Sentimental Education

By: Gustave Flaubert

Narrated by: Michael Maloney

Frederic Moreau is a law student returning home to Normandy from Paris when he first notices Mme Arnoux, a slender, dark woman several years older than himself. It is the beginning of an infatuation that will last a lifetime. He befriends her husband, an influential businessman, and their paths cross and re-cross over the years. Through financial upheaval, political turmoil, and countless affairs, Mme Arnoux remains the constant, unattainable love of Moreau’s life.

Based on Flaubert’s own youthful passion for an older woman, Sentimental Education blends love story, historical authenticity, and satire to create one of the greatest French novels of the 19th century.

Public Domain (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

brilliant narration! very good.

the only thing is that the narration is not entirly synced with the kindle version

Very Well Narrated, A Very Interesting, But At Times A Tedious Work

This work is about life in France in the 19th century among the upper social classes. There were parts of the novel I found entertaining and interesting. There were other times I found the work tedious. The writing is mostly delicate with only illusions made to intimate moments. There were moments of great sensitivity and other times people seemed crass and completely insensitive. I did enjoy the way the end of the story was written, but it was a long time getting there. Thank You….

Tedious

Normally I like to get my teeth into a 'big' book, but not this time. Far too much rather boring detail of the pathetic emotional career of one of life's losers

Flaubert's Notebook for Bovary

I mean, it's Flaubert, so hard to not just say it's all brilliant. I tried to read the book (translation) and kept getting interrupted. So I decided to listen. The reading was good! Even in English translation, Flaubert is a master of the sentence. I think of The Way We Live Now (Trollope) after listening to this. Read them together : ) Some really pithy gems of political commentary throughout this novel. And, in the end, a slice of life. Character wise, we get close to Frederick, but the others are rather out of a painting. Except maybe his best friend, at the end. We see him.

Good, needs historical context

This is a remarkably well written book with depth and commentary which will probably take several successive readings for me to parse out. It feels very modern while also painting a very vivid picture of 19th century Paris. You may want to brush up on your French history before tackling this book. It takes place during the years leading up to the February Revolution in 1848.

Flaubert said he wanted to write a moral history of the men of his generation. As he said, "It's a book about love, about passion; but passion such as can exist nowadays--that is to say, inactive." I couldn't say it better myself.