55 pages • 1 hour read
Gustave FlaubertMadame Bovary
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1856A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert follows Emma Bovary, who marries Charles Bovary expecting a life of excitement and romantic fulfillment. Disillusioned with her mundane marriage, Emma pursues extramarital affairs and lavish spending to escape her dissatisfaction. Her reckless actions lead to financial ruin and personal despair, ultimately resulting in her tragic demise. The narrative addresses sensitive topics including intimate partner violence, self-inflicted death, and prejudiced portrayals of marginalized groups.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Gustave Flaubert's Madame Bovary is lauded for its intricate character development and pioneering realism, offering a deep exploration of the protagonist's psyche. Critics praise its meticulous prose and critical examination of bourgeois society. However, some find the narrative slow-paced and the characters unlikable, which may impede reader engagement.
Who Should Read Madame Bovary?
A reader who enjoys Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert would appreciate richly detailed narratives, psychological depth, and critiques of bourgeois society. Fans of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy or James Joyce's Ulysses will likely be captivated by Flaubert's masterful storytelling and complex characterization.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
920L