Gustave Flaubert

The Temptation of Saint Anthony (French Classics Series) (eBook, ePUB)

Historical Novel

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

Gustave Flaubert's 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony,' a foray into the realm of historical fiction, delineates the profound spiritual struggle of Saint Anthony the Great amidst the desolate Egyptian desert. Crafted with the intricacy of a playwright's pen yet embodying the narrative depth of a novel, Flaubert's retelling of the saint's tribulations unfolds in a single, tempestuous night where the boundaries between sanctity and sin are relentlessly tested. Not merely content to recount the occurrences, Flaubert imbues the text with a tapestry of rich dialogue and contemplative asides, aligning it with the literary realism that characterizes his corpus, while the thematic echoes resonating through medieval and renaissance art lend the work a timeless quality within the panorama of French literature. In the fabric of Flaubert's extensive and sophisticated body of work, 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' emerges with peculiar brilliance as it reflects the author's own existential inquiries and mastery of language. The vivid portrayal of Anthony's encounter with manifold apparitions and his internal struggle are perhaps emblematic of Flaubert's own battles with the duality of experience and expectation, a pervasive theme in his oeuvre. This inspiration rooted in the Genoese painting, fused with his association with luminaries like Maupassant, underscores an intellectual curiosity that permeates the narrative, rendering a multifaceted examination of faith, temptation, and virtue. 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' invites readers into a meticulously crafted world that speaks to those enthralled by religious and philosophical quandaries, as well as connoisseurs of classic literature. Flaubert offers not just a book, but an experience that probes the resilience of the human spirit, encouraging an engagement that extends beyond the historical and into the metaphysical. It is a recommended read for those who seek to explore the depths of human conviction, narrated by a maestro of literary realism whose works remain seminal in the study of the French novel.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: DigiCat
• Seitenzahl: 115
• Erscheinungstermin: 30. Dezember 2023
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 8596547769439
• Artikelnr.: 69549295

Autorenporträt

Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) was a pioneering French novelist known for his precision of style, rigorous work habits, and for leading the movement of literary realism in French literature. Throughout his life, Flaubert avoided the exuberance of Romanticism, preferring to probe the depths of human nature through a lens of meticulous scrutiny. His novels are marked by a profound psychological insight and an unyielding attention to detail-characteristics that have cemented his reputation as one of the literary giants of the 19th century. Flaubert's masterpiece, 'Madame Bovary' (1857), is often cited as a cornerstone of realist fiction. It tells the story of a doctor's wife, Emma Bovary, who, trapped in a lackluster marriage, seeks fulfilment in love affairs and living beyond her means. The novel stirred controversy for its frank depiction of adultery, leading to an infamous obscenity trial which Flaubert ultimately won. His other notable works include 'Sentimental Education' (1869), a significant commentary on the revolutions of 1848, and 'Salammbô' (1862), an intricate historical novel set in ancient Carthage. 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' represents a departure from Flaubert's typically realist novel. This work delves into the realms of the spiritual and the fantastical. Rooted in his lifelong fascination with the early Christian hermit Saint Anthony, it was rewritten multiple times over decades, reflecting Flaubert's relentless pursuit of artistic perfection. The revisitations allowed Flaubert to elaborate on the themes of temptation and the human quest for understanding in what he considered perhaps his most important work, although it was not met with the critical acclaim of his earlier novels. Flaubert's influence extends beyond his own literary production; he served as a mentor to several younger writers, notably Guy de Maupassant. His sophisticated explorations of the human psyche, coupled with his commitment to prose style, have led many to acknowledge him as a writer's writer, an artist passionately devoted to the art of literature.