Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Madame Bovary

Gustave Flaubert with Lydia Davis

342 pages • first pub 1857 (editions)

fiction classics emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Description

When Emma Rouault marries dull, provincial doctor Charles Bovary, her dreams of an elegant and passionate life crumble. She escapes into sentimental novels but finds her fantasies dashed by the tedium of her days. Motherhood proves to be a burden;...

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Community Reviews Summary of 15,342 reviews

Moods

reflective 60%
emotional 58%
sad 54%
dark 33%
challenging 24%
tense 19%
funny 8%
adventurous 4%
informative 3%
inspiring 2%
mysterious 2%
hopeful 1%
lighthearted 1%
relaxing 1%

Pace

slow 64%
medium 33%
fast 2%

Plot- or character-driven?

Character: 79% | A mix: 16% | Plot: 3%

Strong character development?

No: 39% | Yes: 30% | It's complicated: 29%

Loveable characters?

No: 57% | It's complicated: 33% | Yes: 8%

Diverse cast of characters?

No: 79% | Yes: 10% | It's complicated: 4% | N/A: 4%

Flaws of characters a main focus?

Yes: 95% | It's complicated: 3%

Average rating

3.48

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Content Warnings

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