Reviews and information pertaining to various sequels and literary allusions to Emma.

Emma Sequels & Allusions: Poor Emma, 1988 - Review by Mary M. Stolzenbach

By Reginald Hill (From his compilation, There Are No Ghosts in the Soviet Union)
Published by Countryman Press
ISBN: 0881501190
44 Pages
Buy There Are No Ghosts in the Soviet Union

"Emma Knightley, handsome, clever, and rich, with a comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly forty-one years in the world with little to distress or vex her."

"Except her husband."

Our heroine has not lost her taste for making plans and projects, in fact here she brings more of them to fruition than in Jane Austen's novel. Nor has she lost her talent for coming off with the best of things, for being mistress of all she surveys. However, people around her suffer for it. After all, Reginald Hill is a crime novelist.

Reginald Hill has a good enough command of the Austen manner for this pastiche, but of course his matter may offend; the friend I shared this tale with was absolutely outraged. No, this is not the Emma we know and love... but who can say what changes marriage may bring to any person? Perhaps unfortunate changes? Indeed, poor Emma!

- Review thanks to Mary M. Stolzenbach