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Emma
Following her governess’s marriage, wealthy, spoilt Emma Woodhouse seeks new company and new amusement. Ignoring the warnings of her friend Mr. Knightley, she begins a series of terrible blunders.
Through letters to her sister, the author presents the reader with puzzles to confuse even the best detective. Who sent the mystery piano? Why is Mr. Elton so charming and Miss Fairfax so reserved? How many men can Harriet love? Who is hiding a shocking secret?
With little understanding of her own feelings, can Emma lead anyone towards happiness? Can you solve any of the mysteries before Emma does?
Real Reads -- the classics retold and beautifully illustrated. Real Reads are a new and exciting way of presenting our literary heritage to a new audience: bright young primary readers, children who have seen the films and now want the books, teenagers who want to read the classics but aren't yet ready for the original, grown-up readers who want a quick fix of their favorite classical author, less confident readers who don't want to be left out of real books, learners of English who want to explore the classics everyone talks about.
Through letters to her sister, the author presents the reader with puzzles to confuse even the best detective. Who sent the mystery piano? Why is Mr. Elton so charming and Miss Fairfax so reserved? How many men can Harriet love? Who is hiding a shocking secret?
With little understanding of her own feelings, can Emma lead anyone towards happiness? Can you solve any of the mysteries before Emma does?
Real Reads -- the classics retold and beautifully illustrated. Real Reads are a new and exciting way of presenting our literary heritage to a new audience: bright young primary readers, children who have seen the films and now want the books, teenagers who want to read the classics but aren't yet ready for the original, grown-up readers who want a quick fix of their favorite classical author, less confident readers who don't want to be left out of real books, learners of English who want to explore the classics everyone talks about.
- GenresClassics
64 pages, Paperback
First published December 23, 1815
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209 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
November 9, 2018
This is a simple adaptation of Emma aimed at upper elementary readers (ages 9-12). I liked the character introductions and the questions to think about. I also liked how periodically the story is interrupted with letters from Jane to Cassandra asking questions about her puzzles, foreshadowing for the young reader what comes next. Kids will enjoy trying to figure out the puzzles. Parts of the story are simplified and summarized but overall, I liked the adaptation. The book also includes a section for teachers or adults to help guide the young reader. The author explains the things that were cut out of the story in bullet points for easy reading; Back in Time: a simple explanation of Emma's world and Jane Austen's writing; Finding Out More: books and websites to learn more about Jane Austen, her life and times; Food For Thought and starting points for readers to discuss; Themes and Style.
I dropped my rating from 4 stars because of the illustrations. I didn't like the way the illustrator based them on the movies. I recognized some of Emma's dresses right away. (Plus, look at the cover of Pride and Prejudice. Does Lizzie look familiar to anyone?!!!). IF the illustrator had bothered to read the book, she would have known Emma has brown hair and hazel eyes, not blond. The illustrations aren't dreadful, I'm being nitpicky, but knowing the story so well and having seen multiple different illustrations of Emma, I would put these somewhere in the middle. (Holman Wang's needle felted figures are my very favorite illustrations).
Where this book fails, however, is that the author seems confused about what age is reading this story. The vocabulary is far too sophisticated and antiquated for the age range this story is aimed at. I know an 8 year old and almost 10 year old. They won't know the words governess, vicar, meddling or even understand why Robert Martin is the best husband for Harriet. Emma describes Mr. Martin as "awkward" and "uncouth" without any real explanation about the class structure. Perhaps British children understand all these things better than Americans.
I was hoping to give this to my nieces but it's still too difficult to read on their own. Maybe in another year or two I'll try. For now, it goes on my Austen shelf.
I dropped my rating from 4 stars because of the illustrations. I didn't like the way the illustrator based them on the movies. I recognized some of Emma's dresses right away. (Plus, look at the cover of Pride and Prejudice. Does Lizzie look familiar to anyone?!!!). IF the illustrator had bothered to read the book, she would have known Emma has brown hair and hazel eyes, not blond. The illustrations aren't dreadful, I'm being nitpicky, but knowing the story so well and having seen multiple different illustrations of Emma, I would put these somewhere in the middle. (Holman Wang's needle felted figures are my very favorite illustrations).
