Emma

Next on our Jane Austen fesitval of blogs is her work entitled Emma. It is the story of a young woman [yes, Emma IS her name, way to pay attention] and her crazy urge to match people up. It's not so much out of an ideal of bringing people happiness, but just so she'll have something to do and be able to point out her good work. She's arrogant, snobby, stuck-up, and....yeah, that's about it. Oh, and she's very rich. And yet, we kinda like her...

Anyway, she meets this girl Harriet Smith who is a poor orphan with no idea who her parents are or what her situation is. Emma decides Harriet needs a man and so she sets out to find one for her, persuading Harriet to turn against the only guy who has ever treated her well because he's "not good enough" for her. Things get WAAAAAY messed up when Mr. Elton the clergyman makes his true feelings known, and then Frank Churchill shows up and everything goes bonkers again as people make assumptions and judgements, and then there's the insulting thing at BVox Hill with Jane Fairfax....

Did I mention there IS a good guy here? His name is Mr. Knightly and he is basically perfect. He's known Emma since she was a baby and he is kinda like an older brother to her, complete with scoldings and blunt opionions. His brother married her sister, but other than that there is no connection... Anywho, he's great....

I really can't say much about this one, guys. It's one of those every surprise just makes it better, and if you know the surprise, it just ruins it. But I do love this book and if you can get around Jane's funny way of saying things, you'll see that it's actually quite witty and sometimes downright hilarious.

If Hollywood is more your style, go with the Gwenyth Paltrow version. Knightly is good looking.

If you prefer the BBC, go with the Kate Beckinsale version. Knightly is mysterious and bold.

Or if your tastes run musical, try and catch Emma the Musical if it comes your way! Knightly...can sing.....