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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
Oh dear, so glad I didn't live in 19th C provincial France. I have to say I struggled with the general unlikeability of the characters - Emma, Charles, and all the rest nobody really came out of it well. But I am glad I read it. it is well written, all the plot develops out of the characters personalities, are all wholly believable in that context. Its an object lesson in producing well drawn characters although the 19th taste for verbiage makes it a little chewy at points.
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.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did not dislike this book. Nor did I like it. It's a fascinating discussion on fate and the human condition. One must choose to be happy
Another sampling of classic literature, this time with the French!
I enjoyed this one a lot. The characters were much more nuanced than those of Great Expectations, and there was a flavor of psychological exploration similar to Dostoevesky's works. The writing is also superb - Flaubert believed in the principle "le mot juste" (the right word) and I think he nails it here. His wordplay evokes very specific images or feelings, and I feel he understands when to apply this precision without overwhelming the reader.
What really enhanced my experience was the historical context included in my edition. Madame Bovary was very controversial for its supposed lack of moral condemnation and "lascivious" detailing - at the time of publishing, Flaubert was even put on trial for allegedly causing moral outrage. I read through the transcript of the prosecution's speech, and was amazed by how much impact this book seemed to have had. The contexts also caused me to reflect on the idea of whether art should be subject to any rules. Not sure where I stand on that yet.
This book helped ground my understanding of different literary styles, at least among the books I've read. Flaubert is considered a pioneer in literary realism, and I think Madame Bovary definitely supports that case. I'm very much looking forward to reading more of his works.
I enjoyed this one a lot. The characters were much more nuanced than those of Great Expectations, and there was a flavor of psychological exploration similar to Dostoevesky's works. The writing is also superb - Flaubert believed in the principle "le mot juste" (the right word) and I think he nails it here. His wordplay evokes very specific images or feelings, and I feel he understands when to apply this precision without overwhelming the reader.
What really enhanced my experience was the historical context included in my edition. Madame Bovary was very controversial for its supposed lack of moral condemnation and "lascivious" detailing - at the time of publishing, Flaubert was even put on trial for allegedly causing moral outrage. I read through the transcript of the prosecution's speech, and was amazed by how much impact this book seemed to have had. The contexts also caused me to reflect on the idea of whether art should be subject to any rules. Not sure where I stand on that yet.
This book helped ground my understanding of different literary styles, at least among the books I've read. Flaubert is considered a pioneer in literary realism, and I think Madame Bovary definitely supports that case. I'm very much looking forward to reading more of his works.
This book made me finally understand how Belle felt when she sang "There must be more to this provincial life" in Beauty and the Beast. But while Belle was Stockholm Syndromed by a literal beast of a man, Madame Bovary brings most of her woes on herself by continuing to strive for more romantically, financially, socially, etc. One could argue she is largely the harbinger of her own fate, but she is also bound by the world in which she lives, where the wife of a semi-respected local doctor cannot necessarily be the person she is or wants to be and seeks outlets for self-expression. She lives in a world that stifles her, and so it is understandable why she's looking for more. Marrying a doctor isn't enough. Attending a ball isn't enough. Moving to a bigger town isn't enough. Having an emotional affair with a young man isn't enough. And the list goes on and on. Once she gets closer and closer to seeing a world outside her reach, why wouldn't she keep aiming higher.
I also absolutely loved the imagery and world-building of this book. In clean, concise prose, I felt like I knew exactly where I was at every moment. A good translation, sure, but likely an excellent original.
I also absolutely loved the imagery and world-building of this book. In clean, concise prose, I felt like I knew exactly where I was at every moment. A good translation, sure, but likely an excellent original.
Niesamowicie irytująca bohaterka. Ciesze się że skończyła jak skończyła
medium-paced
sad
fast-paced
I just couldn't stand madame bovary. She comes across as ungrateful and depressing. I may come back to it later, but right now it's a mood killer