Reviews

I don't know if I've hated a character quite as much as I do Madame Bovary. Irresponsible, childish, unaccountable, and a whole bunch of synonyms sum up this woman. Because of her lack of propriety, everyone around her suffered. From her desperate want of escape from her farm life, she finds herself placed in an unhappy marriage and then she reflects how much happier she was back in her farm life days. She can't make up her mind and then she finds herself in a love affair and then another. Her husband doesn't even notice. He's that oblivious to her. Even when she's all sick and looks sick and everyone tells him she's sick, he believes her to be fine. Goes to show how well he knows her. The drama later in part III when Madame Bovary has to pay off her debts was probably the most interesting part. I was constantly wondering if she would finally take responsibility. But of course, she commits suicide and lets her husband and daughter take her burden. Really. I can't stand her. The book was less annoying than the character as a whole.

angelaonmars's review against another edition

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sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? No

3.5

klacebo's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

kitkat962's review

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4.0

I saw the review beforehand, and people hate Emma. Flaubert did not create her to be loveable, sure, but I empathized with her, as I, too, have the same tendency to mull over the past and fear of a mundane life. Her struggle to find a thrilling lifestyle is not condemnable, just her way of doing it through affair and fantasy, and overall negligence of her family, which ultimately leads to her downfall.
I read the English translation, and personally, it is a nice read with some phrases left untranslated. Hope to read again, when my French is much better

kimvanness's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm not sure how I got through sixteen years of formal education without being forced to read this book, but it was the best used-book-store $2.50 I've ever spent. Unexpectedly engaging, sublimely disturbing -- especially when you realize how applicable its themes still are today.

mccobrien's review

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sad

4.25

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