Emma

I just finished listening to another audio book by Jane Austen.
This one is entitled EMMA.

Emma is the main character in the story. She is a clever young woman of about 21 years old. She has the luxuries in life and amuses herself with gossip, matchmaking and the occasional parties. She lives comfortably with her father and is the mistress of a big property.

The story starts with her governess, Miss Taylor getting married and she is now left alone with her father to attend as usual to the needs of her house and her father. She deemed it her own doing that her governess married Mr Weston because of her match making prowess. And so when she meets a young lady friend Harriet, she resolved to have her married to Mr Elton who was of a financial good standing in the community. However, Harriet receives a marriage proposal from Mr Martin, a farmer, but declined it when Emma somehow persuaded her that she and Mr Elton were meant for each other.

Unbeknown to Emma, Mr Elton was actually wanting Emma to be his bride and when he proposed to Emma,she was all shocked and felt so poorly for her friend Harriet. Ofcourse, she declined Mr Elton’s proposal since she did not fancy him at all. Upon hearing of this news, Harriet felt so heart broken, she really fell in love with Mr Elton.

Mr Elton left town for a few weeks. He came back engaged with Augusta, a woman of such obnoxious character that Emma hated her at the very first time they met.

The story continues with the arrival of Frank Churchill, Mr Weston’s son and now the stepson of formerly Miss Taylor. A neighbour’s niece, Jane Fairfax also arrives in town and visits and parties goes on amongst these characters. Frank gives all his attention to Emma and Emma takes on this attention but decides later that she does not have at all any feelings for him.

It was such a surprise when it ended up that Jane and Frank had a secret engagement after all. This was the reason that is why Jane was so cross with Emma. She was jealous of her.

Mr Knightley, about 37. He is a close friend of Emma, and her only critic, though he cares deeply for her.

When Harriet confides to Emma that she thinks Mr. Knightley is in love with her, jealousy forces Emma to realize that she loves him herself. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Knightley proposes to Emma, Harriet reconciles with her young farmer, Jane and Emma reconcile and everyone lives happily ever after.

I enjoyed this audio book again. I am always enamoured by Jane Austen’s novels.
Prunella Scales was delighful in the way she read this book.