About
Gustave Flaubert, born December 12, 1821, was a highly influential French novelist renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, precise language, and commitment to realism. He is widely considered one of the greatest novelists in Western literature. Flaubert's dedication to finding le mot juste (the right word) and his unflinching portrayal of human nature shaped the development of the modern novel.
Before Fame
Flaubert spent his early years in Rouen, France, where his father was a prominent surgeon. He displayed an early interest in literature, beginning to write at the age of eight. He later moved to Paris to study law, but he soon abandoned his legal studies to pursue his passion for writing. This early period of his life, marked by intellectual exploration and personal struggles, laid the foundation for his later literary achievements.
Career Highlights
Flaubert's most celebrated work is Madame Bovary (1857), a groundbreaking novel that tells the story of Emma Bovary, a restless and disillusioned woman trapped in a provincial marriage. The novel's realistic portrayal of adultery and its critical depiction of bourgeois society sparked controversy upon its publication, leading to an obscenity trial. Despite the initial controversy, Madame Bovary has become a classic of world literature. Other notable works include Memoirs of a Madman, Sentimental Education, a semi-autobiographical novel exploring themes of love, loss, and disillusionment, and Le Chateau des Coeurs.
Trivia
- Flaubert was a perfectionist writer, known for his painstaking revisions and his insistence on finding the perfect word for every sentence.
- His work was influenced by both romanticism and realism.
- He was dared by friends to write in a more realistic style, which led to the creation of Madame Bovary.
Family Life
Flaubert had a notable romantic relationship with the poet Louise Colet throughout the 1840s and 1850s. He was also known for his frequent encounters with prostitutes, both male and female.
