Emma: A romance novel by Jane Austen (unabridged)

Emma by Jane Austen is a novel about youthful hubris and the perils of misconstrued romance. The novel was first published in December 1815. As in her other novels Austen explores the concerns and difficulties of genteel women living in Georgian-Regency England; she also creates a lively comedy of manners among her characters. Before she began the novel Austen wrote I am going to take a heroine whom no one but myself will much like. In the first sentence she introduces the title character as Emma Woodhouse handsome clever and rich. Emma is spoiled headstrong and self-satisfied; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities; she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other peoples lives; and her imagination and perceptions often lead her astray. This novel has been adapted for several films many television programmes and a long list of stage plays.