Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert

Gustave Flaubert's first published novel, Madame Bovary (1856), is generally regarded by critics as his masterpiece. My second interpretation of the book was much the same as my first reading; a stifling insight into the banality of the petit bourgeois. One could argue this was precisely Flaubert's intention, after accepting his friends' challenge to do away with romanticism and write something suitably tedious and modern. Madame Bovary is one of the defining modernist novels, with impeccable attention to realism, and preoccupation with the mundane, everyday aspects of life. The story is set in a parochial, Pre-Industrial Revolution France, and details the monotonous existence of Emma Bovary, a bored housewife wed to a mediocre, provincial doctor. Yearning for the glamour and romantic escapades of the chick lit she devours, Emma turns to adultery and materialism to satisfy her cravings.

Banned in its time for the scandalous portrayal of a philandering married woman, the novel exposed its writer to the outrage of the French bourgeoisie. Flaubert himself was a shameless member of the very class he sought to satirise, wherein lies much of the irony. There is a strong sense of autobiography within the book; notably Emma's erotic forays into Rouen mirroring Flaubert's own lust-fueled train journeys to visit mistresses. The atheist pharmacist Homais shares many similarities with the writer, despite representing the inflated, pretentious, and ridiculous middle-class citizen Gustave so detested. A strong presence of the medical practice also pervades, revealing his family background in the profession. Perhaps most importantly, we witness Flaubert's deep abhorrence towards the institution of marriage and its stultifying effects on women, arising no doubt from disapproval of his sister's choice in husband.

The character of the doomed, unfaithful wife has inspired countless imitations in succeeding literature. She portrays the wretched victim of a capitalist, patriarchal society with naive aspirations and feminine illusions which must be punished at the close of the novel. Sympathising with Emma is difficult; she's duplicitous, covetous, spiteful, and cruel. One cannot help but feel some pity towards Charles, her well meaning cuckold of a husband, whose endeavors to please her are continually thwarted. The supporting characters, particularly the lovers, are all contemptible, self-serving narcissists. The highly polished prose is the result of five years meticulous labour, but this doesn't stop some discrepancies from appearing; i.e. the phenomenon of Emma's much debated changing eye colour. Certainly not the most engaging of reads, I'd argue that Madame Bovary has finally started to show her age.

Rating: 2/5