"Emma" by Jane Austen

I finished reading Emma by Jane Austen last week while our family was on a camping trip and I have to say that I found the story a little on the slow side (probably just because I am of the "gotta-have-it-now" generation) but highly satisfying, especially as I neared the end. At 453 pages (at least in my edition) this stands as Austen's longest novel, her most in depth treatise on daily living and relationships, and is often thought of as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

Emma Woodhouse, the beautiful, rich and single heroine of the novel, is very happy with her life and sees no reason to change it. Near the beginning of the book she says, "I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall." "My being charming, Harriet, is not quite enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charming - one other person at least." However, she quite dotes on those around her and is sure that she has found a match for her new friend Harriet whose birth and social status is quite unknown. While trying to play the role of matchmaker (with no success) for her friend Harriet, Emma finally comes to realize that she has found love for herself in a very unexpected place.

Before reading this novel I had seen the movie version starring Gwyneth Paltrow several times so in my mind Emma will always look like her, Harriet will always look like Toni Collette, and Mr. Knightley will always look like Jeremy Northam (which is really fine by me). I tried to picture my cute sister-in-law Michelle as Harriet but to no avail - the Hollywood version was already so engrained in my mind (by the way, the Gwyneth Paltrow version is quite excellent in my opinion).

Something that I found very frustrating in reading this book is that Emma is member of the social elite and as such her snobbery and classifying of people is a natural part of her make-up and her thoughts. Mr. Knightly, also a member of the social elite, has a much more balanced opinion of those around him and tries to help guide Emma in her treatment of others. After some time Emma discovers that she loves him but worries that his feelings are for another but "It darted through her with the speed of an arrow that Mr. Knightley must marry no one but herself!"

In the end, my favorite quote from the entire book is near the end after Jeremy Northam, excuse me - I mean Mr. Knightley and Emma are in love. He is not a romancer and makes no bones about it when he says to Emma, "If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more." Sort of reminds me of my my adoring husband...who I might add loves me very much.

I give it **** four stars. Slow as it was, I'm glad I read it. The cast of characters is delightful. The writing is beautifully done. Emma, with her flaws and all, is easy to love and easy to relate to (at least as a woman). You should read it too! (And by the way, this now concludes my reading of all of Jane Austen's six completed novels).