For my first time, I read the third volume in my Jane Austen set, 'Emma.' I've seen various film versions of this story many times, but had never read it. Jane Austen is an amazing story teller and, as I expected, I adored this book.
The printing was gorgeous, as the others from this Easton Press set have been. It features a couple dozen full color images throughout. The illustrations complement the prose well and provide neat glimpses into certain scenes of the book.
The book tells the tale of Emma, who fancies herself a matchmaker, but finds that reality can fall short of her goals in that regard, especially as it relates to her dear friend, Harriet Smith. She counsels her friend to reject one suitor, Mr. Robert Martin, in favor of another, Mr. Philip Elton. Mr. Elton, a preacher, ends up falling in love with Emma rather than Harriet, though. Emma refuses his profession of love and he shortly afterwards marries someone else, which devastates Harriet.
Later in the book, Emma begins to suspect that Harriet has fallen for Mr. Frank Churchill, though, much to Emma's surprise, it is actually Emma's close friend, Mr. Knightley, that she adores. This comes to light when Mr. Churchill becomes engaged to someone else and Harriet is indifferent to it. This misunderstanding causes some considerable strife to Emma's and Harriet's friendship. Emma finds that she is jealous of the attentions that she suddenly realizes Mr. Knightley had been giving to Harriet. Emma found that she thought more fondly of Mr. Knightley than she had of Mr. Churchill or, indeed, of anyone else.
Emma is a good friend to Harriet, though, and a good friend to Mr. Knightley though she makes mistakes with both of them. That's a very human characteristic. Ultimately, Mr. Knightley professes his love for her and she accepts him. She later learns that Harriet accepts Mr. Martin upon his proposing to her a second time. The story ends with a series of weddings officiated by Mr. Elton.
This was a delightful read. It took me somewhat longer than I expected, but I haven't been reading as much lately as I had been. I've been swamped. And distracted. I'm looking forward to diving into the next volume of this wonderful set.