Two Famous Novels ; Madame Bovary, The Temptation of Saint Anthony by Gustave Flaubert, from The Book League of America
 
Gustave Flaubert's realistic telling of a relatively simple story helped mark the beginning of a new movement of realism in literature. Madame Bovary is celebrated for its stylistic grace, clarity, and its attention to detail.
The Temptation of Saint Anthony is a book that Flaubert spent almost his whole life working on, completing the final draft in 1874. It is written in the form of a play, and details, one night in the life of Anthony the Great, where Anthony is faced with great temptations. St. Anthony does battle with the lustful desires of his body over his chosen belief in isolation as the truest form of worship.
While both these works are admirable classics,  the lack of fully fleshed out dimensional female characters I find troubling and difficult to digest; taking into consideration the life and times of the author, and his experience and understanding of women, perhaps being the norm of the time, one can perhaps make allowances. Still, I found it reminiscent, but, in no way equivalent to Tolstoy's, Anna Karenina or War and Peace. While all these selections are necessary additions for a well-rounded literary education, as a' Women' I find it tiresome to read about vain, shallow, emotionally handicapped, silly, pious women. Very Unsexy!
Measures: 8.25x6x1.25
Blue cloth binding, faded but excellent condition, gold lettering
Pages yellowed but excellent condition, spine tight
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