Bouvard and Pécuchet (A Satirical Novel) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. From the prolific French writer, known for his debut novel Madame Bovary and for his short stories such as Three Tales, November and A Simple HeartBy Gustave Flaubert
Length14h
About this audiobook
Bouvard and Pécuchet is Flaubert's unfinished comic masterpiece, a vast satire of nineteenth-century knowledge and bourgeois confidence. Its two Parisian copyists, suddenly liberated by an inheritance, retire to the countryside and attempt, one discipline after another—agriculture, chemistry, medicine, history, education, politics, religion—to master the world through books. Written in Flaubert's precise, ironic prose, the novel transforms encyclopedic learning into farce, exposing the clichés, contradictions, and pretensions of modern intellectual culture. Gustave Flaubert, already renowned for Madame Bovary and Sentimental Education, spent his final years obsessively researching this work, compiling notes on scientific manuals, philosophical systems, pedagogical theories, and received ideas. His lifelong hatred of stupidity—especially respectable, well-documented stupidity—finds here its most ambitious form. Bouvard and Pécuchet reflects Flaubert's skepticism toward progress, positivism, and the social authority of knowledge, while also revealing his fascination with the very systems he mocks. This novel is recommended to readers interested in literary satire, the history of ideas, and the comic failures of human certainty. Demanding yet delightfully absurd, it rewards those who appreciate intellectual comedy, stylistic rigor, and fiction that questions whether knowledge enlightens us—or merely gives error more elaborate disguises.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.8 (4.6K)
Includes Goodreads
GenreHumor, Literary Classics
Length14 hrs
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 11, 2015
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chaptersShow less
6Chapter I. Kindred Souls.
7Chapter II. Experiments in Agriculture.
8Chapter III. Amateur Chemists.
9Chapter IV. Researches in Archæology.
10Chapter V. Romance and the Drama.
11Chapter VI. Revolt of the People.
12Chapter VII. “Unlucky in Love.”
13Chapter VIII. New Diversions.
14Chapter IX. Sons of the Church.
15Chapter X. Lessons in Art and Science.
16Conference
17Analysis
18Reflection
19Memorable Quotes
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