George Knightley is the owner of a considerable estate, a landlord, a magistrate, and a bachelor-a state that his brother John is perpetually prodding him to change. Thankfully, there is no one remotely suitable in his entire circle of acquaintance...or so he thinks. An unwanted interloper, a few romantic mishaps amongst his friends, and the dawning realization that Emma Woodhouse is no longer a child might just change everything. In the tradition of fellow Crownhill Writers Pamela Aidan (Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman) and Susan Kaye (Fredrick Wentworth, Captain), Barbara Cornthwaite has written a retelling of one of Jane Austen's novels from the hero's point of view. Carefully researched and skillfully written, George Knightley, Esquire tells the other side of Emma's story.
George Knightley, Esquire, Book One: Charity Envieth Not
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
George Knightley, wealthy, mature, and compassionate, seemed to be a very successful member of the landed gentry of Highbury; and had lived in the world for nearly thirty-seven years with little to disrupt his peaceful and quiet existence. That is until he realizes that his little sister-in-law Emma Woodhouse, is no longer a little girl but a lovely young woman whom he greatly cares for...
Are you inclined to learn more about this admirable and benevolent gentleman? Would you like to gain a greater understanding of his thoughts and feelings?
Author Barbara Cornthwaite delivers a pleasing and absorbing augmentation of Jane Austen's "Emma," told from the perspective of Mr. Knightley, in her wonderful series "George Knightley, Esquire!" This novel, the first of two, begins just as "Emma" did with the Weston's nuptials and closes with Frank Churchill's departure from Highbury. So be prepared to not have a completed story at the end of this book and to have an intense desire to obtain book two right away!
I love retellings of Jane Austen novels and to read one where one of my favorite Austen heroes is respectfully and accurately portrayed filled me with sheer delight! I took great pleasure in reading about Mr. Knightley's interactions with his household and various members of Highbury, especially the new characters Ms. Cornthwaite skillfully crafted. In addition, I loved being privy to Mr. Knightley's speculations about the Emma/Harriet/Elton dilemma and comprehending his predisposed dislike and prejudice towards Frank Churchill. But what I enjoyed most about this book was spending more time with Mr. Knightley! (What Austen fan wouldn't want to do that?)
While I am pleased that the author interwove parts of "Emma" with her novel and did NOT take license to alter or paraphrase Jane Austen's original dialogue, I did, however, observe that some of Mr. Knightley's speeches were shortened a little. Mr. Knightley does make many great speeches in "Emma," and most of the content of these speeches can be found in Barbara Cornthwaite's retelling. There are just a few incidents where she omits a part of his speech and summarizes what he says using "he explained..." or "he told..." Some of my favorite Mr. Knightley quotes are "Vanity working on a weak head produces every sort of mischief" and "Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives." I was a little disappointed that these quotes were not fully included.
Barbara Cornthwaite's George Knightley, Esquire Series is sure to delight and satisfy admirers of Pamela Aiden's Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman Trilogy and Susan Kaye's Frederick Wentworth, Captain Series. I am so grateful for writers, like Barbara Cornthwaite, for giving us a closer look into the lives of these Austen men!!
Austenesque Reviews
Are you inclined to learn more about this admirable and benevolent gentleman? Would you like to gain a greater understanding of his thoughts and feelings?
Author Barbara Cornthwaite delivers a pleasing and absorbing augmentation of Jane Austen's "Emma," told from the perspective of Mr. Knightley, in her wonderful series "George Knightley, Esquire!" This novel, the first of two, begins just as "Emma" did with the Weston's nuptials and closes with Frank Churchill's departure from Highbury. So be prepared to not have a completed story at the end of this book and to have an intense desire to obtain book two right away!
I love retellings of Jane Austen novels and to read one where one of my favorite Austen heroes is respectfully and accurately portrayed filled me with sheer delight! I took great pleasure in reading about Mr. Knightley's interactions with his household and various members of Highbury, especially the new characters Ms. Cornthwaite skillfully crafted. In addition, I loved being privy to Mr. Knightley's speculations about the Emma/Harriet/Elton dilemma and comprehending his predisposed dislike and prejudice towards Frank Churchill. But what I enjoyed most about this book was spending more time with Mr. Knightley! (What Austen fan wouldn't want to do that?)
