Emma: An Annotated Edition
by Jane Austen
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"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 show more 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."--Book jacket. show lessTags
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This beautiful large format hardcover edition of Emma has oversize pages which allow for the annotations from editor Bharat Tandon to appear alongside the principal text. There are relevant drawings and reproductions of paintings and even stills from filmic adaptations. But the text is never burdened at any point. The annotations tend to be clarificatory or informational, but sometimes also helpfully interpretative, especially where critical opinions diverge on the importance of key scenes.
Bharat Tandons’ introduction is worthy of special note. It is accessible yet erudite. It points up some of the key tools Austen deploys in writing Emma, such as her liberal use of free indirect style. And it is rightly conscious of the fact that no show more one would purchase such a heavy, large and somewhat expensive edition unless they were coming back to Emma, coming back with love. This is an edition of Emma almost designed, as it were, for rereaders.
No other novel, for me, has been so important over the many years that I have read and reread it. And this fine edition fully justifies the pleasure to be taken in reading it again, slowly. Highly recommended. show less
Bharat Tandons’ introduction is worthy of special note. It is accessible yet erudite. It points up some of the key tools Austen deploys in writing Emma, such as her liberal use of free indirect style. And it is rightly conscious of the fact that no show more one would purchase such a heavy, large and somewhat expensive edition unless they were coming back to Emma, coming back with love. This is an edition of Emma almost designed, as it were, for rereaders.
No other novel, for me, has been so important over the many years that I have read and reread it. And this fine edition fully justifies the pleasure to be taken in reading it again, slowly. Highly recommended. show less
Another annotated edition of Emma to add to my already overflowing shelves, requested and received as a beautiful and guilt-free Christmas present! I can't really compare this with The Annotated Emma by David Shapard, because the Kindle edition of the latter is naturally lacking in comparison with Bharat Tandon's gorgeous hardback, but both editors seem to cover much the same points in their annotations, from etiquette and etymology to recipes and literary references.
Tandon states in her introduction that she hopes her notes add to the experience of reading Emma, and that she 'didn't ever wish the genie back in the bottle' after researching Austen's novel so thoroughly. I can only agree. Even though Austen novices would perhaps start show more with a cheaper, smaller edition of the novel, there really is something for every level of reader in this magnificent annotated copy. So even though some of the definitions and explanations seemed unnecessary to me - the meaning of 'apprehension', for instance, and why Elton 'making violent love' to Emma isn't what it sounds like! - I was fascinated by Tandon's more in-depth side notes on apothecaries, recipes, and dentists, among other topics, and now know what a 'Tunbridge ware' box looks like. The illustrations are similarly informative and well-presented. I could have done without the editor's predilection for the 'American' adaptations of Emma - the 1996 Miramax film and Clueless with Alicia Silverstone, not to mention sneaking in Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility - but to each their own, I suppose.
Overall, Bharat Tandon has produced a sensual extravaganza for the hopelessly devoted aficionado of Emma. If your conscience can overlook such an 'investment', and your bookshelf can stand the weight, then I highly recommend this repackaged classic with 'extras' (even if you already own several other editions, like me!) show less
Tandon states in her introduction that she hopes her notes add to the experience of reading Emma, and that she 'didn't ever wish the genie back in the bottle' after researching Austen's novel so thoroughly. I can only agree. Even though Austen novices would perhaps start show more with a cheaper, smaller edition of the novel, there really is something for every level of reader in this magnificent annotated copy. So even though some of the definitions and explanations seemed unnecessary to me - the meaning of 'apprehension', for instance, and why Elton 'making violent love' to Emma isn't what it sounds like! - I was fascinated by Tandon's more in-depth side notes on apothecaries, recipes, and dentists, among other topics, and now know what a 'Tunbridge ware' box looks like. The illustrations are similarly informative and well-presented. I could have done without the editor's predilection for the 'American' adaptations of Emma - the 1996 Miramax film and Clueless with Alicia Silverstone, not to mention sneaking in Emma Thompson's Sense and Sensibility - but to each their own, I suppose.
Overall, Bharat Tandon has produced a sensual extravaganza for the hopelessly devoted aficionado of Emma. If your conscience can overlook such an 'investment', and your bookshelf can stand the weight, then I highly recommend this repackaged classic with 'extras' (even if you already own several other editions, like me!) show less
A huge volume! Because of all the pictures and annotations. Some of these gave interesting insights, like the significance of Augusta Hawkins' father being a businessman from Bristol. Some were of rather tenuous relevance. I would have preferred to see more illustrations from the original editions. Also, spoiler warning if you are reading Emma for the first time, you should ignore the annotations. The novel itself is an amusing and revealing peek into the lives of genteel country people of 18th Century England. Very very class conscious. Emma is a total snob and wrong about a lot of things but still a sympathetic character.
