Thank you! I read the Lydia Davis translation and thought it was **superb**. I might claim Emma as the first modern novel, but agree this is also seminal.
I love Lydia Davis's _The End of the Story_, Henry. I don't have her translation of Madam Bovary but, on your recommendation, I will now get it and read it. Thank you for the rec. The novel _Madam Bovary_ itself means so much to me--such a powerful influence on literature and style and conflict and character.
There is a resonance between Flaubert's "gueuloir" and John Jarndyce's "Growlery" from Dickens' Bleak House. One so emotional and French, the other much more reserved, British.
Thanks for this post. I'm currently reading Bovary.
Wonderful piece. You write beautifully. Reading Bovary was one of the great experiences of my reading life. I'm fairly widely read, but not deeply, so it struck me as something completely unlike anything I had read before. It was like watching a planet-sized trebuchet ratcheting up to take some giant perfect narrative shot; the Nabokov lectures on it were a perfect companion. Will certainly read the letters now. Again, great piece, cheers.
Certainly Flaubert's character brings forward the definition of who is a 'normal' person. Persons with apparently bizzare behaviours become excellent writers, or artists. They have insights into the soul which 'ordinary' people do not have. F. is an excellent example but hardly the only one. Here are a few who come into my mind first : Josef Roth, Junichiro Tanizaki, Yukio Mishima. Extreme phantasies create unusual feelings which once put in writing get many readers.
imo, relating to her is not entirely the point, but as you carry on you may find your mind changing. if you have read Anna Karenina, that is a useful comaprison
I remember "getting" Anna right away. It may be a result of my "male literary gaze." I fell in literary love with Anna from her very first appearance, I think at the ball. While Emma leaves me cold.
Tolstoy, of course, does not want you to fall in love with Anna---she takes over, but he wants you to see through that appeal.
Emma is less glamorous than Anna, to begin with; she is a rural girl, corrupted by boring, bourgeoise life and seduced by her own daydreams, by romance novels, and by fine clothes. Flaubert knew the dangerous power in himself of being seduced into your own imagination, which is what gives Bovary its power. To relate to Emma, we must not fall in love with her, as such, but share in her absorption in her own imaginative desires.
I have so many notes on my copy of Madam Bovary: the first modern novel. Terrific essay about Flaubert, Sontag and art and style.
Thank you! I read the Lydia Davis translation and thought it was **superb**. I might claim Emma as the first modern novel, but agree this is also seminal.
I love Lydia Davis's _The End of the Story_, Henry. I don't have her translation of Madam Bovary but, on your recommendation, I will now get it and read it. Thank you for the rec. The novel _Madam Bovary_ itself means so much to me--such a powerful influence on literature and style and conflict and character.
Her essays and stories are splendid also. V good about translation among other things.
Bought it Kindle and paperback--will be back, I hope to discuss the translation with you, perhaps.
Sure! My French is… not very good, but always happy to discuss!
There is a resonance between Flaubert's "gueuloir" and John Jarndyce's "Growlery" from Dickens' Bleak House. One so emotional and French, the other much more reserved, British.
Thanks for this post. I'm currently reading Bovary.
Oh I like that comparison, yes. What do you think of Bovary??
Wow, that first sentence pulled me in! Now I need to read Mme. Bovary.
Wonderful! Enjoy it!
Wonderful piece. You write beautifully. Reading Bovary was one of the great experiences of my reading life. I'm fairly widely read, but not deeply, so it struck me as something completely unlike anything I had read before. It was like watching a planet-sized trebuchet ratcheting up to take some giant perfect narrative shot; the Nabokov lectures on it were a perfect companion. Will certainly read the letters now. Again, great piece, cheers.
ah thank you! I must confess, I have not read those lectures... will do so soon.
They're incredibly lucid and surprisingly (at least to me) accessible. Also very much in line with your purpose on this Substack
Henry, I haven't read a word of Flaubert. Your essay compels me to. A beautiful, engaging read.
I’m so pleased to hear it—do lmk what you think
Will do!
I have to reread Madame Bovary now.
Yes!
Certainly Flaubert's character brings forward the definition of who is a 'normal' person. Persons with apparently bizzare behaviours become excellent writers, or artists. They have insights into the soul which 'ordinary' people do not have. F. is an excellent example but hardly the only one. Here are a few who come into my mind first : Josef Roth, Junichiro Tanizaki, Yukio Mishima. Extreme phantasies create unusual feelings which once put in writing get many readers.
Thanks Henry. I haven't read AK in many years so I may feel differently when I read it again.
Thanks for the articles you linked to. I look forward to reading them.
I'm reading Lydia Davis's translation of Bovary. I thought her translation of Swann's Way was an improvementover previous ones.
Do you have favorite translations of these two books?
Davis is right for Bovary. I actually don’t know the modern AK translations but they are well regarded I believe. I read Garnett.
The writing is precise and the details masterful. But I'm having a hard time relating to Emma. I'm only a third in.
imo, relating to her is not entirely the point, but as you carry on you may find your mind changing. if you have read Anna Karenina, that is a useful comaprison
I remember "getting" Anna right away. It may be a result of my "male literary gaze." I fell in literary love with Anna from her very first appearance, I think at the ball. While Emma leaves me cold.
Which translation are you reading?
Tolstoy, of course, does not want you to fall in love with Anna---she takes over, but he wants you to see through that appeal.
Emma is less glamorous than Anna, to begin with; she is a rural girl, corrupted by boring, bourgeoise life and seduced by her own daydreams, by romance novels, and by fine clothes. Flaubert knew the dangerous power in himself of being seduced into your own imagination, which is what gives Bovary its power. To relate to Emma, we must not fall in love with her, as such, but share in her absorption in her own imaginative desires.
I strongly recommend this review of Flaubert: https://newrepublic.com/article/177834/flaubert-versus-world-nyrb-letters-review
And I like this essay about AK very much: https://www.commentary.org/articles/gary-morson/moral-urgency-anna-karenina/
Great post. I agree that the letters are wonderful. I'd say that Sentimental Education is also a great novel.
I find it much more dull, which is very much my failing.
This essay is such a searing insight - and critique - of the cruelty of the artist’s craft and the ruins which genius often leaves behind.
Thank you for this.
Glad you liked it!
Not just geniuses!