Where this book fails, however, is that the author seems confused about what age is reading this story. The vocabulary is far too sophisticated and antiquated for the age range this story is aimed at. I know an 8 year old and almost 10 year old. They won't know the words governess, vicar, meddling or even understand why Robert Martin is the best husband for Harriet. Emma describes Mr. Martin as "awkward" and "uncouth" without any real explanation about the class structure. Perhaps British children understand all these things better than Americans.
I was hoping to give this to my nieces but it's still too difficult to read on their own. Maybe in another year or two I'll try. For now, it goes on my Austen shelf.
February 4, 2016
I always read a book once.
October 20, 2019
I always read a book once.
February 9, 2021
Gill Tavern and Real Reads have been retelling famous classics from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens to Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. “…fitted into a 64-page book, making classic stories, dramas and histories available to intelligent young readers as a bridge to the full texts, to language students wanting access to other cultures, and to adult readers who are unlikely ever to read the original versions.” Goodreads. There new book “Emma” by Jane Austen has been added to list of classical stories.
Goodreads synopsis:
Following her governess's marriage, wealthy, spoilt Emma Woodhouse seeks new company and new amusement. Ignoring the warnings of her friend Mr. Knightley, she begins a series of terrible blunders. Through letters to her sister, the author presents the reader with puzzles to confuse even the best detective. Who sent the mystery piano? Why is Mr. Elton so charming and Miss Fairfax so reserved? How many men can Harriet love? Who is hiding a shocking secret? With little understanding of her own feelings, can Emma lead anyone towards happiness? Can you solve any of the mysteries before Emma does?
This book includes a list of characters in the front of the book with little one sentence descriptions for each of them, thus making it easier to comprehend what is going on throughout the story. If you get lost with who is who in this story you can always use this character’s list as a reference.
They also include “Taking this Further” section in the back of the book including “Filling in the Spaces” which informs the readers of subplots and information that the cut from the original book. “Back in time” which includes information about the author, “Finding out more” which gives you resources to find out more about the book and author, and lastly “Food for thought” which gives you questions to further the reader to think about the characters, themes and plots.
This book is great for kids in late elementary or early middle school. I would not advertise it for adults even as an abridge version of the original story. Though, I think this book would be an excellent addition to classroom homework, I find that it was too easy of an read that many adults would not be interested in. I am a huge fan of the original story, and I agree with what subplots they decided to leave out. It’s hard with these adaptations, the originals are always best but that is not the point of these books. The point is to capture as much of the original story in a short easier to read story for less “read-aholics”. I think they did just swell in their attempts to downsize this story and hope all younger adults will enjoy the plot as much as I did.
DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from Goodreads first reads for this review. I pride myself on an honest review. Therefor just because I received this book for free for my review I review these books unbiased.
Goodreads synopsis:
Following her governess's marriage, wealthy, spoilt Emma Woodhouse seeks new company and new amusement. Ignoring the warnings of her friend Mr. Knightley, she begins a series of terrible blunders. Through letters to her sister, the author presents the reader with puzzles to confuse even the best detective. Who sent the mystery piano? Why is Mr. Elton so charming and Miss Fairfax so reserved? How many men can Harriet love? Who is hiding a shocking secret? With little understanding of her own feelings, can Emma lead anyone towards happiness? Can you solve any of the mysteries before Emma does?
This book includes a list of characters in the front of the book with little one sentence descriptions for each of them, thus making it easier to comprehend what is going on throughout the story. If you get lost with who is who in this story you can always use this character’s list as a reference.
They also include “Taking this Further” section in the back of the book including “Filling in the Spaces” which informs the readers of subplots and information that the cut from the original book. “Back in time” which includes information about the author, “Finding out more” which gives you resources to find out more about the book and author, and lastly “Food for thought” which gives you questions to further the reader to think about the characters, themes and plots.
This book is great for kids in late elementary or early middle school. I would not advertise it for adults even as an abridge version of the original story. Though, I think this book would be an excellent addition to classroom homework, I find that it was too easy of an read that many adults would not be interested in. I am a huge fan of the original story, and I agree with what subplots they decided to leave out. It’s hard with these adaptations, the originals are always best but that is not the point of these books. The point is to capture as much of the original story in a short easier to read story for less “read-aholics”. I think they did just swell in their attempts to downsize this story and hope all younger adults will enjoy the plot as much as I did.
