CreatorAusten, Jane, 1775-1817TitleEmmaDate of publication1816SourceEmma : a novel. In three volumes .Description
Published anonymously, as were her three earlier novels, Emma was the last to be published before Jane Austen's death in 1817. Her identity was however known at the time and the Prince Regent invited her to dedicate a work to him: the reluctant author complied in Emma.
Austen had written that she would create a heroine 'whom no one would like but herself.' (Austen-Leigh p. 306) Her Emma Woodhouse is unlike her other heroines such as Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and prejudice and while handsome and clever Emma is also rich and spoiled. Her well-intentioned attempts at matchmaking almost result in disaster for friends and acquaintances. It is a book in which 'there are no stirring incidents; there is no change of scene. The heroine, whose society we enjoy throughout, never sleeps away from home, ... no character in the book is ill, no one is ruined, there is no villain, and no paragon. On the other hand, the plot is admirably contrived and never halts; ...' (Austen-Leigh pp.306-7)
The format of early 19th century novels provided clear type, comparatively few words per page and a catch word at the bottom of each page which indicated the first word on the next: an aid to reading aloud. A style distinctly different from late 19th and 20th century publishing.
The staff member who nominated this title for the 'staff favourites' exhibition wrote 'plain but delightful early editions that give one a clear idea of what it was like to read Austen as originally published. Each page contains only about 100 words for ease of reading. The next word on the subsequent page is shown at the bottom of the text to aid reading aloud... I want them for my own!!'
