astralvoyages 's review for:

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
4.0

Flaubert was one of the writers I'd heard bandied about as a seminal novel writer, and so he remained for years as a named lodged in my mind. Now, having read Madame Bovary, does he usurp Emilé Zola as the reigning regent of 19th century literary realism, let alone French realism? Non.

I certainly enjoyed parts of the novel, like Flaubert's remarkable depiction of listlessness, yearning, and dare I say, ennui, in Emma, or the effusive scientific faith of pharmacist Homais. The novel's odd pacing, especially towards the end does drag, which I realize is a common feeling I have with the denouement of most classic novels. Though, this may be an issue of narrative expectation shaped by modern media.