Category Archives: French Literature

100 Great French Books: From the Middle Ages to the Present by Lance Donaldson-Evans

Synopsis: A catalog of Gallic must-reads from Le Chanson de Roland through The Possibility of an Island by Michel Houellebecq. Review: 100 Great French Books: From the Middle Ages to the Present is such a fine addition to my permanent library. I love lists, especially ones recommending books to me! I will definitely be working my way through this one. I am no expert on French literature, but author and U. Penn professor Lance Donaldson-Evans was knighted in France for his contributions to spreading French…

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Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

Synopsis: Bored with her marriage to a dull country doctor, Emma Bovary spins fantasy into adultery and rampant overspending. Review: Ooh-la-la! What a great read! I must say I was surprised at how contemporary this novel felt. Written in 1857, Madame Bovary is a psychological tour-de-force. Emma’s story is about much more than adultery, and it’s far more than just a cautionary tale. When Flaubert said, “Who is Emma Bovary? I am Emma Bovary,” he was speaking for all of us. The book shows how…

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