Without going back over my Goodreads ‘Read’ shelf, I feel quite certain in saying that I have never read any novel written by a French author before. If I have, I’ve clearly forgotten so it can’t have been that good. Before some of you shrink back in horror at this blatant sacrilege, it hasn’t been a conscious choice, as I know there are numerous authors out there who are considered some of the greatest and are French. Simone de Beauvoire is on my list of authors to get to, I promise.
So it was with almost zero expectation that I began reading Flaubert’s most notorious work and I’m very pleased to say that this expectation was easily surpassed. I loved this book. Loved it. My Kindle version had a very good introduction which I almost wish I had read after the novel as it gave away the ending (damn spoilers!), but it also provided good historical and societal context, which only added to my experience as a reader.
Here’s a plot summary: the wife of a provincial doctor, Emma Bovary embarks on a life of adulterous affairs and reckless spending to escape her narrow and dull country life.
For me, one of the most outstanding features of Flaubert’s novel was the narration. As mentioned in the novel’s introduction, Flaubert wanted to have a narrative style which would slip in and out of the character’s thoughts without disrupting the flow of the story and he achieved it beautifully in this book. Such a tactic circumvents all of the unlikely plot devices which other authors resort to in order to tell their story (Emily Bronte, I’m looking at you, lady).
He manages these seamless changes so well that at some points I wasn’t sure if it was Emma’s voice (Madame Bovary) or the narrator’s I was hearing, which may sound like a negative comment, but I think it opened up a whole other element of the book. As soon as the reader questions who is speaking, the issue of self-awareness on the part of the character (in this case Emma) is raised. Does she know someone is reading her story? For example:
She confided many a thing to her greyhound. She would have done so to the logs in the fireplace or to the pendulum of the clock.
Is this the narrator’s comment on Emma’s frame of mind? Or is this her own confession?
Flaubert famously stated “Madame Bovary, c’est moi” – something which he later went on to contradict by claiming “There’s nothing in Madame Bovary that’s drawn from life”.
Change ‘religion’ and ‘stories’ to ‘celebrity gossip blogs’ and ‘Facebook’ and you will have the situation many young women find themselves in today – dreaming of a richer, more exciting life, with fame and luxury adorning every day. Flaubert may not have intended to write such a timeless tale, but that’s just what he’s done.
Ultimately, she embodies the idea that when people are exposed to a higher life and greater privileges, we all want to be a permanent part of that life:
In its [her heart] friction against wealth something had come over it that could not be effaced
The ending (usually a nerve wrecking element of a book if I’m really enjoying it) was suitably tragic. I’ll try not to give too much away, just explain that I felt the last two chapters were more of an epilogue, rather than a seamless continuation of the action which came before it.
Thank goodness for the highlight function on Kindles; I have too many quotes to include in one post so here are a couple of my favourites…
- Emma’s acknowledgement of the differences between her and her husband:
But as the intimacy of their life became deeper, the greater became the gulf that separated her from him
- One example, which to me, demonstrates how Emma suffers from depression:
Everything seemed to her enveloped in a black atmosphere floating confusedly over the exterior of things, and sorrow was engulfed within her soul with soft shrieks such as the winter wind makes in ruined castles.
Best part: The narrative style
Worst part: Hard to say… I think I would’ve appreciated a little more of Charles point of view to have more sympathy for him and his position. But perhaps this was Flaubert’s intent. Additionally, the ending felt disjointed.
Avoid if: You’re a science fiction fan.
Read if: You like “real” fiction. Flaubert is considered by many to be the Father of Realism and this book exposes the flaws and failures of everyday relationships.
One word to sum up this book: Perceptive
Should it be on the list?: Yes. I am ashamed I had not read this book before now. There’s much more to Madame Bovary which I have not been able to cover in this review – the effectiveness of the plot, other interesting characters, such as Lheureux, the local loan-shark, or Monsieur Homais, the town pharmacist.
9/10
101 Great Expectations 