Emma. ILLUSTRATED

Emma, by Jane Austen, is a comic novel about 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 very first sentence she introduces the
title character as "Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich." Emma, however,
is also rather spoiled; she greatly overestimates her own matchmaking abilities;
and she is blind to the dangers of meddling in other people's lives and is often
mistaken about the meanings of others' actions.

- Excerpted from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.