Bestselling author J.K. Rowling’s work has captivated millions with the Harry Potter series, creating a world filled with magic, adventure, and timeless themes of friendship, love, and morality.
But when it comes to her own favorite books, the British writer has a clear favorite – one that doesn’t involve wizards or any fantastical creatures whatsoever.
Rowling has often spoken about her deep love of literature, revealing the books that have shaped her as both a reader and a writer. She has mentioned several classics over the years, but one novel stands above the rest in her opinion: Emma by Jane Austen.
Published in 1815, Emma follows the life of Emma Woodhouse, a wealthy young woman who considers herself an expert matchmaker. Confident in her ability to orchestrate love stories, she meddles in the romantic lives of those around her – often with unintended and sometimes disastrous consequences.
The novel is a sharp, humorous, and insightful look at human nature, as Emma gradually learns the limits of her own knowledge and the importance of self-awareness.
Rowling has long admired Austen’s work. In an interview on Oprah.com, she explained why Austen’s writing is so extraordinary: “You’re drawn into the story, and you come out the other end, and you know you’ve seen something great in action. But you can’t see the pyrotechnics; there’s nothing flashy.”
Austen’s ability to craft complex characters and relationships is one of the many reasons Emma has remained so beloved. The novel’s central romance, between Emma and the kind but perceptive Mr. Knightley, unfolds gradually, with Austen expertly weaving moments of humor, misjudgment, and self-discovery throughout.
Readers witness Emma’s transformation from a well-meaning but misguided young woman into someone more self-aware, humble, and capable of true love.
Both Austen and Rowling excel at building richly detailed social worlds, where relationships and personal growth take center stage. Like Emma, Rowling’s Harry Potter series is filled with characters who learn and evolve over time, often through their mistakes and misinterpretations of others.
Beyond her love for Emma, Rowling has expressed admiration for Austen’s entire body of work. “I’ve read all her books so many times I’ve lost count,” she told Amazon. But Emma remains her favorite, a novel she has returned to “at least 20 times”, reported the Sunday Herald.
Rowling isn’t alone in her appreciation for Austen. Emma has been widely praised since its publication, with literary scholars and readers alike recognizing it as one of Austen’s greatest achievements. It has been adapted into numerous films and television series, most recently in 2020, in a movie starring Anya Taylor-Joy.