This is an absolutely beautiful edition of Emma. The illustrations are lovely and go well with the story.

This book will always be a classic so I'm not rating the story but more the art work and it was stunning. This version would make a beautiful gift for any book lover.

Marjolein Bastin’s beautiful illustrations of botanicals and nature have long been a favorite. Combine them with some of my favorite literature? Yes, please!

That said…the illustrations are incidental to the story. They are not illustrations of scenes from the books. The publisher’s blurb says there are facsimiles of sheet music, family trees, etc., but the eARCs I was provided did not include these, so I cannot comment on them.

Story wise, these are as they have ever been. Pride and Prejudice is one of my “desert island” books; I can read it over and over, and not tire of it. Emma is still my least favorite of Austen’s works, and she still bugs me.

But there is a reason these classics have been made and remade as movies, whether set in their original timeframe or updated. They are charming and witty, and Austen’s observations on human nature, like Shakespeare’s, hold up to the test of time.

I definitely disagree with the publisher’s details on the reading level of these books. They are not for 7-10-year-olds, or 4th- to 6th-graders. I was a pretty advanced reader and didn’t read P&P until my sophomore year in high school. My college prep reading class struggled with the language and long sentences of these books.

If you’re looking to collect beautiful copies of favorite books, these fill the bill. I couldn’t find specific information, but I imagine them in a larger trim size, on beautiful glossy 100 lb. paper, as with our fancy editions of Tolkein or Rowling. As they will not be released for three more months, this is only speculation. However, that would definitely do Bastein’s beautiful, delicate work justice!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARCs.

Illustrated edition of Emma is as beautiful as the story itself. I didn’t feel any change made to the story. Good one to own!!

Thank you Netgalley for the arc.

I loved this new version of Emma, the same words of Jane Austen that I read a long time ago surrounded by beautiful watercolor illustrations.
.
Is the same classic book but full of colours and birds and butterflys, I think it is the perfect book for any library, a ideal gift for every fan of Austen. Divided into three parts, one more beautiful than the other
.
Thanks to #NetGalley for let me read #Emma, I really enjoyed re reading in this pretty version

Pretty illustrations but once again, not enough to make me rush off and replace my favorite Austen novel. I am not even sure the illustrations would be enough to sway me from another version to this one to be honest.

I'm happy I decided to read Emma, I had previously said I was done with Jane Austen books after a few failed attempts to enjoy her writing style or her characters. But when I saw this edition on NetGalley I knew I wanted to give it another final try, and here it is.
The illustrations are beautiful, very flowery, and work really well with the story. I agree with a previous review I saw that an edition such as this should be for collectors, but also, it is an edition I'd like to have. Beautiful!

EMMA! I love this book so much. You have a character you should hate but she's still so endearing and lovable. She can be a brat sometimes but I love how she learns and grows. Knightley is also one of my favorite Austen heroes.

I was super excited to get a sneak look at these specially illustrated editions! They are gorgeous, and truly I cannot wait to see what they look like in person. I think they will be stunning!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Emma Woodhouse, a single heiress, loves playing matchmaker, but sometimes her will of doing something good gets out of hand as she doesn't read some situations and people as well as she thinks.

This is probably one of the least loved Austen's book mainly because of the main character and I kind of get it, but at the same time, I feel like she is the strongest feature from the book, since her how emotional and psychological journey is really amazing and she goes through a lot of changes during the narrative, which is so amazing to love to see. I just love to watch character growing and becoming better people.

Her relationship with Mr. Knightley is delightful to see unfolding. They start as friends - maybe frenemies? - and then become something else entirely... The way they "adjust" themselves for each other is beautiful. The illustrations in this edition such as letters, invitations, and more were also a really interesting addition to the book.

It may not be one of the fans' favorite books, but it is one of mine for sure.

4.5/5

Behold, another edition of Emma by Jane Austen that you can add to your collection. This one is complete with gorgeous illustrations and color schemes that progress over the course of the novel. Anyone who reads this will be swept away by the familiar story inside and the wondrous drawings. There is an entirely different vibe associated with the Marjolein Bastin Classics version of Emma as opposed to Pride and Prejudice. The illustrations here are of roses, hydrangeas, and daisies, referencing the entire atmosphere and personality of Emma herself. I really think anyone who loves a good special edition will enjoy reading this version and I cannot wait to get my hands on the complete collection

Most classic lovers would have already read Jane Austen's Emma. This edition, however, isn't just for new readers but for collectors. It takes the evergreen story by Jane Austen and presents in a beautiful new packaging. The overall effect is so compelling that it will be tough to resist purchasing this book, especially as the story is unabridged and hence will retain its original appeal.

