Reviews

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

mirgon03's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

cass_10e's review against another edition

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sad 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

3.0

Just once I’d like to read a “classic” focused on a female protagonist wherein she doesn’t die dramatically at the end.

mroateater's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

beckymrtn's review against another edition

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5.0

I *do* understand, Emma! I too would love, adore, the loveliest things in life. And to enjoy these loveliest of things in Paris!! But I will choose to live somewhat vicariously through beautiful books and films. (And occasional travels!) I'm so sorry that you could not come to the same compromise... Alas though, thank you and Flaubert for a stunning read!!!

ouizaya's review against another edition

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challenging funny reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rileyblundellwriter's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

remmslupin's review against another edition

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

3.75

maximum_moxie's review against another edition

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4.0

Say what you will about the conclusions he draws and where his sympathies lie, but Flaubert is one of the few male writers who really captures the ideas and idle fancies of a woman. Of course, this isn't to say all women are like Emma--willing to throw away everything for fantasy. But all of us have thought like her at some point, and a man expressing female thought accurately is a rarer thing indeed.

notasilkycat's review against another edition

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5.0

There was something special about re-reading Madame Bovary while traveling around Normandy. I started reading it while we were staying in Rouen, a hometown of Flaubert himself. I read Madame Bovary for the first time in my twenties and for years remembered it as a novel of significance. And it is exactly the case. 
This novel can be easily set in our time, there are endless parallels a reader can draw. I love this novel in all its complexity and layers but appreciate the most its psychological aspect.  

englishmajorsurvivor's review against another edition

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

3.5

Never been more frustrated at a protagonist in my life, which in this case isn't a bad thing.  Flaubert's language kept me turning the pages.