DISCLAIMER: I received this book free from Goodreads first reads for this review. I pride myself on an honest review. Therefor just because I received this book for free for my review I review these books unbiased.
December 3, 2013
[from Amazon.uk]:
The classics retold and beautifully illustrated. Real Reads are a new and exciting way of presenting our literary heritage to a new audience: bright young primary readers, children who have seen the films and now want the books, teenagers who want to read the classics but aren't yet ready for the original, grown-up readers who want a quick fix of their favourite classical author, less confident readers who don't want to be left out of real books, learners of English who want to explore the classics everyone talks about. For more information, please visit RealReads.co.uk. 'I must warn you that you might guess twenty things without guessing correctly.' Following her governess's marriage, wealthy, spoilt Emma Woodhouse seeks new company and new amusement. Ignoring the warnings of her friend Mr Knightley, she begins a series of terrible blunders. Through letters to her sister, the author presents the reader with puzzles to confuse even the best detective. Who sent the mystery piano? Why is Mr Elton so charming and Miss Fairfax so reserved? How many men can Harriet love? Who is hiding a shocking secret? With little understanding of her own feelings, can Emma lead anyone towards happiness? Can you solve any of the mysteries before Emma does?
The classics retold and beautifully illustrated. Real Reads are a new and exciting way of presenting our literary heritage to a new audience: bright young primary readers, children who have seen the films and now want the books, teenagers who want to read the classics but aren't yet ready for the original, grown-up readers who want a quick fix of their favourite classical author, less confident readers who don't want to be left out of real books, learners of English who want to explore the classics everyone talks about. For more information, please visit RealReads.co.uk. 'I must warn you that you might guess twenty things without guessing correctly.' Following her governess's marriage, wealthy, spoilt Emma Woodhouse seeks new company and new amusement. Ignoring the warnings of her friend Mr Knightley, she begins a series of terrible blunders. Through letters to her sister, the author presents the reader with puzzles to confuse even the best detective. Who sent the mystery piano? Why is Mr Elton so charming and Miss Fairfax so reserved? How many men can Harriet love? Who is hiding a shocking secret? With little understanding of her own feelings, can Emma lead anyone towards happiness? Can you solve any of the mysteries before Emma does?
March 24, 2015
This is the classic and famous story, Emma by Jane Austen, retold to become accessible to young readers. The illustrations help depict the time of the original story e.g. the clothes the characters are wearing. There is a list of characters at the beginning of the book with a brief description of their role in the story - this is a good reference point for young readers.
At the end of the book there is information regarding Jane Austen e.g. where you can find out more information about her. There is a section explaining the gaps in this adaptation compared with the original text. There are pages that give you questions to think about the story and characters further.
I think this book is a great way to encourage children to want to read classic and timeless stories, especially with the detail at the end of this adaptation explaining so much about the original. This book will hopefully capture the interest of a young reader. I also think it could be used as a class book .. maybe when thinking about changes over time thinking about the clothes worn in 1816 etc.
At the end of the book there is information regarding Jane Austen e.g. where you can find out more information about her. There is a section explaining the gaps in this adaptation compared with the original text. There are pages that give you questions to think about the story and characters further.
I think this book is a great way to encourage children to want to read classic and timeless stories, especially with the detail at the end of this adaptation explaining so much about the original. This book will hopefully capture the interest of a young reader. I also think it could be used as a class book .. maybe when thinking about changes over time thinking about the clothes worn in 1816 etc.
January 21, 2010
This is an abridgement that might appeal to elementary readers. The Real Reads classics are smartly done and do a good job of telling the plot of the original novel. The Real Reads Emma has nice illustrations, a cast of characters, story points, a study guide, and a reading list. Importantly, it explains that the story has been shortened for this retelling and encourages reading the original Austen.
March 21, 2010
It's 4 stars not because the book is bad, I mean it's a hell knows what century book...Very good yes, I actually wanted to read Interview with a vampire when I found this, but this was good, entertaining to be sure, witty, but all in all kinda no action yeah, BUT very enjoyable.
Emma's highly entertaining, quick, I like her.
Emma's highly entertaining, quick, I like her.
June 5, 2011
yawn. snooze. boring. stupid. all of the above and then some.
August 11, 2016
A great quick read with great pictures.
April 3, 2014
Excellent way to introduce new and young readers to the classics.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews