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What Members Thought
Flaubert, at least by his portrayal of the various characters in this novel, seems to hate all of mankind. This novel is well-written, but depressing beyond belief. It's not just that the characters don't come to good ends, they aren't even characters that you can feel any sense of identification with as the reader. They are all either cruel and harmful in their selfishness or stupid. I like art that affirms life and this is not it. I'll take Tolstoy any day.
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I tried to like this book but never before have I disliked the main character so much. So glad when I finished this book.
The story of Madame Bovary is not particularly unusual: the story of a French bourgeois woman who keeps taking lovers and getting into debt. The writing, however, is worth remembering. Even in translation, Flaubert's writing is notable: the images he employs are great. I wish I could have read it in the original French.
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Madame Bovary is not a likable character. Whimsical, dramatic, not sure of what she wants, living in her little fantasy world. Yet, for the time it was written, her character is such a break-through. Because likable or not, she did have a choice.
Aug 02, 2009
Erin
marked it as to-read
Jul 25, 2010
Katie Matthews
marked it as to-read
Feb 03, 2012
Teri
marked it as to-read
Aug 22, 2013
Janani
marked it as to-read
Oct 29, 2014
Rachel
added it
Jul 02, 2015
treehugger
marked it as to-read
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Jul 22, 2015
Zana J
marked it as to-read
