Handsome, clever, rich
Emma by Jane Austen: An Annotated Edition
Edited by Bharat Tandon
Having read Emma a few times to date, even I would’ve thought I’d run out of things to say by now-but not so. Ever since I discovered this annotated series from Belknap Press, I’ve been snapping them up one by one: firstly, because they’re beautiful, elegantly designed books, and equally important, the editorial commentary makes it worth the while.* While I can’t, sadly, go back in time and read Emma-or any of Jane Austen’s works-like it was the very first time, reading these annotated editions makes me fall in love with them all over again.
It may sound strange to fangirl over an edited edition, but Bharat Tandon’s commentary pulls off a remarkable feat: It has a light yet erudite touch, mixing academic notes with pop culture references seamlessly. His notes never seemed intrusive or burdensome on Austen’s light, wry text; they managed to convey a wealth of information about the period, the customs, and attitudes without weighing down the story. It’s like having one of those teachers who make you feel like you’re not in a class, but learning the subject matter organically-and learn a lot I did. Bharat Tandon opened my eyes to the fact that Mrs. Elton’s family wealth made her one of the nouveau riche, but the fact that she hails from Bristol directly suggests her family benefitted from the slave trade. Another aspect I learned was why Mr. Knightley so intensely disliked Frank Churchill, beyond the fact that he was a rival for Emma’s affection: To Knightley, Frank represented a new breed of gentleman, more French than English in manners, and therefore less trustworthy. Being somewhat of a foodie, I also enjoyed the notes on the different foods of the period, with a few “recipes” included (I didn’t know ice-cream was solidly in fashion by the late 18th century!). Last but not least, Tandon mixes it up with pop culture references, with nods to modern adaptations like the 2009 BBC adaptation of Emma and Clueless. In a way, Tandon’s commentary became a story of its own, one that I was eager to read more about.
But speaking of adaptations, any post about Emma would be remiss without talking about the latest adaptation: Emma Approved! I, for one, am excited. This Emma is just as well-meaning, annoying, and self-assured as her predecessors-which makes her journey to self-understanding and humility all the better to anticipate. I like the modern day twist to make her a “lifestyle coach”; I also highly approve that we don’t have to wait a gazillion episodes for the hero to make an appearance (looking at you, Lizzie Bennet Diaries); Knightley’s already in the first one. And given that he’s the co-owner of the firm, well I have a suspicion we’ll be seeing lots of him. One word: yes.
*Well, almost all editorial commentary. I actually read the annotated edition of Pride and Prejudice earlier this year, and I found the commentary to be pedestrian, focusing too much on what words meant rather than a bigger picture of the times. Not sure if I'll get around to a review at this point!
Edited by Bharat Tandon
Having read Emma a few times to date, even I would’ve thought I’d run out of things to say by now-but not so. Ever since I discovered this annotated series from Belknap Press, I’ve been snapping them up one by one: firstly, because they’re beautiful, elegantly designed books, and equally important, the editorial commentary makes it worth the while.* While I can’t, sadly, go back in time and read Emma-or any of Jane Austen’s works-like it was the very first time, reading these annotated editions makes me fall in love with them all over again.
It may sound strange to fangirl over an edited edition, but Bharat Tandon’s commentary pulls off a remarkable feat: It has a light yet erudite touch, mixing academic notes with pop culture references seamlessly. His notes never seemed intrusive or burdensome on Austen’s light, wry text; they managed to convey a wealth of information about the period, the customs, and attitudes without weighing down the story. It’s like having one of those teachers who make you feel like you’re not in a class, but learning the subject matter organically-and learn a lot I did. Bharat Tandon opened my eyes to the fact that Mrs. Elton’s family wealth made her one of the nouveau riche, but the fact that she hails from Bristol directly suggests her family benefitted from the slave trade. Another aspect I learned was why Mr. Knightley so intensely disliked Frank Churchill, beyond the fact that he was a rival for Emma’s affection: To Knightley, Frank represented a new breed of gentleman, more French than English in manners, and therefore less trustworthy. Being somewhat of a foodie, I also enjoyed the notes on the different foods of the period, with a few “recipes” included (I didn’t know ice-cream was solidly in fashion by the late 18th century!). Last but not least, Tandon mixes it up with pop culture references, with nods to modern adaptations like the 2009 BBC adaptation of Emma and Clueless. In a way, Tandon’s commentary became a story of its own, one that I was eager to read more about.
But speaking of adaptations, any post about Emma would be remiss without talking about the latest adaptation: Emma Approved! I, for one, am excited. This Emma is just as well-meaning, annoying, and self-assured as her predecessors-which makes her journey to self-understanding and humility all the better to anticipate. I like the modern day twist to make her a “lifestyle coach”; I also highly approve that we don’t have to wait a gazillion episodes for the hero to make an appearance (looking at you, Lizzie Bennet Diaries); Knightley’s already in the first one. And given that he’s the co-owner of the firm, well I have a suspicion we’ll be seeing lots of him. One word: yes.
Click to view*Well, almost all editorial commentary. I actually read the annotated edition of Pride and Prejudice earlier this year, and I found the commentary to be pedestrian, focusing too much on what words meant rather than a bigger picture of the times. Not sure if I'll get around to a review at this point!