The Collected Works

Gustave Flaubert's «The Collected Works» serves as a comprehensive anthology that encapsulates his literary genius, showcasing his pioneering contributions to the genre of realism in 19th-century literature. This collection features not only his famed novel «Madame Bovary,» but also a variety of smaller works, essays, and correspondence that reveal Flaubert's meticulous attention to language, form, and character development. His narrative style often combines rich, vivid descriptions with incisive psychological insight, all while adhering to a rigorous pursuit of artistic perfection, famously encapsulated in his phrase, «Le mot juste»—the right word. This anthology invites readers into the complex moral landscapes Flaubert expertly navigated, reflecting both the societal constraints of his time and the inner turmoil of his characters. Flaubert, born in 1821 in Rouen, France, grew up in a time of great political and social upheaval, which deeply influenced his literary endeavors. His rigorous classical education and extensive travel experiences endowed him with a profound understanding of human nature and the nuances of social dynamics. Driven by a desire to elevate the novel as an art form, Flaubert typically sought to expose the contradictions of bourgeois society, embedding personal struggles within broader cultural critiques. Readers yearning for literary introspection and a profound exploration of the human condition will find «The Collected Works» to be an indispensable volume. Flaubert's unwavering commitment to the craft of writing, coupled with his incisive critique of 19th-century society, renders this anthology not merely an assembly of texts but a vital conversation with the past, urging modern audiences to reflect on the complexities of desire, identity, and societal norms.