Never too Late to Read Classics discussion

This month's genre selected is Historical Fiction/Romance. We have two reads:

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Madame Bovary originally published as Madame Bovary: Provincial Manners (French). It is the debut novel of French writer Gustave Flaubert, published in 1856. Emma Bovary's character lives beyond her means in order to escape the banalities and emptiness of provincial life.
Charles Bovary, Emma's husband, is a very simple and common man. He is a country doctor by profession but is, as in everything else, not very good at it. He is in fact not qualified enough to be termed a doctor.

Gustave Flaubert (12 December 1821 – 8 May 1880) was a French novelist. Highly influential, he has been considered the leading exponent of literary realism in his country. In 1850, after returning from Egypt, Flaubert began work on Madame Bovary. The novel, which took five years to write, was serialized in the Revue de Paris in 1856. The government brought an action against the publisher and author on the charge of immorality, which was heard during the following year, but both were acquitted. When Madame Bovary appeared in book form, it met with a warm reception. (329 pages)

Any one planning on reading this one?

I am planning to read this. It has been on my TBR for a long time.
Hope others will join.

I've read this three times over the years. It is definitely worth reading.

I plan on reading this though I ordered a copy on the 12th of January and it hasn’t even shipped yet.

I'm planning to read this as I have my kindle copy at hand.

I'll be reading this one. Bought the Oxford kindle edition. This is a reread for me. When I first read it a couple of years ago, I had mixed feelings. I'm curious to know how I'll feel after another read. I've decided to read it slowly this time to see if I could better understand Emma and her conduct. :)

Welcome Maureen, Chad Atulya and Piyangie happy to see new and re-reading happening!

I have order a copy hopefully it will show up within a week.

I have owned a French version of Madame Bovary for 2 years now. This gives me an opportunity to read it.

MarcelProustFan wrote: "I have owned a French version of Madame Bovary for 2 years now. This gives me an opportunity to read it."

Happy to have you join in with us. Will be intersting that you are reading in it's natural language.

When Googling Madame Bovary I found this: Realist Novel as the genre.

Literary realism is a literary genre, part of the broader realism in arts, that attempts to represent subject-matter truthfully, avoiding speculative fiction and supernatural elements. It originated with the realist art movement that began with mid-nineteenth-century French literature (Stendhal) and Russian literature (Alexander Pushkin). Literary realism attempts to represent familiar things as they are. Realist authors chose to depict everyday and banal activities and experiences.

I will be joining too. I read this in high school so I am interested to see how my perspective has changed.

I have read part one. I am enjoying the writing so far.

Marie wrote: "I will be joining too. I read this in high school so I am interested to see how my perspective has changed."

Glad to have you join in Marie!

Maureen wrote: "I have read part one. I am enjoying the writing so far."

Good news Maureen! My copy is in delivery but I havent had mail since last Thursday so thinking the mail truck cant stop yet because she gets stuck on the hill with all the ice! She skips our hill often when the weather is bad. Hopefully soon.

I finished this yesterday and I really loved it. There are so many cultural references that I understand now compared to when I was younger, for example the storyline of Lucia di Lammermoor, as I have actually seen the opera. I also really enjoyed Flaubert's insight into the feelings and thoughts of the characters, especially Emma's continued desire to escape her situations throughout the novel.

Here are two musings that are non-plot related:

1. Why do you think that Flaubert titled the novel Madame Bovary? To me it robs her of her identity as Emma and just gives her name in relation to her husband. Was this on purpose?

2. There are actually 3 Madame Bovarys in the novel. Does the title of the novel Madame Bovary refer to them as well or just Emma?

I’m only 30 pages in but already find your questions very interesting Marie.
I read Hardy’s Return of the Native last month and am finding a few parallels. At least so far.

I just received my mail yesterday! But didnt get it out of the box till today!
My edition was in there finally!!

I’m reading an Oxford World’s Classics edition. I really like the way they do their notes. Quick and easy to find as they are just listed in order by page number.

