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.

lol funny

I’ve read this book many times and found it immensely sad, but this performance made me lol. I never realized how hilarious this book was — particularly the scene in Rouen Cathedral “Visitors must leave by the North entrance!” and Homais’ hissy fit over poor Justin’s porn “I’m not saying this is a bad book… it is written by a doctor and contains useful information” The actor really makes this book, which can be downright dismal, fun.

Somewhere in the universe, Flaubert is smiling...

...to hear the sound of Ronald Pickup's deft Bovary character interpretations, whose cadence, rhythm, and intonation are nothing short of masterful. My only regret is that no other Flaubert offerings are entrusted to him. This one is a must-listen!

MUCH BETTER THE SECOND TIME AROUND

Surely there is no more exciting and pursued emotion than “being in love.” Flaubert’s classic MADAM BOVARY reminds us how fleeting and dangerous this emotion can be, especially after lovers become satiated and then bored with too much familiarity. To his credit, considering his time period, he also shows us, that prostitution is an equal opportunity behavior for both sexes and arranged marriages do not always result in learning to love.

From the beginning we know that the marriage of Emma and Charles is doomed from the first. Emma’s convent education had exposed her to the fine arts and books about handsome knights on shining white horses pursuing beautiful ladies while Charles’ education, arranged by his mother, was limited to memorizing his way through the required tests for a medical license. His mother had arranged his marriage to an older widow and Emma had returned home to her father’s farm when she left the convent. Charles was captivated by a beautiful young woman and Emma was looking for a way out of the dull boredom of farm life. And, so after the death of his wife, they were wed.

Boredom can be a great motivator for the immature. Emma seeks to relieve the boredom by pursuing the excitement of “falling in love” and of spending money. Sound familiar? Charles loves his beautiful young wife. Both end up in tragedy.

Flaubert is an outstanding writer. His descriptive prose is a pleasure to hear. His book is better appreciated by mature readers than by high school seniors and college sophomores. It is a fine listen with a very good narrator. Enjoy!

Wonderful!

Where does Madame Bovary rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is such a wonderful reading by Ronald Pickup - and of course, the story is a classic for good reason. I did not want it to finish...highly recommended!

It's Ok.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Ronald Pickup?

The narrator did a good job.

Any additional comments?

I thought this book was just ok. Hard to follow at times.

Tragic love

A cautionary tale of love, sometimes even if you love someone it isn't enough to make the marriage work.

The Lady who Loved too Well

Flaubert's extraordinary language thunders through in this excellent English translation of a woman whose ambitious love could not be contained by her out-of-the-way village. The tale excels in subtle characterization of individuals whom you've met before.
Ronald Pickup, the reader, is one of the very best you'll hear. His dramatic intonations give life to the characters and his pronunciation convinces you of authenticity. He's the perfectly complement to Flaubert.

Your heart beats faster

If you want an experience. If you want to know a deadly passion then this is a book for you.

Sensational in its time and still goood

Recently read Gore Vidal's 1876 and the main character mentioned this book several times. I can definitely see why it was so controversial at the time. It is so cool to hear someone describe seeing a woman's ankles in sexual terms. A different time.

Vivid, real, and beautifully read

This timeless story is read beautifully and engagingly by Ronald Pickup. His interpretation and reading made me laugh out loud while driving through oppressive traffic. I strongly recommend this audiobook based upon both the translation and the narration.