Emma

Living in Lima, Peru, the books available in English have been limited. Much as I’m trying to improve my Spanish, I’m not quite good enough to read a whole novel yet! Luckily, I found a nice selection of English language books at a local bookstore, and Jane Auten’s Emma is what captured my interest. Until now, I’ve only read one book by Jane Austen: Persuasion, a few years ago, as part of a college class I took. How can an English major only have read one Jane Austen novel?! I couldn’t say, and trust me, it wasn’t on purpose! But with Emma in tow, I’m determined to work through all six of her finished novels. 

In contrast to Persuasion, which is somber yet beautifully done, Emma is much more frivolous and fun. The titular character, Emma Woodhouse, fancies herself a matchmaker, and she’s always maneuvering people to suit her will. It’s not meant to be controlling or malicious; she just wants to help people! And like so many matchmakers, Emma doesn’t think she’s destined for love herself. But while she spends all her time setting up other couples, she can’t see what’s right in front of her. Couldn’t her best friend, Mr. Knightley, become something more?

Emma is a lively novel with a lot of characters and side stories. The tone throughout is lighthearted and silly, and it’s easy to poke fun at Emma herself. She can be so unaware, despite her wit and constant involvement. She’s imperfect but lovable, though I found myself growing impatient for her love story with Mr. Knightley to really unfold! This is the slow-burn, friends-to-lovers story that must have started the trope. 

All in all, Emma is a delightful and easy book. It’s quite different from Persuasion, which indicates Jane Austen’s breadth and dynamic. I’m eager to read more of her novels, and Pride and Prejudice will surely need to be next for me!