Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary: A Reference Guide

by Laurence M. Porter, Eugene F. Gray

This comprehensive reference begins with an introductory chapter that overviews Flaubert's life and career. A detailed summary of the novel's plot is followed by a close examination of the novel's genesis, its publication history, and the merits of various editions and translations. Later chapters discuss the social and cultural contexts informing the work, Flaubert's literary craftsmanship, and the novel's critical reception. The volume concludes with extensive bibliographic information.

Flaubert's determination to achieve stylistic and structural perfection led to the creation of his masterpiece, Madame Bovary . The achievement was long considered the exemplary novel in Western literature, and writers remain deeply indebted to its legacy.

232 pages, Hardcover

First published December 30, 2002

Reviews

[Keely]

Two authors contribute their own chapter-by-chapter synopses, background material, and analyses of Flaubert's life, writing style in this and his other books, the creation of the characters, themes in the book, critical reception, and his impact on literature. Extensive reference material, including a chart of his influence on other writers, and film and literary adaptations.