After reading Pamela Aidan's An Assembly Such As This, mirroring the events of Pride and Prejudice from Darcy's perspective, I must admit that the thought of another Austen narrative reversal didn't exactly thrill me! However, this take on Emma, my favourite Jane Austen novel, has two positive recommendations - Barbara Cornthwaite's faithful adherence to the original story, and the chance to read more about honest, practical and dependable George Knightley, Esquire!

As with most 'parallel novels', not a lot happens in terms of plot - 'Book One' finishes midway through Emma, with Frank Churchill's return to Enscombe and Emma's disappointment over the cancelled ball. Yet Mrs Cornthwaite adds plenty of fresh scenes and new characters, filling in the blanks whenever Mr Knightley is absent from Emma's narrative, which was my hope. Knightley comes across as intelligent, regularly quoting from literature and advising others, caring for his friends and neighbours, and content to live in quiet authority at Donwell. His agent William Larkins is fleshed out as a droll gossip, keeping his employer up to date with village news, and other inhabitants of Donwell parish are introduced as well - shy and retiring Philip Spencer, the new curate, and wise old Dr Hughes, Knightley's philosophical friend. As in Austen's novel, Knightley spends most of his time going over accounts with Larkins in the library, visiting tenants, administering justice and advice as the local magistrate, and visiting Hartfield, but the dialogue is so very well written - and sympathetic to Austen's formal style - that Cornthwaite's additions are like reading 'between the lines' in Emma, learning more about familiar characters. Of course, I was already in love with Mr Knightley, so even a fictional publication of the Donwell accounts would have held my interest, but Barbara Cornthwaite adds so much more to the original, offering personal introspection and contrasting perspectives. The scene at the Coles, with Emma watching Mr Knightley for signs of his feelings towards Jane Fairfax, is reversed when Knightley, realising his love for Emma, spends all evening staring daggers at Frank Churchill for monopolising her company! These teasing twists on Austen's novel more than make up for the usual repetition of original dialogue interspersed with different perspectives.

"Then what do you dream of?"

You. The thought came unexpectedly, inexplicably.

Of course, what every reader of Emma must be waiting for is Mr Knightley's growing affection for Emma, changing over the course of a dance from friendship to love, and Barbara Cornthwaite more than does justice to his feelings. I ached for him at the Coles' party, and Emma's perceived indifference is maddening! His pure, unconscious adoration of her, from her hazel eyes to the power of her smile, and his devotion to her happiness, makes Mr Knightley one of my favourite literary heroes, and Barbara Cornthwaite seems to revel in their attraction to each other just as much as I do.

No sequel, prequel or continuation written today could ever match up to Jane Austen's enduring talent, but when authors like Barbara Cornthwaite indulge in the pleasure and romance of Austen's characters - and do it well - the result is a guilty pleasure for readers like me! ( )

An expert writer with the ability to write flawlessly in the style of Regency era authors, Barbara has taken Jane Austen’s Emma and written the story from a new perspective– that of George Knightley. One of the most beloved of Austen’s heroes, the esteemed Mr. Knightley is best described in Emma’s words to Harriet when discussing the qualities of under-appreciated Mr. Martin, “You might not see one in a hundred with gentleman so plainly written as in Mr. Knightley.” While Emma may have been wrong about the poor farmer, her recognition of Mr. Knightley’s excellent character and manners is spot on.

This book is the first of Barbara’s expansion of the beloved story of Emma Woodhouse. All of my favorite characters are faithfully rendered while giving me a bit of insight from other points of view, primarily Mr. Knightley’s. Minor characters come to the forefront and I became caught up in their lives as well. I didn’t read a single line that said, “Wait, that wouldn’t have happened!” Which, in my opinion, is quite impressive. The author gave me a glimpse of Emma from her perspective without removing Austen’s . That seems to me to be a very difficult thing to achieve.

If you’ve read any of my reviews, you know that I am very nit-picky, but I truly only have one complaint about this book. I’m very sorry to say that with all of its perfections, it has one very glaring flaw. I feel badly for mentioning it, but I don’t think it would be an honest review without telling my major (and one) disappointment. The book ends before the story does– and book two isn’t written yet! This is appalling, and I think the author needs to rectify the situation forthwith!

Truly, if you are an Austenophile, buy the book. Do not go past the checkbook, do not look and see that it only has $200.00. Just buy it, wrap it for yourself, and enjoy on Christmas morning. I would tell you not to wait until then to dive into its wonderful depths, but the longer you put off reading it, the shorter the wait for the next book. Make sure you have plenty of hot chocolate, ‘biscuits’, and of course, strawberries.