Gustave Flaubert: Madame Bovary (2006, 1st World Library)
E-book
English language
Published Oct. 29, 2006 by 1st World Library.
From the book:We were in class when the head-master came in, followed by a "new fellow," not wearing the school uniform, and a school servant carrying a large desk. Those who had been asleep woke up, and every one rose as if just surprised at his work. The head-master made a sign to us to sit down. Then, turning to the class-master, he said to him in a low voice - "Monsieur Roger, here is a pupil whom I recommend to your care; he'll be in the second. If his work and conduct are satisfactory, he will go into one of the upper classes, as becomes his age." The "new fellow," standing in the corner behind the door so that he could hardly be seen, was a country lad of about fifteen, and taller than any of us. His hair was cut square on his forehead like a village chorister's; …
From the book:We were in class when the head-master came in, followed by a "new fellow," not wearing the school uniform, and a school servant carrying a large desk. Those who had been asleep woke up, and every one rose as if just surprised at his work. The head-master made a sign to us to sit down. Then, turning to the class-master, he said to him in a low voice - "Monsieur Roger, here is a pupil whom I recommend to your care; he'll be in the second. If his work and conduct are satisfactory, he will go into one of the upper classes, as becomes his age." The "new fellow," standing in the corner behind the door so that he could hardly be seen, was a country lad of about fifteen, and taller than any of us. His hair was cut square on his forehead like a village chorister's; he looked reliable, but very ill at ease. Although he was not broad-shouldered, his short school jacket of green cloth with black buttons must have been tight about the arm-holes, and showed at the opening of the cuffs red wrists accustomed to being bare. His legs, in blue stockings, looked out from beneath yellow trousers, drawn tight by braces, He wore stout, ill-cleaned, hob-nailed boots.
Präzise, zum Teil auch ein wenig bissig, beschrieben. Der Ehebruch wird so angedeutet, dass man genau weiß, was Sache ist, ohne dass es zu genau ausgesprochen oder aber drumherumgeeiert wird. Die Charaktere sind schön ausgearbeitet. Das Ende finde ich besonders bemerkenswert und eindrücklich dargestellt.
This story is haunting--and I finally know what that means. It's so well-written that I could actually feel Madame Bovary's boredom and inner despair.
There is a strong message here, as well, about what ennui can do. In this case, it lead to actions that not only ruined Madame Bovary's life, but that of her family, as well. Very tragic.
“Ennui has made more gamblers than avarice, more drunkards than thirst, and perhaps as many suicides as despair.”
(Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)
This story is haunting--and I finally know what that means. It's so well-written that I could actually feel Madame Bovary's boredom and inner despair.
There is a strong message here, as well, about what ennui can do. In this case, it lead to actions that not only ruined Madame Bovary's life, but that of her family, as well. Very tragic.
“Ennui has made more gamblers than avarice, more drunkards than thirst, and perhaps as many suicides as despair.”
(Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.)
