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55 pages 1 hour read

Gustave Flaubert

Madame Bovary

Gustave FlaubertFiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1856

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Book Brief

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Gustave Flaubert

Madame Bovary

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1856
Book Details
Pages

329

Format

Novel • Fiction

Period
Setting

France • 1840s

Publication Year

1856

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

920L

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Super Short Summary

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert follows Emma Bovary, who marries Charles Bovary expecting a life of excitement and romantic fulfillment. Disillusioned with her mundane marriage, Emma pursues extramarital affairs and lavish spending to escape her dissatisfaction. Her reckless actions lead to financial ruin and personal despair, ultimately resulting in her tragic demise. The narrative addresses sensitive topics including intimate partner violence, self-inflicted death, and prejudiced portrayals of marginalized groups.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Dark

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary is lauded for its intricate character development and pioneering realism, offering a deep exploration of the protagonist's psyche. Critics praise its meticulous prose and critical examination of bourgeois society. However, some find the narrative slow-paced and the characters unlikable, which may impede reader engagement.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Madame Bovary?

A reader who enjoys Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert would appreciate richly detailed narratives, psychological depth, and critiques of bourgeois society. Fans of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy or James Joyce's Ulysses will likely be captivated by Flaubert's masterful storytelling and complex characterization.

Book Details
Pages

329

Format

Novel • Fiction

Period
Setting

France • 1840s

Publication Year

1856

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

920L

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