf, the trivialities of day-to-day existence, of parties, picnics, and country dances of early-nineteenth-century life in the English countryside to an unrivaled level of pleasure for the reader. At the center of this world is the inimitable Emma Woodhouse, a self-proclaimed matchmaker who, by the novel's conclusion, just may find herself the victim of her own best intentions.

This Modern Library Paperback Classics edition includes newly commissioned notes on the text.
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