Reviews - Madame Bovary: Sittenbild aus der Provinz

4.22k reviews for:

Madame Bovary: Sittenbild aus der Provinz

Gustave Flaubert

3.51 AVERAGE

lauradzpz's review against another edition

4.0

emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

nicozinos's review against another edition

3.25

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

depressing

rolandwolfheart's review against another edition

3.0

slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

cinlat's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Emma Bovary is, quite frankly, unlikeable—and yet, I liked her. There’s something strangely compelling about her selfishness, her impulsive whims, and the way she pouts her way through life like a spoilt brat. I often found myself laughing at her dramatics, particularly in her exasperated treatment of her dull but well-meaning husband, Charles. Her contempt is biting, and her brattiness gives the novel an unexpected streak of dark comedy.

But beyond the surface-level theatrics lies the true weight of the novel. Emma is insatiable in her desires—always reaching for something more, something grander, something that might finally fill the void inside her. Whether it’s romantic fantasy, material luxury, or social elevation, she’s endlessly chasing the next thing she believes will make her happy. But nothing ever does.

That’s where the novel really got under my skin. Emma’s endless longing, her refusal to be satisfied, becomes a kind of quiet tragedy. It’s not just about one woman’s dissatisfaction—it’s about the human tendency to dream beyond our reality, and the cost of living for illusions. Flaubert captures it all with a sharp, unflinching eye.

In the end, I didn’t admire Emma, but I saw her. And maybe that’s the point.

aud23's review against another edition

3.5

truthfully I didn't feel too attached to many of these characters

moominland666's review against another edition

3.0

challenging slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

elfadivalinor's review against another edition

4.0

— Quanto più si accorgeva del suo amore, tanto più lo respingeva, per tenerlo celato, per diminuirlo. […] Allora, appetiti della carne, avidità di denaro, malinconia della passione, tutto si confuse in un’unica sofferenza; e, invece di stornarne la mente, lei vi si attaccava sempre più, il dolore la eccitava, lei non faceva che cercare le occasioni per star male. […] La mediocrità dell’esistenza domestica le suggeriva fantasie fastose, la tenerezza coniugale sogni adulterini. E le capitava di sussultare a certe ipotesi atroci che formulava la sua mente; doveva proprio continuare a sorridere, continuare a sentirsi ripetere che era felice, continuare a fingere di esserlo, lasciarlo credere?