Wordsworth Editions Ltd Emma (Wordsworth Classics)

So said Jane Austen about Emma Woodhouse; some people love the book though others dislike it. Emma is snobbish and interfering and is always trying to match-make. But she fails to see what is under her nose - as does the reader on first reading the book. What makes it worth reading is to see where the author gives you clues about the real situation. I see something new in the book every time I read.The characters are interesting and even the most minor ones have interesting personalities. There is the talkative Miss Bates - everyone knows someone like her; Mr Knightley - so much part of the furniture that Emma takes him for granted. Frank Churchill - not at all what he seems; hypochondriac Mr Woodhouse - Emma's father - everyone likes him in spite of his concentration on his, and everyone else', health. It is not just Emma who must become aware of her all too human faults before the end of the book.This Wordsworth edition is good value and well produced with a readable type face, an interesting introduction and notes on the text. If you haven't read any Jane Austen before you would probably do better to start with `Pride and Prejudice' or `Northanger Abbey', but `Emma' is a novel to be read and savoured.

I liked it and found it mostly enjoyable, though the last few chapters felt lacking in something. It's like it had died down once certain things are discovered and understood. I like the formality of the time, but at times the dialogue becomes tiresome and every now and then my concentration would falter.Emma was more likeable to me earlier on in the book, as it progresses I got to see more of the real Emma. It didn't put me off her though.The notes at the back of the book are handy and the illustrations are nice too. Overall a good read, just not a fabulous ending.

This is the first Jane Austen novel I ever read and it will always be special to me for that exact reason. It's a really wonderful story, about beautiful well to do 18 year old Emma Woodhouse and her blessed life and everyone in it. Highly recommend a fantastic book.

I enjoyed it although it is not my favourite From JayneAusten. However, reading the classics helps you to understand the popular culture references and how they keep being adapted in movies, new books, etc

i have quite a few wordsworth classics now and they all vary in quality, this one has extremely floppy pages which are quite thin, but not too bad. i do love that these have little illustrations in though it is really sweet