Geluk is onmogelijk

by Gustave Flaubert, Edu Borger (Translator)

An acknowledged master of translation, Francis Steegmuller has given us by far the most generous and varied selection of Flaubert's letters in English. He presents these with an engrossing narrative that places them in the context of the writer's life and times. Throughout this exposition in Flaubert's own words of his views on life, literature, and the passions, readers of his novels will be powerfully reminded of the fertility of his genius, and delighted by his poetic enthusiasm. Flaubert's letters are documents of life and art; lovers of literature and of the literary adventure can rejoice in this edition.

Genres: Nonfiction, France, Autobiography

247 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Gustave Flaubert was a French novelist. He has been considered the leading exponent of literary realism in his country and abroad. According to the literary theorist Kornelije Kvas, "in Flaubert, realism strives for formal perfection, so the presentation of reality tends to be neutral, emphasizing the values and importance of style as an objective method of presenting reality". He is known especially for his debut novel Madame Bovary (1857), his Correspondence, and his scrupulous devotion to his style and aesthetics. The celebrated short story writer Guy de Maupassant was a protégé of Flaubert.

Reviews

[Ron Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gustave Flaubert and Ivan Turgenev are two of my favorite writers; Madame Bovary and The Hunter’s Sketches are two of my favorite books.

This book consists of an edited selection of Flaubert’s later (post-Bovary) letters, including his correspondence with George Sand. Many of his letters are delightful, and I must say I rather enjoy the fact that, on occasion, he can be stupendously potty-mouthed! 😊

In his later years, he developed a habitual melancholy and a tendency to endless lamentation, which is unappealing after many repetitions. It’s interesting that, despite his disinterest in politicians and politics, he was astute enough to foresee the coming of a World War and the debilitating effects of new technologies.

I’ll keep an eye out for his early letters to see how they compare.

[Melanie O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is such a big old bitch, love this guy

[Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this out of order before the first volume. Acquired after reading about his letters in Flaubert's Parrot just over a year ago. His correspondence with Geo. Sand about Art, literature and the author's place in the creation of the same is breathtaking. Really rewarding reading.

[Hans Moerland · Rating 5 out of 5]

In één woord: verslavend, de brieven van Flaubert.