Emma is a comic novel by Jane Austen, first published in December 1815, about the perils of misconstrued romance. The main character, Emma Woodhouse, is described in the opening paragraph as "e,handsome, clever, and rich"e, but is also rather spoiled. Prior to starting the novel, Austen wrote, "e,I am going to take a heroine whom no-one but myself will much like."e,