While I am pleased that the author interwove parts of "Emma" with her novel and did NOT take license to alter or paraphrase Jane Austen's original dialogue, I did, however, observe that some of Mr. Knightley's speeches were shortened a little. Mr. Knightley does make many great speeches in "Emma," and most of the content of these speeches can be found in Barbara Cornthwaite's retelling. There are just a few incidents where she omits a part of his speech and summarizes what he says using "he explained..." or "he told..." Some of my favorite Mr. Knightley quotes are "Vanity working on a weak head produces every sort of mischief" and "Men of sense, whatever you may choose to say, do not want silly wives." I was a little disappointed that these quotes were not fully included.
Barbara Cornthwaite's George Knightley, Esquire Series is sure to delight and satisfy admirers of Pamela Aiden's Fitzwilliam Darcy, Gentleman Trilogy and Susan Kaye's Frederick Wentworth, Captain Series. I am so grateful for writers, like Barbara Cornthwaite, for giving us a closer look into the lives of these Austen men!!
Austenesque Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By C. Lawyer
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Emma is my favorite Jane Austin novel. I have read it so many times that my binding is ruined, I have spilled things on the front cover, and the ribbon book mark is frayed all the way to the top! I enjoy reading Austen "fan fiction" and have read (or in some cases skipped through) many of them. When I saw this book I had to buy it, simply because Mr. Knightley is my favorite Austen hero. I am SO glad I did. This book is by far the best "fan fiction" book I have ever read. Barbara Cornthwaite did a fabulous job. I truly have not a single complaint. My love for Mr. Knightley only grew with reading this book. I kept putting it down simply because I didn't want it to end! All of my favorite characters are so true to form, and Ms. Cornthwaite added to them so flawlessly. It's like when a movie is made out of your favorite book, and you sit and watch, all the time thinking, "Oh that didn't happen, they did that wrong, he never would have acted in that way...." and so on. I had not ONE complaint like that about this book. It was truly astonishing. Now, unfortunately, I am waiting for book 2. I hope my wait will not be long. Ms. Cornthwaite, if you are reading this review, please consider writing a continuation of the story. I believe no one could do it better than you, and I for one would buy it instantly without a second thought!
If you have read and loved Emma (even if you are obsessed with the story as I am) buy this book. You will not regret a single moment for the time spent reading it, or the money spent buying it!
If you have read and loved Emma (even if you are obsessed with the story as I am) buy this book. You will not regret a single moment for the time spent reading it, or the money spent buying it!
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Chautona
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have the privilege of reviewing this book for Barbara Cornthwaite. An expert writer with the ability to write flawlesly 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 underappreciated 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.
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.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Austen like in composition
And I love Jane Austen! However I do feel there should have been more...is there a sequel? I hope for one since the o my thing missing in this book is a great finish!
Published 1 month ago by Tx-N
4.0 out of 5 stars
George Knightley
It was very nice reading once you got absorbed in the plot. The suspenseful romance kept you wondering. I would recommend this author.
Published 2 months ago by Vicky/
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent!
Absolutely loving this book!
Emma is one of my favorite Austen reads and it is wonderful to read the story from Knightley's perspective. Read more
Emma is one of my favorite Austen reads and it is wonderful to read the story from Knightley's perspective. Read more
Published 2 months ago by monkee
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story from Knightleys viewpoint
Well written story from Knightleys point of view with good characters and plot that follows Austen but is original too
Published 4 months ago by B. Campbell
5.0 out of 5 stars
My eyes were glued to the page
The development of secondary characters made reading this book a rich experience. John Knightley, William Larkins, Dr. Hughes, and many more take on new, full lives. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Laura
3.0 out of 5 stars
The book was ok
The story is based upon a man's side of the story. He feels attached to a girl at first as a friend, but then he decides that he loves her. Read more
Published 5 months ago by zarafa
5.0 out of 5 stars
True to the original.
Within reading the first few chapters of this book, I knew I would have to read the sequel. This re-telling of "Emma" from Knightley's point of view is intelligent, witty, well... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Krysia
5.0 out of 5 stars
A worthy Austen re-telling
I can't add much to what other reviewers have stated. However, I wanted to add my rating to the mix as this book series deserves some praise. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Heather Sorrell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful retelling of Emma
I love Jane Austen and am a bit addicted to retellings of her wonderful books. I love getting to enjoy my favorite novels over again through the many books out there today. Read more
Published 12 months ago by AnneB
3.0 out of 5 stars
Follows Jane Austen's book "Emma", but too long
I was eagerly anticipating reading this book which is essentially George Knightly's side of the story of Jane Austen's Emma. I was disappointed. Read more
Published 12 months ago by kindlefan