The cover itself indicates how beautiful the inner content of this book will be. Every single chapter is embellished with a distinct flower, with it appearing like a floral crown on the dropped capital of the first letter of the chapter and then randomly across the rest of the pages of that chapter. With a new chapter, the flower changes. The result is a floral extravaganza with the fragrance being provided by Jane Austen's everlasting story.
I just wish the font used would have been something other than the typical Times New Roman. I understand that the classic novels were printed using this typeface but it looks plain next to the beautiful flowers.

But it's still a gorgeous book and worth adding to your collection.

This is just the same classic story, but with beautiful illustrated additions. They didn't change anything about the story, but it would be a lovely collectors addition to your library.

Emma does not *need* illustrations to stand strong, but this volume is gorgeous. The art complements the text beautifully. This is a must read/see for fans! It is a truly lovely edition and I will be adding it to my shelf.

Some book lend themselves perfectly to multiple readings. Jane Austen’s definitely are among those, as any fan of hers will tell you. There seems to be little consensus on Emma, either readers love it, or they can’t stand the girl herself, who is self-satisfied, overindulged, privileged beyond measure, a class snob, and meddlesome to boot. Admittedly it’s rather difficult to form an attachment to her, but she is easy to laugh at for her pretentiousness. Her relationship with Harriet Smith, who is so much her inferior, is central to the plot, as Emma decides to befriend and “improve” her by educating her on the ways of the world and whom she ought properly to set her sights on for marriage to ensure a proper engagement to a man of good standing. From there, misunderstandings & misery ensue. Austen is a go-to when seeking comfort and intelligent amusement. This was my second reading but there will undoubtedly be a third once I’ve finished the rotation in order of publication.

I really enjoyed this new collectible edition of Emma with illustrations by Marjolein Bastin! The illustrations are so whimsical and elegant - including flowers, greenery, birds, and even some holiday elements. The birds are by far my favorite, but everything is so detailed and color coordinated between chapters. I think this will be so gorgeous as a coffee table book!

I adore the story of Emma, which I always give a 4.5, so these illustrations just bring the tenderness and sweetness of the story up a level!

Thank you to Andrews McMeel Publishing for a a gifted advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Oh, this book just made me so happy. A beloved classic made even more beautiful with wonderful illustration. The kid in me that love Petter Rabbit books is delight have found an adult version. This edition of Emma has gorgeous watercolors that reflect the passing of the seasons throughout the novel, even the first letter of each chapter is delightful. This is the kind of book would make a great gift.

Emma is one of my favorite books ever and this edition looks pretty in ebook, but I think it would look even better in print. Can't wait to buy it!

Thanks to Netgalley and Andrews McMeel for the advanced copy.

Being a big Jane Austen fan, I couldn't resist the chance to take a look at special illustrated editions of her novels.

Marjolein Bastin's hand gives life to the beautifully detailed illustrations adorning the novel from beginning to end and, in this case in particular, following the passing of the seasons as they do in the story.
Although very pleasing to the eye, the illustrations are mostly nature-themed: it would've been nice to see a few depictions of scenes from the book, I believe it might've added something more to the readers' experience.

That said, I believe both Emma and Pride and Prejudice remain beautiful collectible editions that must be enjoyed in paper format in order to fully appreciate them. They will be out on March 2nd, 2021.

This new collectible edition offers a beautifully crafted version of timeless Emma by Jane Austen. The illustrations by Marjolein Bastin are really neat, elegant and Spring-inspired. The roses, the flowers and the birds are all clean, elegant and so precious. I was just disappointed by the lack of illustrations for the characters. There are only just elements from nature. I would have loved to see the illustrator’s interpretation of the main protagonists, like what the French publishing house Tibert did with illustrator Margaux Motin in their very own illustrated versions of Jane Austen’s novels.

As for the actually text, well… the book is not easily readable on the Netgalley app (print size is too small and there’s no TOC to easily navigate it), so I would strongly recommend to enjoy it in paper version. In any case, it is how it is meant to be enjoyed when it comes to coffee table books. and it will be officially on sale on March 2nd, 2021.