Emma, Jane Austen
Emma, Jane Austen
13 Rating(s)
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Emma

Author: Jane Austen

Narrator: Geoffrey Giuliano, The Arc

Unabridged: 16 hr 36 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 10/11/2023

Categories: Fiction, Women, Classic


Synopsis

"Emma," one of Jane Austen's most beloved novels, published in 1815, introduces readers to the spirited and well-intentioned but often misguided heroine, Emma Woodhouse. Set in the early 19th century in the fictional village of Highbury, the novel revolves around Emma's penchant for matchmaking and her journey of self-discovery.
At the heart of "Emma" is the titular character's desire to arrange advantageous marriages for her friends and acquaintances. Emma's well-meant but misguided attempts at matchmaking lead to a series of comedic misunderstandings and romantic entanglements. Through Emma's adventures, Austen explores the complexities of human relationships, the consequences of meddling in others' lives, and the pitfalls of making snap judgments about people's characters.
The novel also delves into the theme of self-awareness and personal growth. As the story progresses, Emma undergoes a transformation from a self-assured but somewhat arrogant young woman to a more humble and self-aware individual. Her journey of self-discovery serves as a central narrative arc, highlighting Austen's skill in portraying the moral and emotional development of her characters.
Austen's signature wit and humor shine through in "Emma." The novel is replete with clever dialogue, satirical observations, and sharp social commentary. The characters, from the well-meaning but misguided Emma to the reserved but perceptive Mr. Knightley, come to life through Austen's masterful storytelling.

About Jane Austen

Jane Austen was born on December 16, 1775, to the Reverend George Austen and his wife, Cassandra Leigh Austen, in the village of Steventon in Hampshire, England. Though her mother was from a family of gentry, Jane's father was not well off, and the large family had to take in school boarders to make ends meet. The second youngest of the Austens' eight children, Jane was very close to her elder, and only, sister, Cassandra, and neither sister ever married. Both girls were educated at home, as many were at that time.

From a young age Jane wrote satires and read them aloud to her appreciative family. Though she completed the manuscripts of two full-length novels while living at Steventon, these were not published. Later, these novels were revised into the form under which they were published, as Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, respectively.

In 1801, George Austen retired from the clergy, and Jane, Cassandra, and their parents took up residence in Bath, a fashionable town Jane liked far less than her native village. Jane seems to have written little during this period. When Mr. Austen died in 1805, the three women, Mrs. Austen and her daughters, moved first to Southampton and then, partly subsidized by Jane's brothers, occupied a house in Chawton, a village not unlike Jane's first home. There she began to work on writing and pursued publishing once more, leading to the anonymous publication of Sense and Sensibility in 1811 and Pride and Prejudice in 1813, to modestly good reviews.

Known for her cheerful, modest, and witty character, Jane Austen had a busy family and social life but very little direct romantic experience. Her last years were quiet and devoted to family, friends, and writing her final novels. In 1817 she had to interrupt work on her last and unfinished novel, Sanditon, because she fell ill. She died on July 18, 1817, in Winchester, where she had been taken for medical treatment. After her death, her novels Northanger Abbey and Persuasion were published, together with a biographical notice, due to the efforts of her brother Henry. Austen is buried in Winchester Cathedral.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Kelly on December 26, 2011

This is a book about math, mirrors and crystal balls, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Village life? Sorta. The lives of the idle rich? I mean, sure, but only partially and incidentally. Romance? Barely. A morality tale of the Education of Young Lady? The young lady stands for and does many......more

Goodreads review by emma on March 15, 2024

(deep breath) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!! [URL not allowed] Okay. Sorry about that. I just remembered the words "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it......more

Goodreads review by Emily on June 12, 2018

Loved it! Why don't I read more classics?! I'll definitely need to read her other books. The BBC tv show was also adorable!......more

Goodreads review by Lisa of Troy on August 17, 2024

I really wanted to like this, but I didn't. Jane Austen and I do not get along. Emma apparently has nothing better to do than try to pair her friend Harriet up with essentially any male that is more wealthy than Robert Martin. This book was so boring. I didn't care about the characters at all. Most......more

Goodreads review by Tharindu on March 20, 2021

"A mind lively and at ease, can do with seeing nothing," “Prejudiced! I am not prejudiced.” There aren't that many things out there, giving one a most fulfilling feeling like reading one of Jane Austen novels. While inheriting author's most beautiful style of writing, each of her works appears to have......more