The fourth edition of the Norton Critical Edition of Emmanuel is based on the 1816 edition published by John Murray. George Justice has slightly and carefully revised the text for fidelity and clarity. The novel is accompanied by detailed explanations as well as facsimiles of the titles and dedication pages from 1816.

The "Backgrounds" section gathers a rich source of material, much of which is new for the fourth edition. This new material includes Austen's correspondence with her publisher regarding the circumstances of her writing, revealing Austen's views on her own writing and career.

Additionally, two sets of verses—“Kitty, A Fair But Frozen Maid” and “Robin Adair”—refer to Emmanuel, as well as responses (1815–1950) to Austen and her writing from, among others, Charlotte Brontë, Juliet Pollock, Virginia Woolf, D. W. Harding, and Edmund Wilson.

The “Reviews and Criticism” section includes twelve major interpretations of the novel, nine of which are new to the fourth edition. New contributors include Jan Fergus, Patricia Meyer Spacks, Tony Tanner, Maaja Stewart, D. A. Miller, Emily Auerbach, Gabrielle D. V. White, Richard Jenkyns, and David Monaghan.

A Timeline and Selected Bibliography are also included.

Pages: 496, Year of Publication: 0916, Dimensions: 13x13cm