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Loading... Bouvard and Pécuchet (original 1881; edition 1896)by Gustave Flaubert, D. F. Hannigan, S. Gorski (Binding Designer.)
Work InformationBouvard and Pécuchet by Gustave Flaubert (1881)
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Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book. No current Talk conversations about this book. Bouvard and Pécuchet by Gustave Flaubert 4 stars Bouvard and Pécuchet meet by chance and from that day forward, they are inseparable. When Bouvard inherits from his uncle, the two go south, buying a farm. To occupy themselves, they take up studies in many subjects, usually giving up the second they are stymied. This was delightful to read, although very repetitive. The characters were so funny, fancying themselves scholars and experts after reading a few books on a topic. This was Flaubert's last, left unfinished, though the ending it has works as one. It is said to be his criticism of the arts and sciences, but I saw criticism of those people who study too much and forget to experience their subject. While reading this, I listened to classical music from the Romantic period (DeBussy, Saint-Saens, and Berlioz, to name a few). The music was light and picaresque, much like the novel. Well I related to Bouvard and Pecuchet because I also read for knowledge. I hope my application of what i learn comes across a little better than theirs. This book was referenced in AJ Jacobs book "The know it all" which was a really fun read. I did the audiobook and forgot to write down the name of Bouvard and Pecuchet and I emailed AJ. Either he isnt as megafamous as i thought or he is truly a nice guy because he emailed me back with the name of the book. Some part of this book i couldnt tell if it was hard to follow because it was translated or if it was just the way it was written. Well I related to Bouvard and Pecuchet because I also read for knowledge. I hope my application of what i learn comes across a little better than theirs. This book was referenced in AJ Jacobs book "The know it all" which was a really fun read. I did the audiobook and forgot to write down the name of Bouvard and Pecuchet and I emailed AJ. Either he isnt as megafamous as i thought or he is truly a nice guy because he emailed me back with the name of the book. Some part of this book i couldnt tell if it was hard to follow because it was translated or if it was just the way it was written.
A typical chapter begins with Bouvard writing his banker to send books on his latest obsession, which he and Pécuchet utterly misunderstand. (“The problem with reading,” warns Blanchot, “is the reader.” He probably had this book in mind.) They set about putting their wrongheaded expertise to use, attracting acolytes from a nearby village of colorfully stupid rustics, whose enthusiasm curdles into rage when Bouvard and Pécuchet plunge them all into scandal. Depressed, the heroes mope, but they quickly recover and, bursting with enthusiasm, announce a new obsession and send for more supplies. Like us, when inspired, they go shopping. Belongs to Publisher SeriesDie Andere Bibliothek (222) Arion Press (106) Ediciones de bolsillo (270) insel taschenbuch (373) — 8 more
Classic Literature.
Fiction.
HTML: In this satirical novel from renowned French author Gustave Flaubert, two Paris-dwelling clerks, François Bouvard and Juste Pécuchet, have a chance encounter one day and instantly become the best of friends. When Bouvard comes into some family money, the two chums decide to pull up stakes and move to the country to pursue a life of intellectual inquiry. But after plowing through much of the world's literature, poetry, and scientific documentation, the pair grow disenchanted. No library descriptions found.
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)843.8Literature French French fiction Later 19th century 1848–1900LC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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I did particularly like the section about educating Victor and Victorine, which I almost missed due to my ebook missing the last two chapters. So a word of warning to those who are reading an ebook edition - make sure that you have TEN chapters! Most of the public domain ebooks only have the first 8 chapters! ( )