Emma – Chartwell Classics

Dive into a world of romance, village life, and even a little silliness in Jane Austen’s timeless novel.

Despite the fact that Jane Austen set out to write a story with a heroine whom she said that “no one but myself will much like,” Emma has resonated with readers since its original publication in 1815 and has been retold many times for television and movies.

Self-satisfied Emma Woodhouse thinks she is above romance of any kind, but when she decides she is a great matchmaker and sets out to find a wealthy husband for her friend, the sweet yet pitiable Harriet Smith, she crosses paths with the charming Mr. Knightley. Even though Emma tries to ignore her feelings for him, she ends up marrying him and realizes that “Perfect happiness, even in memory, is not common.”

Beyond the romance, Emma is full of humor and wit and is also a commentary on upper-class social manners at the turn of the nineteenth century. The title character herself, rather you love her or hate her, is both inescapably self-delusional and rather fun to imagine.

Complete and unabridged, this elegantly designed, jacketed hardcover edition features an introduction by English literature scholar Alison Fraser and a timeline of the life and times of Jane Austen.

Essential volumes for the shelves of every classic literature lover, the Chartwell Classics series includes beautifully presented works and collections from some of the most important authors in literary history. Chartwell Classics are the editions of choice for the most discerning literature buffs.