Bouvard and Pécuchet: A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life, part 2
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Wikipedia page about this book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouvard_et_P%C3%A9cuchet Release date is 2014-09-20
Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive) Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at The Internet Archive)
"Bouvard and Pécuchet: A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life" by Gustave Flaubert is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows two middle-aged clerks, Bouvard and Pécuchet, who, after coming into an inheritance, abandon their previous lives to pursue a multitude of interests, ultimately leading them to the study of various aspects of knowledge, religion, and education. The book explores themes of ambition, the absurdity of attempts to acquire knowledge, and the futility of the bourgeois aspiration for self-improvement. The opening of the text introduces us to Bouvard and Pécuchet after they've experienced the mundane routines of their earlier lives. Both characters are depicted as somewhat hapless yet earnest as they navigate the complexities of newfound interests, including their dabbling in religious practices, art, and philosophy. Their initial attempts to engage with pious texts and rituals reflect their longing for meaning and fulfillment in life, revealing their character's deep desire for connection and understanding. The tone is a blend of tragedy and comedy as their earnest endeavors often come to comical failures, setting the stage for their exploration of both enlightenment and folly that will unfold throughout the novel. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
France -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction French fiction -- Translations into English Middle class -- France -- History -- 19th century -- Fiction Middle class -- France -- Retirement -- Fiction