Bouvard and Pécuchet: A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life, part 2: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Bouvard and Pécuchet: A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life, part 2: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Bouvard and Pécuchet: A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life, part 2 is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Flaubert, Gustave (1821–1880).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"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.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Bouvard and Pécuchet: A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life, part 2
- Author credits: Flaubert, Gustave (1821–1880)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- 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
Gutenberg collections
- Category: French Literature
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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