Bouvard and Pecuchet A Tragi-Comic Novel of Bourgeois Life Part I Paperback – April 7, 2016

This odd last novel by Flaubert is almost a compendium of all he knew about the world around him. Exploring almost every aspect of human thought and life professions, his unlikely heroes try every endeavor under the sun to become involved with some aspect of human life, only to either become bored with each one and toss it away, or ultimately fail at making a success of it.The abrupt ending is unsatisfactory. It is a quick read, however, at about 150 pages. This edition's pages are unnumbered, which is a pain.

It seems modern in many ways, and is very nicely translated. The two heroes come into money and retire to a farm where they try one crop after another, and many money making schemes which never pan out. It all seems amazingly fanciful and yet apparently realistic in the 19th century. Not much romance but almost a science fictional glimpse at the past. Flaubert provides a very sly ending to the madness.Patrick, Vancouver

Utterly charming, 2 very different personalities, sharing one thing in common: a contempt for their fellow Bourgeoisie. Hilarious, ridiculous & oddly touching... but I won't spoil the ending when one of them comes into some moulah!

Great story about two guys who cannot stand to see the stupidity of people. I had read this book about 35 years ago, but still have to think about it

Hilarious --especially because I imagined the whole book with Frog and Toad. I was inspired to read it after enjoying Julian Barnes' FLAUBERT'S PARROT.

The book has an interesting beginning which disappointingly leads into a boring and predictable set of events. It still has some moments of humorous brilliance whereby I found myself laughing loudly but not much else.Overall this book makes a relaxed and easy reading. Which perhaps one would not expect from such an exceptionally intense writer.

Interesting read.

Probably unsuitable for his contemporaries as well, as seems to be the case by the lukeware reception it received when published, despite the previous great success of Madame Bauvary. Totally boring, completely irrelevant, and absolutely nothing of interest

You can enjoy this book on so many levels. First there is the purely comic story of two losers who try every pursuit and then apply themselves to every branch of learning. Then there is the satire on the relentless quest for knowledge which Flaubert seems to despise. This there is the pathos; the indefatigability of these two Laurel and Hardy-type characters who just pick themselves up after each disaster, dust themselves down and try something new with the same fresh enthusiasm. But increasingly towards the end of the book they remind you of Vladimir and Estragon.It's a little unpolished, and the pace of it will leave you breathless, but do read this book.

Great read THANKS

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