The Temptation of Saint Anthony (Historical Novel) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. A Visionary Desert Trial of Faith, Heresy, Desire, and Early Christian AsceticismBy Gustave Flaubert
Length6h 50m
About this audiobook
The Temptation of Saint Anthony is Flaubert's visionary reimagining of the fourth-century hermit's night of spiritual trial in the Egyptian desert. Less a conventional historical novel than a dramatic prose poem, it unfolds as a procession of hallucinations: heresies, pagan gods, monstrous forms, scientific speculations, and erotic phantoms confront the saint's faith. Its luxuriant, incantatory style places it between Romantic spectacle and Symbolist dream, while its erudition reflects nineteenth-century debates over religion, knowledge, and desire. Gustave Flaubert returned to this work throughout his career, revising it across decades before its 1874 publication. Known for the disciplined realism of Madame Bovary, he was equally drawn to antiquity, mysticism, and encyclopedic learning. His travels in the East, hostility to bourgeois complacency, and fascination with the instability of belief all inform the book's strange grandeur and intellectual restlessness. Readers seeking plot-driven realism may be startled, but those receptive to philosophical fiction, religious imagination, and verbal splendor will find it extraordinary. It is essential Flaubert: severe, sensuous, learned, and daringly modern.
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
GenreChristian & Inspirational, Literary Classics
Length6 hrs 50 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 11, 2015
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
7The Temptation of Saint Anthony (Historical Novel) (pt. 2)
2Introduction
8The Temptation of Saint Anthony (Historical Novel) (pt. 3)
3Synopsis
9Analysis
4Historical Context
10Reflection
5Author Biography
11Memorable Quotes
Show all chaptersShow less
6The Temptation of Saint Anthony (Historical Novel) (pt. 1)
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