In 'Madame Bovary,' Gustave Flaubert tells the poignant story of Emma Bovary, a woman trapped in the mundane reality of provincial life. Yearning for romance and excitement, she becomes embroiled in a series of ill-fated affairs that lead to tragedy. With each fleeting passion, Emma's disillusionment deepens, revealing the stark contrast between her dreams and reality. Flaubert's masterful prose captures the essence of desire, desperation, and the pursuit of happiness. Will Emma ever find the fulfillment she seeks, or is she destined for despair?
By Gustave Flaubert
Published: 2014
""She was not made for the world she lived in, and the world was not made for her.""
Madame Bovary (1856) is the French writer Gustave Flaubert's debut novel. The story focuses on a doctor's wife, Emma Bovary, who has adulterous affairs and lives beyond her means in order to escape the banalities and emptiness of provincial life. Though the basic plot is rather simple, even archetypal, the novel's true art lies in its details and hidden patterns. Flaubert was a notorious perfectionist and claimed always to be searching for le mot juste ("the precise word").When it was first serialized in La Revue de Paris between 1 October 1856 and 15 December 1856, the novel was attacked for obscenity by public prosecutors. The resulting trial, held in January 1857, made the story notorious. After Flaubert's acquittal on 7 February 1857, Madame Bovary became a bestseller when it was published as a single volume in April 1857. The novel is now considered Flaubert's masterpiece, as well as a seminal work of realism and one of the most influential novels ever written. In fact, the notable British-American critic James Wood writes in How Fiction Works: "Flaubert established for good or ill, what most readers think of as modern realist narration, and his influence is almost too familiar to be visible".
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“"She was not made for the world she lived in, and the world was not made for her."”
Madame Bovary
By Gustave Flaubert
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) was a prominent French novelist and one of the most influential literary figures of the 19th century. He is best known for his masterpiece 'Madame Bovary', a groundbreaking novel that explores themes of desire, disillusionment, and the constraints of bourgeois society. Flaubert's meticulous writing style, characterized by his pursuit of linguistic precision and the use of 'le mot juste' (the right word), set new standards in narrative form and realism. Other notable works include 'Salammbo', 'Sentimental Education', and 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony'. His profound impact on literature continues to be felt, influencing generations of writers with his dedication to artistic integrity and depth of character.
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In 'Madame Bovary,' Gustave Flaubert tells the poignant story of Emma Bovary, a woman trapped in the mundane reality of provincial life. Yearning for romance and excitement, she becomes embroiled in a series of ill-fated affairs that lead to tragedy. With each fleeting passion, Emma's disillusionment deepens, revealing the stark contrast between her dreams and reality. Flaubert's masterful prose captures the essence of desire, desperation, and the pursuit of happiness. Will Emma ever find the fulfillment she seeks, or is she destined for despair?
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