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41 pages 1 hour read

A Simple Heart

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1877

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Book Brief

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Gustave Flaubert

A Simple Heart

Fiction | Novella | Adult | Published in 1877
Book Details
Pages

68

Format

Novella • Fiction

Period
Setting

Normandy, France • 19th century

Publication Year

1877

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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Super Short Summary

"A Simple Heart," found in Gustave Flaubert's Three Tales, follows the life of the loving maidservant Félicité from her youth to her death, as she endures numerous personal losses and forms deep attachments, including to her employer's family, her nephew, and a parrot named Loulou. The story explores themes of class power, personal faith, and the omnipresence of death.

Melancholic

Bittersweet

Contemplative

Heartwarming

Reviews & Readership

3.9

8,075 ratings

48%

Loved it

37%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Gustave Flaubert’s A Simple Heart is lauded for its profound simplicity and rich emotional depth. Critics praise Flaubert's meticulous detail and empathetic portrayal of the protagonist, although some find the narrative slow-paced. Ultimately, it’s a touching exploration of human vulnerability.

Who should read this

Who Should Read A Simple Heart?

A reader who would enjoy A Simple Heart by Gustave Flaubert likely has an appreciation for classic literature, poignant character studies, and rich, descriptive prose. Fans of works like Madame Bovary or Thomas Hardy's Tess of the d'Urbervilles will find similar themes of human resilience and emotional depth.

3.9

8,075 ratings

48%

Loved it

37%

Mixed feelings

15%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

68

Format

Novella • Fiction

Period
Setting

Normandy, France • 19th century

Publication Year

1877

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

16+ years

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