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Title: You won't be surprised.
Review: This novel is exactly what you think it might be. Nothing more, nothing less.I decided to pick up Madame Bovary at a library sale after having read Nabokov (in Speak, Memory) gush about Flaubert's linguistic mastery. Unfortunately, I don't speak French and, of course, quickly found that linguistic mastery does not necessarily transcend language (sometimes, though - Eco, for instance).It might be an important work of literature - historically. And Flaubert seemed to do an excellent job of inventively portraying the many revolting traits of his denizens. Regardless, or possibly because of this, the book left me cold. After I finished, I wasn't exactly furious with myself for having read it. But I was a little disappointed.And relieved at having only paid a quarter for it.
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