He listened with all his ears, as attentive as if at a sermon, not daring even to cross his legs or lean on his elbow and when at two o'clock the bell rang, the master was obliged to tell him to fall into line with the rest of us. His legs, in blue stockings, looked out from beneath yellow trousers, drawn tight by braces, He wore stout, ill-cleaned, hob-nailed boots. Although he was not broad-shouldered, his short school jacket of green cloth with black buttons must have been tight about the arm-holes, and showed at the opening of the cuffs red wrists accustomed to being bare. His hair was cut square on his forehead like a village chorister's he looked reliable, but very ill at ease. The new fellow, standing in the corner behind the door so that he could hardly be seen, was a country lad of about fifteen, and taller than any of us. If his work and conduct are satisfactory, he will go into one of the upper classes, as becomes his age.

Monsieur Roger, here is a pupil whom I recommend to your care he'll be in the second. Then, turning to the class-master, he said to him in a low voice. The head-master made a sign to us to sit down.

Those who had been asleep woke up, and every one rose as if just surprised at his work. We were in class when the head-master came in, followed by a new fellow, not wearing the school uniform, and a school servant carrying a large desk. The British critic James Wood writes: Flaubert(s)influence is almost too familiar to be visible. The novel is considered Flaubert's master-piece, and one of the most influential literary works in history. After Flaubert's acquittal in February 1857, Madame Bovary was published in book form and became an instant bestseller. The resulting trial in January 1857 made the story notorious. In her desire to fulfill her dreams she travels down a winding path of adultery and deception.When Madame Bovary appeared in La Revue de Paris in October 1856, public prosecutors attacked it for obscenity. It is anything but the romantic excitement she longs for. However, she is disappointed with her husband and her simple life. The story is tragic and at times frustrating but well worth reading.'After marrying Charles Bovary, an ordinary country doctor, Emma Rouault hopes to have the adventurous life of passion and intrigue that she reads about in books. In the process she destroys the life of her very provincial husband who also happens to be a good man. 'Emma is bored and wants excitement and makes a complete mess of her life. Madame Bovary by Gustave FlaubertThis collector's edition is cleanly formatted for easy reading, 12 point Garamond, 1.15 spacing.

Frau Bovary by Gustave Flaubert