charming at the same time. Her elder sister was not terribly remarkable in most ways and Emma apparently was her superior in intellect, personality, perhaps looks, although I can't be sure of that. Emma had the misfortune of losing her mother at an earlier age than her sister. I think it is natural that the entire family and friends would have indulged Emma. And I agree that she was very smart -- certainly outshining her father and sister in that department alone. But, as Mr Knightly points out, she seems to have no staying power in terms of her interests -- making lists of books, no matter how impressive, that one never reads is not IMO an indication that the author of the list is a candidate for MENSA. Had she read the books and discussed them with Mr Knightly, that would be a different matter!