Join our EMMA readalong this spring!
Recap episodes are FREE on the main podcast feed, and we can't wait to celebrate Jane Austen with everyone.
Over the last few years, we’ve guided our Patreon community through slow readalong experiences with Middlemarch, The Lonesome Dove, The Odyssey, The Custom of the Country, and Les Miserables. These readalongs have become our favorite part of podcasting and sharing classic literature with all of you, and we want to share the fun with a wider audience! This spring, we are reading Emma and publishing recap episodes on the public podcast feed, free for all listeners. We hope you will join us for this immersive season as we discuss each section with nerdy delight.
We begin today with an introduction to Emma. Over the next two months, we'll delve into this beloved novel through six episodes, exploring its enduring themes and characters. Whether you're a devoted Austen enthusiast or just beginning to explore her works, we would love for you to join us on this literary journey.
Recap Schedule
Dates indicate when the recap episode airs, so if you want to keep up and avoid spoilers, you will read each section by that date. Of course you can also read at your own pace and join in whenever you want! We always have asynchronous readers in our group, and we’re excited to have you at any time.
March 4: Introduction
March 11: Volume 1, 1-9 or Chapters 1-9
March 18: Volume 1, 10-18 or Chapters 10-18
March 25: Volume 2, 1-8 or Chapters 19-26
April 1: Volume 2, 9-18 or Chapters 27-36
April 8: Volume 3, 1-10 or Chapters 37-46
April 15: Volume 3, 11-19 or Chapters 47-End
Which version should I read?
Our most frequently asked question when we start a new book: which version should I read? Our answer is always whichever version is most accessible for you! But here are links to a few editions that might suit your fancy. We both read the annotated version for the recaps, but we don't necessarily recommend it to everyone—you will hear more about why in the introduction episode.
Patreon Happenings
We have even more Austen content for our Patreon community, including Footnotes Episodes, Classes, and Book Club Discussions.
Every Friday throughout this Austen spring, we'll release bonus episodes called "Footnotes" exclusively on Patreon. These episodes will enrich our discussions, offering an additional layer of insight into the world of Emma.
Literature Scholars also have access to the following events:
March 12: Point of View Lecture (recorded) @ 7 pm EST on Zoom
In this conversational and informative lecture, Chelsey and Sara will take you on a deep dive into Point of View and its function in fiction. We will go beyond defining “first person, third person” etc. to examine how Austen’s free indirect discourse shapes her stories, as well as how POV has impacted contemporary literature.
March 26: Book Club Discussion on the first half of Emma @ 7 pm EST on Zoom
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!
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.
To close, here are a few links to click through if you can’t get enough of Jane Austen:
Jane Austen’s Many Literary Afterlives: A Reading List (Lit Hub)
Episode 1: Emma by Jane Austen and our favorite modern romantic heroines (Novel Pairings)
The cutest Jane Austen merch collection (Pippi Post)
On Jane Austen and The Lovable Unlikability of Emma Woodhouse (Lit Hub)
We’ll be back on the main feed with the first Emma recap next week! 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!