Madame Bovary

“”Madame Bovary”” is a novel by the French writer Gustave Flaubert, first published in 1856. It’s often considered his masterpiece and a seminal work in literary realism. The story centers on Emma Bovary, a doctor’s wife who, disillusioned with her mundane provincial life and her unremarkable husband Charles, seeks escapism and romance through extramarital affairs and living beyond her means. Emma’s constant search for luxury, excitement, and passion leads her to conduct affairs with two different men: Rodolphe, a wealthy local landowner, and Léon, a young law clerk. Her extravagant spending and pursuit of an idealized romantic life eventually lead to her financial ruin. Overwhelmed by debt and her failed relationships, Emma takes a drastic and tragic step to escape her predicament. Flaubert’s narrative critically examines the limitations and roles of women in the 19th century, the bourgeois society’s pretensions, and the devastating effects of romanticism on individuals with unattainable desires. The book’s detailed, nuanced portrayal of everyday life and its focus on the character’s inner thoughts were revolutionary at the time. —- ISBN: 9798328643085