The History of Literature

721 Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert (The #23 Greatest Book of All Time)

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Jul 31, 2025
Dive into the world of Gustave Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary,' exploring its controversial themes and impact on literature. Discover how Flaubert's meticulous writing revolutionized author expectations and inspired future novelists. Experience the emotional turmoil of the characters and Flaubert's critical eye on bourgeois culture. Reflect on personal evolution through literature, including transformative travels and connections to art and identity. Join a community of literature lovers on a literary journey, with upcoming travel experiences on the horizon!
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INSIGHT

Flaubert’s Pursuit of Perfect Prose

  • Gustave Flaubert labored intensely over each word, aiming for prose as precise and rhythmic as poetry.
  • He set a new standard for novelists, making perfecting language paramount to literary art.
INSIGHT

Respecting Readers With Precision

  • Flaubert demanded utmost respect for readers by writing only exactly the right word in the right place.
  • His example shaped modern novelists who aim to respect readers' time and craft meticulously.
ANECDOTE

Slow Reading With Mike Palindrome

  • Mike Palindrome is enjoying a slow reading of Madame Bovary while visiting Flaubert's hometown Rouen.
  • He highlights the book's subtle risks, exquisite details, humor, and critique of bourgeois society.
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