Simon Vance does it again!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Madam Bovary is a masterpiece of literature. He carefully constructs a scenario which draws the reader into a deeper understanding of the "human condition" with vibrant characters, wonderful prose, and commentary on the yearnings of the human heart.

What other book might you compare Madame Bovary to and why?

Thatcher's "Vanity Fair" discusses the same issues, yet with a satirical wit, that ultimately draws the reader in.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

Simon Vance is a wonderful narrator. His voice and elocution is easy on the ears and his performance speaks to his grasp of the writer's intent.

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5 people found this helpful

A masterpiece. The narrator does it justice.

Of course a book like this is a must listen especially if you have not read it.

All depends on the performance and here the narrator doesn't disappoint.

I have read this a few times and it was a pleasure to find that listening to it brought a fresh perspective. It is a good translation which does Flaubert justice.


If you don't know the story you have a great pleasure waiting for you.

Great value.

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5 people found this helpful

Great Classic for the romantic at heart

Great Classic for the Romanic at heart.
I had not read this in school so finally got to it and realized it was a simple yet pleasing novel on what we would see today as a simple love, yet in the time this was a toil of near Spakespearian tragedic.
What woman would not wish for a man to love her as Emma was loved in her last.

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1 person found this helpful

Bored French women are trouble

Lessons learned in 300 pages/11 hours: Bored French women are trouble. Men are NOT to be trusted. Doctors don't know jack. If you want your kids to have a good job, raise them to be pharmacists or pawn brokers. Don't buy crap you can't afford. Don't get into debt. If you are going to kill yourself, do it right. Hide your notes. Marry for love.

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29 people found this helpful

A fantastic first read

This was the first book I downloaded from Audible, because a friend of mine was also reading it. It's been years since I read Madame Bovary and I was captured all over again by its brilliance and incredible language, scene setting, character development... Simon Vance's reading voice is perfect: comforting, articulate, soothing. Just a true pleasure.

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5 people found this helpful

a well performed classic

Flaubert's use of language is fantastic. His old fashioned idea of womanhood is a bit trite, but the rest was compelling.

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Relistening with another narrator

I trudged, and struggled, and persevered through this version with Simon Vance narrating. Although I've enjoyed Mr. Vance's narration on other titles, those with male primary characters as it happens, I just couldn't stand this book with him reading it. All the way through to two-thirds done, I thought it was the book I hated, but kept going because this book is so highly esteemed by so many people. The reason I want to read it to begin with is the fact that I found it appearing at the number one place on several online lists of the greatest books ever written. In fact the first book reader I know to whom I mentioned my list of classic books to read, said that it was his favorite book of all books he'd read. So, why do I hate it so? Perhaps I'm just a bit thick, but it was not until today that I thought to listen to samples of other narrators reading it. I got it into my head that I required a female voice for this book. In fact, I'm convinced, though I haven't put it to the test yet, that this book must have a woman's voice, though written by a man and not exclusive in female and male characters. I listened to samples of perhaps 9 of the versions available here (how splendid to have so many to choose from) and chose Davina Porter as my voice of choice. My review of that version will tell the tale of whether it is indeed Madame Bovary herself whom I detest or simply the particular voice who speaks her story. She certainly can not be blamed for that. Perhaps in the edition I've chosen she will shine as brightly as reported by others who've read her legend. I'm also entirely chuffed that my chosen version is a full two hours longer than the average play times of all the others. In printed books, movies, pieces of music, and audio books the longer the duration the more pleased as a cat with a canary am I. Now, time will tell.

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1 person found this helpful

Beautiful and superficial

This was a big disappointment, having heard how great the book is. "Greatest novel ever written." But why? I liked the delightful naturalistic observations of plants, light, subtle details. But there were two problems: Charles is so dull, and Emma is an unsympathetic, uninteresting character. She is beautiful and superficial. I never engaged with her at any level, never cared what she did, what happened to her, had no empathy or interest in her. And certainly there was little else to do after that--the towns and other characters are of no interest either.

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3 people found this helpful

Off-Putting Narration

I am not familiar with other works by this narrator, so he may be amazing elsewhere, but his characterizations in this performance really hampered my enjoyment of the book. Everything Emma Bovary says is delivered in a breathy whisper/whine that makes any subtlety or variation that may be written into the character simply vanish. What comes through is a petulant little girl who has the same whiny tone when begging her husband for more money, telling her lover that she wants to meet up with him, or buying a hat.

I understand Emma is not meant to be a very sympathetic character, but this is a chore to listen to. And don't get me started on the number of times something or someone is referred to as "the poor..." In this translation and production, every single person and object appears to be utterly pitiable, and it gets tiresome.

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2 people found this helpful