Madame Bovary

Classic Collection

By: Gustave Flaubert

Narrated by: Simon Vance

Emma Bovary is a sensuous, sentimental young woman whose romantic ideals make her dissatisfied with her humdrum married life. Attempting to escape into an exciting world of passion and dreams, she drifts into sordid affairs with Rodolphe Boulanger and Léon Dupuis. The first of these lovers, an older man, dominates the affair, while the second, inexperienced and young, is dominated. The eventual collapse of Emma’s romantic dreams is inevitable, and her disillusionment leads ultimately to her doom.

A brilliant psychological portrait, Madame Bovary searingly depicts the human mind in search of transcendence. Acclaimed as a masterpiece upon its publication in 1857, it catapulted Flaubert to the ranks of the world’s greatest novelists and ushered in a new age of realism in literature.

(P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Madame Bovary has a perfection that not only stamps it, but that makes it stand almost alone; it holds itself with such a supreme unapproachable assurance as both excites and defies judgment.”

(Henry James)

“Madame Bovary is like the railroad stations erected in its epoch: graceful, even floral, but cast of iron.”

(John Updike)

“Flaubert established for good or ill, what most readers think of as modern realist narration, and his influence is almost too familiar to be visible.”

(James Woods, author of How Fiction Works)

“Simon Vance’s leisurely reading mirrors the pace of small-town life, and his clear, gentle voice, with its lovely timbre, seems especially suited to delivering the text’s many descriptive passages…Particularly amusing is his portrayal of Monsieur Homais, the voluble village chemist who fancies himself a learned man, and this brings some welcome comic relief to an otherwise tragic story.”

(AudioFile)

A masterpiece. The narrator does it justice.

Of course a book like this is a must listen especially if you have not read it.

All depends on the performance and here the narrator doesn't disappoint.

I have read this a few times and it was a pleasure to find that listening to it brought a fresh perspective. It is a good translation which does Flaubert justice.


If you don't know the story you have a great pleasure waiting for you.

Great value.

Great Classic for the romantic at heart

Great Classic for the Romanic at heart.
I had not read this in school so finally got to it and realized it was a simple yet pleasing novel on what we would see today as a simple love, yet in the time this was a toil of near Spakespearian tragedic.
What woman would not wish for a man to love her as Emma was loved in her last.

Simon Vance does it again!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Madam Bovary is a masterpiece of literature. He carefully constructs a scenario which draws the reader into a deeper understanding of the "human condition" with vibrant characters, wonderful prose, and commentary on the yearnings of the human heart.

What other book might you compare Madame Bovary to and why?

Thatcher's "Vanity Fair" discusses the same issues, yet with a satirical wit, that ultimately draws the reader in.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

Simon Vance is a wonderful narrator. His voice and elocution is easy on the ears and his performance speaks to his grasp of the writer's intent.

Bored French women are trouble

Lessons learned in 300 pages/11 hours: Bored French women are trouble. Men are NOT to be trusted. Doctors don't know jack. If you want your kids to have a good job, raise them to be pharmacists or pawn brokers. Don't buy crap you can't afford. Don't get into debt. If you are going to kill yourself, do it right. Hide your notes. Marry for love.

A fantastic first read

This was the first book I downloaded from Audible, because a friend of mine was also reading it. It's been years since I read Madame Bovary and I was captured all over again by its brilliance and incredible language, scene setting, character development... Simon Vance's reading voice is perfect: comforting, articulate, soothing. Just a true pleasure.