A Work In Progress discussion

Thoughts on this book?

I just started reading this. Its easy to understand and I love French Culture!

I just finished this book!! OMG I am the modern dayMadame Bovary. I'm just like her ... a dreamer... a hustler ... a lover ... The only thing I don't like is her ending it all the way she did ... a coward.

Omg Jae, you're like, a reading machine!!! I'm really proud of you and french stuff is like automatically more chic and cult!!
It's on my tbr list... T.T"

haha .... It was really good I couldn't put it down... there are some slow spots .... but it's worth it it finish it.

Hi! I just got to part 3 and I'm really curious what MB it getting into now. Leon just came back into her life so, more scandals?? I really hope so!

Haha .. my lips are sealed.. but yes more and more ... can't wait til u finish .. I want to know your thoughts on the ending.

More and more? My god, does that woman have no morals? *throws hand theatrical on forehead*

haha ... ummm I'm thinking no none ... ending is quite ... sad...

Got the book back from my parents yesterday and started again today. I'm at chapter 7 of part 3 and the bailiff just showed up at the house. She really is just ruining everybody isn't she? Wow. pretty shocking stuff considering the time it was written in.

I know! Keep going the end is sad :(

Just finished it. What a terribly sad ending. Poor Berthe!!
I think the book overall is very strong, it gives a realistic version of how things (sometimes) were for women in that time I think. Not verybody can have a Jane Austen ending of course.
I do have to say that I never like Madame B in the book as person, on no occasion did I think "Yes, she is right" or "that's better". I did very much like Léon, although technically he's no better. I do admire the way Flaubert creates (un)likeable characters.

Yes, I agree! and it was so unlike the times to see a woman behave like that! And she took the cowards way out rather than face her problems. I agree poor Berthe! I wish there was a second book portraying her life. She probably needs up in a horrible situation because her mother was so greedy...

Women are still subjected to men in various aspects, I think. Sad but true!
All I have to say is: bring on some books with happy endings!! ;)
Although... I'm looking forward to The Fault in Ours Stars, wich everyone says has a sad end(but predictable from the begining, so I'm not spoiling anything I swear!).

Haha I know... I'm glad you haven't read it either. I'm told 'everyone' has read it .. lol .... except me and you :P

Mad B. is sooo sad I'm mad at her for not facing her problems!

Well, we'll read it then! And talk about it too!
Sometimes is easier that way, or the person can't take it, right? :/

I guess ... I just think it was selfish ... look at all the people she hurt in the aftermath

Yes we can talk about it :) ... finally lol

That's the thing! Some people are just selfish, reckless and/or clueless (I don't think that was the case here, anyways). I guess what makes us mad about it is that those things are entirely possible. She doesn't fly or anything, I mean, we can use or be used by people to get what we/they want, it happens! It's not a nice thing to think about, but it does! Although we definetely should be conscious of our actions... Even if we choose to be selfish!
She's a great character, see? It works, it messes with our heads!! She's mean so I'm automatically trying to find something good about it!!

Well I like her character because she is just trying to find happiness, but she thinks she deserves all these things. She doesn't, nobody just deserves things from nothing. She doesn't get that and I think she was selfish, she didn't mean to be, she wasn't thinking past right now, but that doesn't matter because in the end she ruined Charles' live and her daughters.