Madame Bovary

By: Gustave Flaubert

Narrated by: Davina Porter

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

Emma Bovary is not content to be the mere dutiful wife of a French country doctor. She yearns for excitement and a sense of romance that pulls at her so strongly she is powerless to resist, even though pursuing her dreams will exact a terrible price. Learn why Gustave Flaubert's compelling heroine has enchanted and puzzled readers for centuries.

Translation by Eleanor Marx-Aveling, originally published in 1886.

Public Domain (P)1989 Recorded Books, Inc.

Critic reviews

"If one were to ask, 'World, which is the most perfect novel ever written?,' the world would immediately answer: Madame Bovary." (Washington Post's Book World)

Great read. Great story.

The narrator performance truly complimented such a captivating story. Would strongly recommend the purchase of this audio book.

A marvelous tragedy

I was unprepared for the horrific tragedy that this novel springs upon the reader in the final act. No doubt this book was influential to Tolstoy. Unbelievably passionate prose that practically hums with inspiration and meticulous craft. The rich character of Emma Bovary will live on in my mind forever.

Oh the descent.

It is a sad story of foolishness, vice and debauchery. I loved it. Read it and weep.

Female protagonist, realism style

In a world of self help books and empowerment of women it is easy to read this book and see how Emma’s misery is a result of psychological effects of an unfulfilled life. But this book is relatable in the way that we have all felt powerless and unhappy. What really matters is how we deal with these unfulfilled desires and how lucky modern women are to have power to actually do something about their situations.

A timeless classic!

I can now see why this was one of Hemingway's favorites. Though the recording may be older, Davina's reading was flawless.

Interesting book

Davina porter did her usual impeccable job.
I stayed with this story (primarily about a narcissistic woman) because I wondered why it was so famous and wanted to find out. I’m sure there’s a good reason but im not sure I would have listened to the whole thing if I had understood how It would unfold.

Now Here's a Story

Divina Porter gave so much life to Madame Bovary, and of course with no small contribution by its author, the book has a permanent position in my mental book shelf. Hours and hours of listening feeling like I was watching Emma coming apart and taking down the entire cast with her. So well written, you love and pity Emma, feel sorry for Charles and loathe the symbolic money lender for giving her the ability to do it all.

At the end all the tragic, tortured revelations, one glaring irony has a woman coming to collect a debt for Emma's lessons (lessons never taken but used as a cover up to her husband). The 'teacher' approaches poor Emma's suffering husband for a year of "lessons" not taken.

Ah the turn of the screw, the turn of the phrase. On the surface you can read a tale of a "Scarlet O'Hara" in reverse, a woman with everything who longs for a perfect love in a perfect and handsome man. She has all the "things" she needs, but belives she is without love. Her doting husband loves and trusts her, too simple a man to suspect her betrayals. In the end he drinks with one of her lovers proclaiming no bad feelings toward the man. Until the end, his love for her, the very love she sought in every wrong situation, honored her and maintained his belief in her perfection, even as her old love letters fell from his hands. The effect of her never finding what she wants costs him all that his small medical practice provided. (There's no place like home. She had the slippers on all the time!)

The side stories and political, religious and social commentary retell the trysts and errors that Emma commits on her road to ruin. The author uses Emma as the symbol of excess and the outcome as predictions of the future. Emma stands for the cost of immoral actions. Whether God or the taxman, someone gets paid. A compendium of archetypal characters we know and love, dressed in 3D emotion, vivid characterization; speaking words precise and poetic. Pretty near perfect!

Fantastic!

It has been over 30 years since I read Madame Bovary in High School French class. Back then she seemed inexplicalbly crazed. What an unbelievable difference revisiting the story as a 50+ year old with some world experience behind me. Fascinating story, wonderfully read. I enjoyed this very much.

Well

Throughout I was never sure if I wanted to keep listening but for whatever reason I did and finished. Emma was depressed and I’m kinda just sad now.

Terrible French Accent

Flaubert is brilliant. But the pronunciation by the reader was unforgivable. She makes “grande rue” sound like “grand roux” and “Bovary” sound like “Boveury.” For such a French language masterpiece, a reader competent in French is necessary!