Emma, Hardcover/Jane Austen

"Emma," perhaps the most technically accomplished of all of Austen s novels, is also, after "Pride and Prejudice, " her most popular one. Its numerous film and television adaptations testify to the world s enduring affection for the headstrong, often misguided Emma Woodhouse and her many romantic schemes. Like the previous volumes in Harvard s celebrated annotated Austen series, "Emma: An Annotated Edition" is a beautiful and illuminating gift edition that will be treasured by readers. Stimulating and helpful annotations appear in the book s margins, offering information, definitions, and commentary. In his Introduction, Bharat Tandon suggests several ways to approach the novel, enabling a larger appreciation of its central concerns and accomplishments. Appearing throughout the book are many illustrations, often in color, which help the reader to better picture the Regency-era world that serves as the stage for Emma s matchmaking adventures. Whether explaining the intricacies of early nineteenth-century dinner etiquette or speculating on Highbury s deliberately imprecise geographical location, Tandon serves as a delightful and entertaining guide. For those coming to the novel for the first time or those returning to it, "Emma: An Annotated Edition" offers a valuable portal to Austen s world."