Lounge of Tomorrow - View Single Post - First LoT book club discussion: Madame Bovary

Not Afraid · 07-11-2006, 12:42 PM

I finished on THursday, but had such an eventful weekend I haven't had much time to post about it.

First of all, the 3 parts of this book are so distinct to me in their style, action and interest. Part one was difficult to get through, while part two was better and part three was damned near exciting!

I've been reading so much contemporary fiction recently that it was difficult for me to "get into" the period of French Enlightment. I probably should've given myself more historical context before reading the book, which would've increased my initial enjoyment of the work. As it was, I didn't do that until afterwards but it helped to put things in place.

I loved Part Three. I thought many of the key scenes were fantasticly written and evoked such visuals. I became one of the townspeople who knew everything that was going on, paid attention with interest, but never discussed openly what was happening in reality. As a result, I never completely identified with any of the characters, not did I actually like them (but I did understand Emma on a certain base level).

The death scene brought to mind scenes from classic gothic novels and the first "encounter" of Leon and Emma was quite humerous. There is some really fantastic writing in Part three.

Although I felt that Emma was not a very rich character, I could relate to her in certain ways. It is very tempting and easy to get caught up in romantic notions of passion and the excitement of the seduction. I could relate to her desire for that ultimate feeling of passion and ecstacy. It can be like heroin, but it is very unrealiztic to expect to stay in that state of mond for an extended period of time. Emma was an addict and, as she got what she desired, she only wanted more. More passion, more money, more attention, more more more. Not very realistic, but I've attempted the same thing at times. So, while I was frustrated with her character, I could see the unhealthyness of her situation as she drifted further and further away from reality.

Charles was someone I wanted to hit upside the head. Even before he met mma, his Mother was making me mad. He was such milch toast that it was frustrating throughout the book.

I find it very interesting that Flaubery was taken to court over the publication of this work (first as a seriel publication of a Parisian journal). From the little I know about French life of that period, what he was describing was not very unusual. What he did that ws unusual was talk about it. I think the "proper" reaction of the time was to pretend these immoral activities didn't exist not to openly discuss it. Not much different than SOP of today in certain sectors.

Interesting read. I'm very glad I read it because I wouldn't have done it on my own.

I will go back and read the comments of others now that I have finished and may comment further if I find something intriguing to comment on.

07-11-2006, 12:42 PM	#45
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I finished on THursday, but had such an eventful weekend I haven't had much time to post about it. First of all, the 3 parts of this book are so distinct to me in their style, action and interest. Part one was difficult to get through, while part two was better and part three was damned near exciting! I've been reading so much contemporary fiction recently that it was difficult for me to "get into" the period of French Enlightment. I probably should've given myself more historical context before reading the book, which would've increased my initial enjoyment of the work. As it was, I didn't do that until afterwards but it helped to put things in place. I loved Part Three. I thought many of the key scenes were fantasticly written and evoked such visuals. I became one of the townspeople who knew everything that was going on, paid attention with interest, but never discussed openly what was happening in reality. As a result, I never completely identified with any of the characters, not did I actually like them (but I did understand Emma on a certain base level). The death scene brought to mind scenes from classic gothic novels and the first "encounter" of Leon and Emma was quite humerous. There is some really fantastic writing in Part three. Although I felt that Emma was not a very rich character, I could relate to her in certain ways. It is very tempting and easy to get caught up in romantic notions of passion and the excitement of the seduction. I could relate to her desire for that ultimate feeling of passion and ecstacy. It can be like heroin, but it is very unrealiztic to expect to stay in that state of mond for an extended period of time. Emma was an addict and, as she got what she desired, she only wanted more. More passion, more money, more attention, more more more. Not very realistic, but I've attempted the same thing at times. So, while I was frustrated with her character, I could see the unhealthyness of her situation as she drifted further and further away from reality. Charles was someone I wanted to hit upside the head. Even before he met mma, his Mother was making me mad. He was such milch toast that it was frustrating throughout the book. I find it very interesting that Flaubery was taken to court over the publication of this work (first as a seriel publication of a Parisian journal). From the little I know about French life of that period, what he was describing was not very unusual. What he did that ws unusual was talk about it. I think the "proper" reaction of the time was to pretend these immoral activities didn't exist not to openly discuss it. Not much different than SOP of today in certain sectors. Interesting read. I'm very glad I read it because I wouldn't have done it on my own. I will go back and read the comments of others now that I have finished and may comment further if I find something intriguing to comment on.
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