Emma

"Beautiful, clever, and wealthy, with a cozy home and a happy disposition, Emma Woodhouse seemed to be blessed with some of the most delightful virtues of existence..." With these words, Jane Austen begins her fifth novel, and after this introduction and the described virtues of the heroine, one would not expect any major conflicts for Emma. If it weren't for that little word "seemed." For due to the carefree circumstances of her life and the overly indulgent upbringing by her father and governess, Emma believes she can play fate for those around her. Only one dares to criticize her actions: Mr. Knightley, a family friend who has known Emma since childhood.

Of course, her matchmaking efforts do not have the desired success, but instead lead to unwanted marriage proposals on one side and broken hearts on the other. Emma is not even capable of reading her own heart. She considers herself immune to love, yet she has long since lost her heart. Only when everything seems too late does she recognize her own imperfections, as well as her true feelings.

The BBC adapted "Emma" in 1996 with Kate Beckinsale in the title role. Unfortunately, this adaptation has so far been overshadowed by the Hollywood version starring Gwyneth Paltrow. However, the BBC version is absolutely worthy of comparison and is highly sought after among Jane Austen fans. Finally, the BBC version is now available in German on DVD.