Write a review of EMMA? Well, as long as I am permitted to write three very dull things indeed, I should have no problem. Why, I am as sure to write three dull things the moment my fingers touch the keyboard, am I right?
Austen's best story, IMHO. The annotated edition from Harvard is as usual superb. I absolutely love how he makes frequent reference to both the excellent Gwyneth Paltrow 1990s movie version, as well as CLUELESS from the same decade, the latter being for sure my favorite Austen adaptation ever. I know there is a new 2019 movie adaptation as well which I must see for completeness' sake - somehow, as I don't stream and they don't seem to make DVD's anymore.
Two of my favorite quotes from this work:
"Oh, Miss Woodhouse, for show more the pleasure of sometimes being alone!"
And, "One half the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other half" - I had that on a t-shirt once. show less
Austen's best story, IMHO. The annotated edition from Harvard is as usual superb. I absolutely love how he makes frequent reference to both the excellent Gwyneth Paltrow 1990s movie version, as well as CLUELESS from the same decade, the latter being for sure my favorite Austen adaptation ever. I know there is a new 2019 movie adaptation as well which I must see for completeness' sake - somehow, as I don't stream and they don't seem to make DVD's anymore.
Two of my favorite quotes from this work:
"Oh, Miss Woodhouse, for show more the pleasure of sometimes being alone!"
And, "One half the world cannot understand the pleasures of the other half" - I had that on a t-shirt once. show less
Not uninteresting, but a very heavy book (4 pounds) with annotations rendered in grey not black, and some pages imperfectly printed (despite the quality of the paper). Many notes - particularly the explanations of the meanings of words - are patronising and unnecessary. Others serve simply to display the impressive learning of the editor. The Everyman paperback is more serviceable. The author does not need an interpreter. Nothing is sharpened by finding out that a court plaister adheres with the aid of isinglass, which comes from a fish. But certainly, that is something I did not know!
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Jane Austen's life is striking for the contrast between the great works she wrote in secret and the outward appearance of being quite dull and ordinary. Austen was born in the small English town of Steventon in Hampshire, and educated at home by her clergyman father. She was deeply devoted to her family. For a short time, the Austens lived in the show more resort city of Bath, but when her father died, they returned to Steventon, where Austen lived until her death at the age of 41. Austen was drawn to literature early, she began writing novels that satirized both the writers and the manners of the 1790's. Her sharp sense of humor and keen eye for the ridiculous in human behavior gave her works lasting appeal. She is at her best in such books as Pride and Prejudice (1813), Mansfield Park (1814), and Emma (1816), in which she examines and often ridicules the behavior of small groups of middle-class characters. Austen relies heavily on conversations among her characters to reveal their personalities, and at times her novels read almost like plays. Several of them have, in fact, been made into films. She is considered to be one of the most beloved British authors. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 2012
- People/Characters
- Emma Woodhouse; Mr. Woodhouse; Mrs. Anne Weston; Miss Taylor; Mr. Weston; Mr. Knightley; Mr. John Knightley (show all 19); Isabella Knightley; Harriet Smith; Mrs. Bates; Miss Bates; Mr. Elton; Mrs. Elton; Augusta Hawkins; Frank Churchill; Jane Fairfax; Robert Martin; William Larkins; Mr. Perry; Mr. Cole; Mrs. Cole
- Important places
- Highbury; Hartfield; Donwell Abbey; Enscombe; Weymouth, Dorset, England, UK; Maple Grove (show all 9); London, England, UK; Abbey-Mill Farm; Box Hill
- Related movies
- Emma (1996 | IMDb); Emma (1996 | IMDb); Emma (2009 | IMDb); Clueless (1995 | IMDb)
- Dedication
- For Tassia, Marley, Elio, Bipin, and Felix
- First words
- Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distre... (show all)ss or vex her.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)But in spite of these deficiencies, the wishes, the hopes, the confidence, the predictions of the small band of true friends who witnessed the ceremony, were fully answered in the perfect happiness of the union.
- Disambiguation notice
- This is an annotated edition of Emma edited by Bharat Tandon. It should not be combined with another annotated edition edited by David M. Shapard.
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- English
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- ISBNs
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