Reviews

Recently (November 16, 2023, to be exact) I had the pleasure of attending the world premiere of Emma Bovary, an adaptation for the ballet and presented by The National Ballet of Canada, in Toronto. Such production was outstanding and the choreography was extraordinary.

So, as soon as I arrived home I searched for my copy of this book, because I felt the need to re-read it (but this time in English).

I read this work during my early teens, and in my memory I remembered this book being about adultery, but the adaptation for the ballet was a lot more than just that. In the ballet the portrait of mental illness was very strong and touching. You do feel sorry for the main character, but at the same time, you hate her. She is very unlikable, so I think that the majority of the negative reviews of the book are based on that alone, which I think is very unfair, but I have only to accept those opinions.

Yes, I had to re-read this book, to see what I missed out on my first reading. The ballet gave me a different perspective and I loved the adaptation.

This novel was originally serialized in the Revue de Paris in 1856, and then published in two volumes the following year.

Upon its release, the French government accused Flaubert of obscenity, but, in my opinion, there is nothing vulgar, offensive or obscene about this book, but perhaps during those years no one would consider the desires of a woman as being normal. But I’m not sure if anything was lost in translation.

But it is said that this is a work of profound humanity, and according to some, it opened a new age of realism in literature.

Yes, I have to agree that the development of the storyline is not very engaging.

This is not a page turner.

My favourite part of the book was the last 20%, which was very well written and tragic.

But I couldn’t stop thinking about the time it was written and I had to take that fact into consideration, hence my ratings.

I did read this edition and at the same time I listened to the audiobook narrated by Leelee Sobieski (on Audible).

I noticed some differences in the words/phrases such as below:

Audio x ebook

Stifled laugh x stifled bomb

Five hundred lines x five hundred verses

She always accompanied him x She always reconducted him

I didn’t write all of the difference between editions (there were too many), but this sample will give you an idea of what I’m trying to say.

After a few chapters I switched editions and found one that was exactly like the audiobook (it happens to be an edition by Amazon Classics).

I should have googled for the one considered as the best translated edition, before starting.

Anyways, I did it after and this was the result: “The original, classic translation from 1886 is the one by Eleanor Marx-Aveling (the youngest daughter of Karl Marx) and the one that's trendy now is the 2010 translation by Lydia Davis.”

Paperback (published in 2005 by Barnes & Noble Classics with new Introduction): 368 pages

ebook (kindle - Amazon Classics): 372 pages (default)

ebook (Kobo), The Floating Press (Release Date: January 1, 2008): 399 pages (default), 115k words

Audible - Audiobook narrated by Leelee Sobieski: 12h 32min (normal speed)

ana4mars's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

amber_c's review against another edition

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reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

hazzajazza's review against another edition

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reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

laurelkane's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense slow-paced

4.25

caitlyn888's review against another edition

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3.0

I read Kate Chopin's "The Awakening" first, and after being told how it's basically a repackaged version of "Madame Bovary," I decided to compare and contrast. I definitely see where Chopin got her inspiration from - if you enjoy classics about women in unhappy marriages that go searching for more excitement and passion in their lives, these will probably be quite enjoyable. I also have to constantly remind myself that these books were considered extremely scandalous at the time - it was the 19th century, after all. So yeah. This was not the most profound book I've ever read, but it lends itself to good discussion about the bourgeoise class and women seeking autonomy before "the problem that has no name" was widely discussed.

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