Emma Recap Six
"It darted through her with the speed of an arrow that Mr. Knightley must marry no one but herself!"
In our latest podcast episode, we reach the thrilling conclusion of Jane Austen's timeless classic, Emma. Secrets are finally exposed, relationships transform, and characters face decisions that will forever change their lives.
Join us as we dissect the whirlwind of emotions in Highbury, where affections shift unexpectedly, surprise engagements leave everyone stunned, and the intricate web that binds the community together is revealed.
Grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let's finish Emma together! Listen now and discover why this novel remains a beloved favorite among readers and why its themes continue to resonate with us today.
Meet Austen Scholar, Devoney Looser!
Novel Pairings is hosting a special event featuring Professor Devoney Looser on Wednesday, April 23rd. She will share her scholarly insights on Emma, as well as discuss Austen's life, family, and legacy during this engaging lecture.
is a Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University, specializing in Jane Austen studies and women’s literary history. Born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she earned her PhD from Stony Brook University (1993). Her research focuses on British literature, feminist studies, and recovering marginalized women writers.
Looser has authored or edited several books, including The Making of Jane Austen (2017) and Sister Novelists (2022). She is a Guggenheim Fellow and NEH Public Scholar, known for her engaging public scholarship and her roller derby persona "Stone Cold Jane Austen.”
Her newest book, Wild for Austen, comes out on September 2nd, 2025.
In preparation and anticipation of our event, take a moment to explore some of Professor Looser's notable books and articles.
The Making of Jane Austen (Johns Hopkins University Press)
Sister Novelists (Bloomsbury Publishing)
British Women Writers and the Writing of History, 1670-1820 (Johns Hopkins University Press)
Women Writers and Old Age in Great Britain, 1750-1850 (Johns Hopkins University Press)
Generations: Academic Feminists in Dialogue (University of Minnesota Press)
Counterpoise (Substack)
Patreon Happenings
We have even more Austen content for our Patreon community, including Footnotes Episodes, Classes, and Book Club Discussions.
Every Friday throughout this season, we’ve released bonus episodes called "Footnotes" exclusively on Patreon. These episodes enrich our discussions, offering an additional layer of insight into the world of Emma.
Literature Scholars also have access to these upcoming events:
April 23: Special Guest Lecture (recorded) with Austen Scholar Devoney Looser @ 7 pm on Zoom
Professor Devoney Looser joins us to reveal scholarly insights on Emma, Austen’s life and family, and her legacy in this very special lecture. Check out her Substack newsletter and upcoming book for a preview of what’s in store for our patrons.
April 30: Book Club Discussion on all of Emma @ 7 pm EST on Zoom
Join our Patreon community to get the most out of your readalong experience and explore our content before we move to a new storefront! (Stay tuned for details.)
As a reminder…This is our final season of Novel Pairings. We’re still sad to close the book on this passion project, but we are grateful for every listener who joined us to make classic literature readable, relevant, and fun. If you missed this announcement, you can catch up with this video explaining our decision.
We’ll be back on the main feed in just a few weeks with some final reflections. Until then, we declare after all, there is no enjoyment like reading. How much sooner one tires of anything than of a book!
Thank you for supporting the podcast and our work to make public scholarship fun and accessible. If you would like to stay connected to what’s happening at Novel Pairings, make sure to subscribe to this Substack and follow us on Instagram. Make sure you never miss an episode by subscribing to the show wherever you get your podcasts. And if you love the work we’re doing, please consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts!