Mr. Knightley is a confirmed bachelor in his late-thirties,
who's content to dine with friends, play whist with the
local gentlemen and spend quiet evenings with his
unbetrothed and much younger sister-in-law and her ailing
father. Mr. Knightley is a successful local businessman who
owns many farms. He's the county magistrate and an esteemed
member of Highbury society, a mere 16 miles from London.
It's the early 1800s and there's talk amongst the men of
the war with France, but most of the local talk is about
the residents, their social antics and gossip about who
will marry whom. He keeps a detailed diary in which he
records, his activities, his business transactions and the
social events of the folk of Highbury.
Mr. Knightley also pays special attention, in his writing,
to the antics of his unwed sister-in-law, Emma. It's clear
from early entries in his diary that he views Emma
favorably, but he writes that she is child-like, petulant
and somewhat immature. His musings are colored by the fact
that he's 16 years her senior and flatters himself to be a
most sensible and intelligent gentleman. However, as the
story unfolds, it's clear from Knightley's entries that he
has a fondness for Emma that goes beyond the tie of her
older sister being married to his younger brother, and it's
clear that his fondness is more than that of an older in-
law who serves as a platonic friend and sometime advisor.
As the reader continues through Mr. Knightley's diary, it
becomes evident that he is, indeed, in love with his dear
Emma, though he fails to acknowledge this, even to himself,
until he loses her to another man.
The rest of the story is an entertaining tale of misread
signs, social mishaps and missed opportunities for Mr.
Knightley to declare his love for Emma. Are these two
kindred souls really destined to end up together or not?
There is a bit of mystery and much humorous drama as the
local townsfolk go about gossiping and meddling in each
others affairs as they guess about who will end up with
whom. Indeed, a pleasurable read to be had with tea, and
preferable to a hand of whist.
This novel begins slowly and I had some difficulty staying
with it. However, I am glad I did. It may be because the
author has written the novel from a man's point of view and
in diary form, but some of the initial lethargy is inherent
by design. As is reasonably observed and expected,
gentlemen, if they keep a diary, are likely to record
specific information in a business-like manner. Whereas,
women are more likely to cite details and emotions. A woman
will extrapolate meaning out of social events and
interactions, whereas a gentleman is more likely to record
the exact details of an event and not include his feelings.
This book began, as was necessary to establish the
characters and setting, with many details of persons and
places, but seemingly little emotion from Mr. Knightley. It
is not until later in the book that the reader is treated
to his emotions as he begins recording these in his diary
more frequently and in more impassioned detail. The author
uses interesting dialogue, which from my personal research,
is consistent with the standard dialect and word usage of
London and its out-lying farm areas in the early 1800s. If
one can stick with this book for the first few months of
Mr. Knightley's diary entries, it develops into a very
enjoyable read and an amusing tale.
Relive Jane Austen's Emma- from Mr. Knightley's
point of view.
Between managing his estate and
visiting his brother in London, Mr. Knightley is both
exasperated and amused by his irresistibly beautiful,
outrageously mischievous neighbor, Emma Woodhouse, whose
misguided attempts at matchmaking are wreaking havoc in
the village of Highbury.
But when a handsome
newcomer arrives and catches Emma's attention, Mr.
Knightley is shocked by his reaction. Amusement gives way
to another emotion entirely-for his unreasonable dislike
of the handsome newcomer seems suspiciously like jealousy.
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