Emma by Jane Austen Book Review

Emma, a common girl fromOxbridge is sent to stay with her Aunt and Brother in Leicestershire, England. There she is forced to become a governess and cook for the family, while attempting to improve on her own poor dining habits. She is also forced to deal with the emotional turmoil brought on by her crush on Mr. Knightley, a much younger man. Despite this, Emma must struggle with feelings of jealousy, anxiety and self-pity as she tries to earn money to support herself and meet the needs of her family. This novel depicts Emma's character growth through its telling of her trials and triumphs. The main theme is the way that people are able to overcome obstacles and move forward despite difficulties.

I have read hundreds of reviews about this book and I can't help but compare it with other Jane Austen novels. It has the similar plot structure as many of the books that she wrote. However, this is not a rehashed story or a poorly written piece. Emma is a young girl going through the typical growing pains that every young girl goes through. The great thing about this story is that it is told through Ms. Austen's voice, which makes you feel like you are actually there with Emma.

The main characters include Emma, Mr. Knightley, Miss Watson, Miss Bottom and her mother. Emma lives in a fairly large farmhouse with the kitchen on the ground floor, which is the home of the main characters. Her aunt and uncle are the owners and manage the farm. Emma's father cooks and runs the kitchen. Miss Watson is the only other person of note in the house.

One of the first lessons that Emma has to learn is how to cook. She quickly proves that she has talent in this area. Her father, who is disappointed with her lack of ability, teaches her the correct way to use a frying pan and the ingredients for cooking. When Mr. Knightley comes to visit, Emma tries to impress him, but he politely declines. Mr. Knightley then informs Emma's parents of his situation, and Miss Watson comes to help him out. It is here we see the separation between the two families.

Emma soon gets caught up in the middle of a feud between her uncle and her aunt. Things get tense as Emma tries to make amends with both parties and make amends with both her parents and with Miss Watson. This is all while getting to know the other people involved with her story, such as Mr. Knightley's son. This is a theme that runs throughout the novel as events and people are added to the novel to bring it to life. Events and interactions make it feel real and add some depth to what could otherwise be a fairly simple story.

Overall, this is a story that is entertaining and would make an interesting story to read. However, if you don't care too much for the subject matter, you probably won't enjoy it either. If you do enjoy the story and its plot, then you will find this to be an enjoyable read. It doesn't reach its full potential, but it is still an interesting read.