Madame Bovary

By: Gustave Flaubert, Gerard Hopkins - translator

Narrated by: Ronald Pickup

Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Before marrying, Emma Bovary believed she would enter a life of luxury and passion like the sentimental stories she'd read in her novels and magazines. Now married to an ordinary country doctor her life is not the romantic ideal she imagined and seeks an escape through having extra-marital affairs. This devastating spiral into deceit and despair leads to catastrophic consequences.

Emma Bovary continues to be enjoyed to this day because of its profound humanity, still as fresh today as when it was first written. But when first released in instalments in the Revue de Paris, the French government accused Flaubert of obscenity. However, the trial that followed and Flaubert's acquittal, only served to increase interest in the story when released as a book, leading to it becoming a best seller in 1857.

Considered Flaubert's masterpiece, the audiobook is an important piece of literary realism and one of the most influential literary works in history. It remains unsurpassed in its unveiling of character and society with its wonderfully subtle understanding of human emotions.

Translated by Gerard Hopkins.

Narrator Biography

Ronald Pickup has been in over 150 films and television series. His films include The Time of Their Lives, The Have-Nots, Schadenfreude, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Prince of Persia, Sands of Time, and Greyfriars Bobby. His television includes The Crown, Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey, Atlantis, Coronation Street, Pram Face, Parade's End, Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Holby City, Foyle's War, Cambridge Spies, and Orwell on Jura (nominated Best Actor BAFTA).

Ronald Pickup's theatrical credits include Heartbreak House (Chichester Festival Theatre), Waiting For Godot (Haymarket Theatre, West End), Uncle Vanya (The Rose Theatre, Kingston), Look Back in Anger (Theatre Royal, Bath), Proof (Donmar Warehouse), and Amy's View (National Theatre and NY- nominated Best Supporting Actor Olivier).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Worth a listen!

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

This reader is extraordinary! He could read almost any book and make it come alive.

What does Ronald Pickup bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Depth of emotion and character development

Wonderful narration

The narrator did such a great job! I wish that I would’ve liked the main character more. She really had me vexed.

For good use of time, Read Anna Karenina instead

I thought the narrator did a good job. And the translation seemed well done. I like checking classics off, so I’m glad I read it. The story reminds me of Anna Karenina. Different but similar. Anna Karenina is SO GOOD though, this one is just ok.

Awesome book

The whole book is great and the narrator does such a good job.The last few chapters were my favourite.

Classic

I loved the beautiful literary descriptions of countryside… of moods… of enticements.
Style of writing back then had so much more depth.
The reading of the book was excellent each character different and well done. Totally enjoyable .

Poorly laid out story.

This was a poorly laid out story that was very difficult to follow. It's set in France and they often referenced locations and landmarks which only the locals would recognize which made it even more difficult to follow. Not one of the characters had a redeeming quality.


SPOILER:
I listen to the end in hopes that some justice would be made. I was sorely disappointed and confused about many things all the way to the end.

Narrator made it impossible to finish

I couldn’t stand when he was narrating the mens voices. The accents and pitch of the voice I couldn’t even listen
I really wanted to read the book. I guess this is one for me to actually read. Not use audible.

Not what I expected

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

I don't know if it would have been possible for me ever to rate this a 4 or 5 start book. The plot is slow and tedious, and the narrator didn't help. Perhaps another narrator could have made it more interesting. I was aware, many times, of not enjoying the way in which the narrator read. But then, again, I'm not sure this book would have interested me even if I were actually reading it. It is definitely NOT audiobook material.

What could Gustave Flaubert and Gerard Hopkins (translator) have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

To me, this would have been better as a much shorter book. There is too much drawing out of minutiae. Since I cannot translate French, I can't say what Mr. Hopkins could have done better.

What didn’t you like about Ronald Pickup’s performance?

It seemed that in trying to make the reading interesting, he constantly emphasized words of phrases that didn't merit emphasis. This reading was disruptive and annoying.

What character would you cut from Madame Bovary?

I didn't have a problem with the number of characters.

Any additional comments?

I'm so glad to be finished with this book. I was determined not to waste a credit so stuck with it to the bitter end. But it's the second worst classic I've chosen. The first was Bleak House.