Emma

5b Jane Austen. London: Robert Rivière & Son Ltd., ca. 1920.

Notes

Emma by Jane Austen, published in 1815, is a witty and insightful novel centered on the life of Emma Woodhouse, a wealthy, headstrong, and somewhat spoiled young woman living in the English countryside. Confident in her matchmaking abilities, Emma meddles in the romantic lives of those around her, often with misguided results. As her plans unravel, she comes to recognize her own faults and the limitations of her understanding, particularly when it comes to love and her feelings for the sensible and principled Mr. Knightley.

The novel explores themes of social class, marriage, self-deception, and personal growth with Austen’s signature irony and keen social observation. Unlike many of Austen’s other heroines, Emma is financially independent and not pressured to marry, which gives her the freedom to develop in a unique way. Through Emma’s journey from self-assurance to self-awareness, Austen crafts a deeply human story that combines humor, romance, and a sharp critique of social dynamics in Regency England.

Description

Green canvas boards with green leather three quarter binding. Gilt lines along each section of leather. Five raised bands with gilt ornamentation in each compartment and lettering in the second and third compartment. Gilt top edge. Marbled endpapers. Sun fading making the spine appear a light brown. Rubbing to the edges and bumped points. Fully intact. Fine condition overall.