Madame Bovary
by Gustave Flaubert
English • Public Domain • Free to Stream
About This Audiobook
Madame Bovary, published in 1857, is one of the great novels of the French literary tradition and a masterwork of literary realism. Gustave Flaubert's portrait of Emma Bovary — a doctor's wife who dreams of romance, luxury, and escape from the crushing dullness of provincial Norman life — is both a scathing critique of romantic idealism and an extraordinarily compassionate study of human longing. Emma pursues her fantasies through a series of love affairs and reckless spending, each bringing her closer to ruin.
Flaubert's precise, jewel-like prose and his technique of free indirect style — slipping seamlessly between narrator and character's inner voice — were revolutionary in their time and remain deeply influential today. The novel was put on trial for obscenity when first serialised; Flaubert was acquitted, and the controversy only added to its fame. The English translation by Eleanor Marx-Aveling captures the cool, ironic beauty of Flaubert's original. The book is in the public domain and free to stream here with no account, no subscription, and no adverts, forever.
About the book: Madame Bovary
Madame Bovary is the début novel of French writer Gustave Flaubert, originally published in 1856 and 1857. When the novel was first serialised in Revue de Paris between 1 October and 15 December 1856, public prosecutors attacked it on the grounds that it was obscene. The resulting trial in January 1857 rendered it notorious. Following Flaubert's acquittal on 7 February 1857, the novel became a bestseller in April 1857 when it was published in two volumes.
The eponymous character, Emma Bovary, lives beyond her means in order to escape the ennui of provincial life. A seminal work of literary realism, the novel is ranked among Flaubert's masterpieces, and one of the most influential literary works in history.
The book was in some ways inspired by the life of a schoolfriend of the author who became a doctor. Flaubert's friend and mentor, Louis Bouilhet, had suggested to him that this might be a suitably down-to-earth subject for a novel and that Flaubert should attempt to write in a natural way, without digressions.
How long is Madame Bovary to listen to?
Madame Bovary takes approximately 8 hours to listen to in full.
When was Madame Bovary written?
Madame Bovary was first published in 1857. It is now in the public domain and free to stream.
Who narrates Madame Bovary?
Madame Bovary uses AI multi-voice narration. Each character has a distinct voice — narrators, heroes, villains and supporting characters all sound different, making it easy to follow the story.
Can I download Madame Bovary?
No download is needed. Madame Bovary streams directly in your browser — no app, no account, no signup required. Just press play.
What genre is Madame Bovary?
Madame Bovary is Classic Novel. It is a classic work of literature now in the public domain.