Review: Emmeline by Sarah Holman

Emmeline

by Sarah Holman

In the year 1930, Emmeline Wellington knows of the rumors of the Great Depression, yet she refuses to believe that it is actually happening. The daughter of a car dealership owner, money has never been an issue in her life. She leads a comfortable life in high society. When she meets a young German woman named Catarina, whom works at the canning factory owned by Emmeline’s neighbor Mr. Knight, Emmeline sets out to help the young woman adapt to life in high society. Through lessons on speech and etiquette, new dresses for parties, Emmeline is sure that Catarina will be the perfect match for a wealthy man. Yet her lifelong neighbor and dearest friend Fredrick Knight disapproves of Emmeline’s matchmaking. Will she prove him wrong, or will she only cause heartache for her friends?

 This was a neat book! It has those elements of humor like Emma, and the premise of the story sticks pretty true to Austen’s classic, only set in 1930’s America. Miss Wellington was very similar to Miss Woodhouse in that she thought she knew what was best for everyone. While her intentions were mostly (keyword mostly!) good, she often went about things the wrong way. I like that the author modeled her characters after those in Emma. Emmeline is conceited and in need of direction, Mr. Wellington has a nervous disposition, Mr. Knight is wise, and Catarina is naïve. It all fits pretty well with the original.

All in all, Emmeline is a neat retelling of Jane Austen’s classic, Emma. Not only will fans of the original 19^th century story enjoy this novel, but Christian historical fans will enjoy the message and the 1930s setting.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I received a review copy of Emmeline, though the opinions in this review are my own.