Madame Bovary

By: Gustave Flaubert, Gerard Hopkins - translator

Narrated by: Ronald Pickup

Length: 15 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Exclusively from Audible

Before marrying, Emma Bovary believed she would enter a life of luxury and passion like the sentimental stories she'd read in her novels and magazines. Now married to an ordinary country doctor her life is not the romantic ideal she imagined and seeks an escape through having extra-marital affairs. This devastating spiral into deceit and despair leads to catastrophic consequences.

Emma Bovary continues to be enjoyed to this day because of its profound humanity, still as fresh today as when it was first written. But when first released in instalments in the Revue de Paris, the French government accused Flaubert of obscenity. However, the trial that followed and Flaubert's acquittal, only served to increase interest in the story when released as a book, leading to it becoming a best seller in 1857.

Considered Flaubert's masterpiece, the audiobook is an important piece of literary realism and one of the most influential literary works in history. It remains unsurpassed in its unveiling of character and society with its wonderfully subtle understanding of human emotions.

Translated by Gerard Hopkins.

Narrator Biography

Ronald Pickup has been in over 150 films and television series. His films include The Time of Their Lives, The Have-Nots, Schadenfreude, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Prince of Persia, Sands of Time, and Greyfriars Bobby. His television includes The Crown, Call the Midwife, Downton Abbey, Atlantis, Coronation Street, Pram Face, Parade's End, Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Holby City, Foyle's War, Cambridge Spies, and Orwell on Jura (nominated Best Actor BAFTA).

Ronald Pickup's theatrical credits include Heartbreak House (Chichester Festival Theatre), Waiting For Godot (Haymarket Theatre, West End), Uncle Vanya (The Rose Theatre, Kingston), Look Back in Anger (Theatre Royal, Bath), Proof (Donmar Warehouse), and Amy's View (National Theatre and NY- nominated Best Supporting Actor Olivier).

Public Domain (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

lol funny

I’ve read this book many times and found it immensely sad, but this performance made me lol. I never realized how hilarious this book was — particularly the scene in Rouen Cathedral “Visitors must leave by the North entrance!” and Homais’ hissy fit over poor Justin’s porn “I’m not saying this is a bad book… it is written by a doctor and contains useful information” The actor really makes this book, which can be downright dismal, fun.

Wonderful!

Where does Madame Bovary rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is such a wonderful reading by Ronald Pickup - and of course, the story is a classic for good reason. I did not want it to finish...highly recommended!

It's Ok.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Ronald Pickup?

The narrator did a good job.

Any additional comments?

I thought this book was just ok. Hard to follow at times.

Tragic love

A cautionary tale of love, sometimes even if you love someone it isn't enough to make the marriage work.

The Lady who Loved too Well

Flaubert's extraordinary language thunders through in this excellent English translation of a woman whose ambitious love could not be contained by her out-of-the-way village. The tale excels in subtle characterization of individuals whom you've met before.
Ronald Pickup, the reader, is one of the very best you'll hear. His dramatic intonations give life to the characters and his pronunciation convinces you of authenticity. He's the perfectly complement to Flaubert.

Your heart beats faster

If you want an experience. If you want to know a deadly passion then this is a book for you.

Sensational in its time and still goood

Recently read Gore Vidal's 1876 and the main character mentioned this book several times. I can definitely see why it was so controversial at the time. It is so cool to hear someone describe seeing a woman's ankles in sexual terms. A different time.

Vivid, real, and beautifully read

This timeless story is read beautifully and engagingly by Ronald Pickup. His interpretation and reading made me laugh out loud while driving through oppressive traffic. I strongly recommend this audiobook based upon both the translation and the narration.

Classic!

This narration is fantastic. The narrator picks up on every nuance for each characted. A great classic cautionary tale.

Hard to leave a modern perspective behind

Another classic finally moves off the TBR list. The approach to description of everyday village life reminded me of Anna Karenina, and of course so did the woman paying the ultimate price for choosing romanticism over the mind-numbing duty that was demanded of her at the time. It's difficult not to read this book through a modern lens and deplore a world where a financial predator can destroy two generations of an entire family, and where medical practice was so reckless. Flaubert's great genius in showing us all of the details that would drive Emma to try to escape stands the test of time, but leaves a modern reader relieved that life is a little safer now.

Narrator does a good job with the material and makes it accessible to a modern ear.