Book Review: “Emmeline” by Sarah Holman

 

 

“Emmeline” by Sarah Holman

Part of the Vintage Jane Austen Retellings

 

About the Book:

 

What if Jane Austen’s Emma lived in America in the year 1930?

The talk of stock market crashes and depression isn’t going to keep Emmeline Wellington down. Born to wealth and privilege, Emmeline wants nothing more than to help her new friend, Catarina, find a husband. Emmeline sets her sights on one of the town’s most eligible bachelors, but nothing seems to go right. Even her friend and neighbor Fredrick Knight seems to question her at every turn.

Will she help Catarina find the man of her dreams? Why is her father acting so strangely? Will the downturn affect her life, despite her best efforts?

 

 

 

My Review:     //4 out of 5 Stars//

 

This idea of a Jane Austen retelling collection is brilliant, and so when the chance to read/review “Emmeline” (Sarah Holman’s retelling) came up, I jumped! Back when Miss Holman opened up the writing contest for this collection I had planned on entering myself, and had even started writing, but it wasn’t to be – I wasn’t able to finish it. Ah well. At least I can enjoy reading those who did enter!
I have not read the original of “Emma”, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this retelling. I understand that it is very close to the original, so I don’t feel like I was missing anything to understand.
“Emmeline” is remarkably well-written. I think this might be the best yet of Miss Holman’s writing; it flowed so smoothly and read just effortlessly.
I admit I had a bit of a hard time with Emmeline sometimes, because of her character, but I really loved her turn-around at the end, and despite her flaws she was still a like-able character. And Frederick Knight was fantastic! I really enjoyed his character, and how he handled Emmeline was great. I loved his “scoldings”, too, as they were done out of love.
The Christian message was very well done and tied together beautifully at the end.
The whole story was a very good one, and I was really impressed with it. There was a bit at the end that maybe seemed a little rushed, but didn’t hamper the enjoying of it at all.

Good story! Can’t wait to read the rest. :)

 

*I received a complimentary ecopy for review.