Œuvres complètes de Gustave Flaubert, tome

Œuvres complètes de Gustave Flaubert, tome 3: L’éducation sentimentale, v. 1 (French)

“L’Education Sentimentale” is a novel by Gustave Flaubert, published in 1869.

It is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of French literature, and it offers a vivid and compelling portrait of life in France during the mid-19th century.

The novel tells the story of Frederic Moreau, a young man from a provincial town who is determined to make his mark on the world. Frederic is a dreamer and an idealist, and he longs for adventure, romance, and intellectual stimulation. He moves to Paris in the hope of finding these things, and the novel follows his journey as he navigates the complexities of love, politics, and society in the turbulent years leading up to the revolution of 1848.

The novel is notable for its portrayal of the social and political climate of the mid-19th century. Flaubert was deeply interested in the events and movements that shaped his time, and “L’Education Sentimentale” offers a powerful and nuanced critique of French society and politics during this period.

One of the most striking aspects of the novel is its portrayal of the disillusionment and despair that many young people experienced during this time. Frederic, like many of his contemporaries, is deeply disillusioned with the state of the world and the failure of the political and social systems to meet the needs of ordinary people. He is torn between his ideals and his desire for personal success and happiness, and he struggles to find meaning and purpose in a world that seems to have lost its way.

Throughout the novel, Flaubert explores themes of love, desire, ambition, and the search for identity. Frederic’s romantic entanglements, in particular, offer a rich and nuanced portrayal of the complexities of love and desire. He falls in love with a beautiful young woman named Madame Arnoux, but their relationship is complicated by their social status and the pressures of their respective families. Frederic’s love for Madame Arnoux becomes a central focus of the novel, and it drives much of the action and emotional intensity of the story.

“L’Education Sentimentale” is also notable for its powerful and evocative prose style. Flaubert was a master of the written word, and his writing is both beautiful and precise. He has a gift for capturing the subtle nuances of human emotion and behavior, and he brings his characters to life with remarkable clarity and depth.

Overall, “L’Education Sentimentale” is a masterpiece of French literature, and it continues to captivate readers today. It offers a powerful and compelling portrait of life in 19th-century France, and it explores themes that are still relevant today. It is a must-read for anyone who loves great literature and wants to gain a deeper understanding of the human experience.