I too have the Oxford edition. I'm yet to get to it. I want to finish some of my other reads before I start with it so I can give my undivided attention to it. :)

I had my high school Bantam Classics edition but I also listened to the audiobook performed by Leelee Sobieski. They are different translations so I would look at one while listening to the other and I enjoyed seeing the variation in translations.

Marie wrote: "They are different translations so I would look at one while listening to the other a..."

I remember doing that when reading Decameron. It is fun. :)

I love the descriptions in the writing. I’m sure that translations play deeply into that. In the first part of the book, the grand ball that they attended, I really felt that I understood being there. The food, the extravagance and the dancing. It’s a wonderful scene.

I'm slowly reading/listening to this (both). 12% in & must admit that Emma is irritating me. I suppose I should feel sympathy for her, but right now she strikes me as entitled and flighty. How young is she at her marriage?

Rosemarie do you have a guess at what age Emma is when she marries?

I am not totally positive but she marries shortly after the convent so I would think like 18-20ish?

I don't remember her exact age, but that sounds about right. But I do remember how bored she was when she was living at home.

Right! She loved her Romance books and wanted life to be that way.

I just finished Chapter 4 during lunch.

The Wedding is so detailed and well planned. Quite elaborate. Madame Bovary Sr is prickly.

I've begun Part 2. I agree the depth of detail is delightful.

I have to say I am not a fan of Emma’s but I did feel sorry for her.

I feel the same way, Maureen.

Whew. Thought I was alone on that opinion.

The character I feel sorry for is Charles.

I can start this Friday, maybe Saturday. Just have to finish a Zola installment of the Rougon - Macquart cycle.

It will be good to hear your thoughts, Gilbert.

I'll be starting tonight. Marie had posed an interesting question as to why the novel was named Madam Bovary. I'd also like to know why. Will see if the story could shed some light on it.

This is completely random and not a spoiler.
When we were studying the novel in a French Lit course, our professor noted that Emma spends a lot of time looking out of windows.

The writing in French is exquisite. Flaubert was a real stickler for finding the right words.

I finished the first 5 chapters of Part I. The first thing I noticed is that what I'm reading is a beautifully written story. I cannot remember what translation I read the first time, but certainly not a good one. I'm glad to have chosen the Oxford edition this time.

What I enjoyed most was the part that described Charles and Emma's wedding. It was elaborately done.

Piyangie wrote: "What I enjoyed most was the part that described Charles and Emma's wedding. It was elaborately done...."

Yes it was very detailed, so much so you can visualize the wedding perfectly.
Madame Bovary (mother) seemed so disappointed about not being included in those details.

Emma is unbelievable! I keep shaking my head with a feel of anger at the things she thinks and does!
Motherly love is not learned it is heartfelt, having lost her Mother early on does not excuse her actions and thoughts towards Berthe.

Part Two chapter 6 completed.

Emma is completely self-absorbed, lacking empathy.

I finished Part 1. The ending chapter describes how Emma threw her bouquet into the fire. I felt it was symbolic of some impending doom!

Starting tomorrow, looking forward to the read.

Finally finished. She is far from my favorite protagonist, which undoubtedly led to my considering this an arduous read. In contrast to Silas Marner, Emma just kept sliding downhill surrounded by her one dimensional vanity and her new wardrobe purchased on credit.

I found this to be fantastic! I finished it this morning with a hot cup of coffee. It’s a great example of something I may have never picked up were it not for this great group. Thank you.

Thank you, Chad! I'm glad you found it a worthwhile read.

Many thanks Chad.
So glad you took on this read. I do not think I would be reading it either if it was not for the group.

Part 2 Chapter 8

Flaubert's masterful descriptive paragraphs are amazing describing all the animals that are gathered for the fair.

Emma plans so easily into scenarios she does not belong in. She so irritates me.

Particularly enjoyed the wedding and dinner descriptions, as well as those from the viscount's ball.
16 hours for wedding feast. Sorry I was unable to attend.

Gilbert wrote: "Sorry I was unable to attend."

Made me laugh and smile Gilbert!