On this day in 1856 the first part of
Madame Bovary was published in the
Revue de Paris, a French literary magazine.
The novel, about the romantic illusions of a country doctor's wife and her adulterous affairs, scandalized French traditionalists - so much so that its author,
Gustave Flaubert complete with fine moustache, was brought to trial for obscenity in 1857. He was acquitted, the book became a popular success and Flaubert's reputation as one of the most popular of literary geniuses was established.
For the Silksoundbooks unabridged audiobook of
Madame Bovary we chose the Eleanor Marx Aveling translation which was published in 1918 in New York. It’s a classically respected version, but it’s also got the added interest of Eleanor being
Karl Marx’s youngest child – educated by him at home, they used to chatter away in French together whilst deciding on the future of the working man…and more importantly for Madam Bovary, a woman!
And to read it ? Who else but
Julie Christie, the iconic British actress and star of so many great movies -
Doctor Zhivago, Far From The Madding Crowd, The Go-Between, Heaven Can Wait... A great story and a great actress - what a fabulous combination for you iPod !
