Madame Bovary

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert               Audiobook:  12 hours, 35 minutes       Paperback Book:  304 pages               

Though I knew of this book I had not read it until now.    It had some elements of what I had expected but the story was a lot different than I had thought.    The woman, Emma married a doctor who loved her with all of his heart.   Emma had built up a lot of expectations in her mind of what her life would become as the wife of Monsieur Bovary.     She thought it would be going to lots of parties,  wearing beautiful clothes and jewels, filled with utter happiness, luxury and passionate love.    When the reality that while they were a couple of means but they were not exorbitantly rich sunk in, she still tended to overspend to accommodate what she thought she should have and to play at status.   So began a financial mountain of debt that would keep growing without her husband knowing (until much later) as she bought lavish accoutrements on credit around town.   Furniture, clothes, hats, jewelry whatever she thought would please her but never did after the thrill of getting it passed.   Then she thought her husband should ravish her and be this remarkable lover attentive to her every desire, but, being the local doctor, he worked long hours for little pay as the locals were not a wealthy bunch and he was too kind to press for payment from those who couldn’t possibly pay but still required medical help.    He was not without wealthy clients as well which did manage to pay the bills and his father owned property and he came from a well to do background.   Emma in her willful ways searching for something to fill the unquenchable urges in her life at her dissatisfaction with everything, not getting enough attention though her husband did adore her, nothing being able to fulfill her, buying an expensive horse to ride then not wanting it because it did not take away her craving for more in life.   She began to delight in the attention of other men in town who lavished praise and compliments on her beauty, etc.    Her husband was oblivious to what was going on and simply enjoyed having his trophy wife on his arm.   Emma being manic, with a big OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) issue instead of discussing how she would like a little more attention from her husband, began to look outside her marriage for the fulfillment of her unmet desires.   She begins seeing the local men in a different light and so begins a torrid affair.    There are many more OCD events along her way and the poor doctor remains her ever faithful servant seeing her only as the angelic reflection of his hearts desires.   He feels so lucky to have her, unfortunately he is not the only one to have her.    Ignorance is bliss it is said.  In a way coming to the story as an older reader, the idea of unhappiness with the circumstances of one’s life is something understandable.    Picking up with rogues because they are exciting and a challenge more so than the guy who treats you like a loving puppy, I think we can all get the gist of whether we agree with the behavior or not, the scenario changes when the person is married though and that is the conundrum of Madame Bovary though, not so much in her case as she finds ways to lie and  conceal her actions and content herself that she is meeting her needs at least until things go too far.   Lots of pizzazz throughout to keep the reader engaged to find out what Madame Bovary’s next move will be.    A good read.    I was surprised at many of the what I would consider modern finds in medicine are discussed here and this was written long before any of the procedures and cures were common knowledge or executed in the surgical field.   The reader will have many moments of deep thought from the drama that takes place in this novel.    A very good read on a lady that will not easily be categorized.     Bien joue’, Flaubert.   (Well done, Flaubert.)   You are quite in touch with the feminine mind.