Madame Bovary: A Signature Performance by Leelee Sobieski Audiobook By Gustave Flaubert cover art

Madame Bovary: A Signature Performance by Leelee Sobieski

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Madame Bovary: A Signature Performance by Leelee Sobieski

By: Gustave Flaubert
Narrated by: Leelee Sobieski
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One hundred and fifty years ago, Gustave Flaubert set the bar for scandal, adultery, and financial catastrophe with Madame Bovary. Now, Audible Signature Classics presents two-time Golden Globe Award nominee Leelee Sobieski (Joan of Arc) in a singular new performance that highlights the ambiguity behind a brilliantly crafted character: was Emma Bovary depraved or just a victim of circumstance?

This is the story of a beautiful woman who marries a devoted, provincial doctor, but believes she was meant for something more—a life of luxury, leisure, and, above all, true and passionate love. She throws herself headlong into a reckless series of doomed affairs, with tragic consequences, and plunges her family into financial ruin.

Sobieski’s Emma is sultry but vulnerable, offering a sympathetic rendering of the feckless madame and her plight in this cautionary tale of love, passion, and desperation. Will you condemn the madame?

Listen to more one-of-a-kind performances from actors Elijah Wood, Kenneth Branagh, David Hyde Pierce, and more, only from Audible Signature Classics.

Listen to more Audible Signature Classics.

Public Domain (P)2010 Audible, Inc. Classics Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction

Editorial reviews

Popular actress Leelee Sobieski’s performs Gustave Flaubert’s classic Madame Bovary, articulating the masterful author’s mots justes while bringing a sultry and sumptuous touch to the story of mad passion. The novel, now a classic, was controversial when it was released in 1856, taking a turn away from the popular romantic works of its time to describe adultery in a more realistic light. The story concerns Emma Bovary and her yearning for more than the married life can offer, which, while resulting in tragedy and hardship, is not judged morally. Fans of this instrumental work of realism and first-time listeners alike will relish the ups and downs of this contemporary reading.
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I know this book is a classic, but I'm embarrassed to admit that with my twenty-first century attention span, I couldn't get through it. I've also heard that the writing is absolutely gorgeous in French-- but this is the English translation, so something is lost. If you really like novels from that era, I'd say go for it. But if you (like me) actually like contemporary novels, and just like to imagine yourself as someone who would enjoy classic novels, it will probably be a disappointment.

Paced for an earlier time

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The story is superb. So much to learn of the times and the follies of humans

What a beautiful, tragic story showing we all have faults

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No. I found the story somewhat shallow. What's so special about Madam Bovery. She was just a woman who cheated on her husband.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Name the book Monsieur Bovery and tell more of his story. He was the real hero of the story.

Would you be willing to try another one of Leelee Sobieski’s performances?

No. Her reading was annoying. I found her intonations and phrasings were often inappropriate to the events she was reading. It was hard to follow at times.

Did Madame Bovary: A Signature Performance by Leelee Sobieski inspire you to do anything?

I was often inspired to discontinue listening to this book but my curiosity and hope for something unexpected to happen kept me going to the uninspiring end.

Any additional comments?

Was intrigued by the reviews of this book but found it disappointing.

Why is this a "Classic"?

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Did she fall, was she pushed or did she jump? how you answer that question defines both you and the book.

Question

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Modame Bovary is a surprisingly current book. The emotions of love and want are so well articulated. You can really see yourself in the people. The reader is a bit strident in her rendition, which detracts a bit. But the story is fabulous.

excellent timeless story

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This story will certainly make a person think twice about adultery. Kind of like Anna Karenina. It’s good but very French so don’t expect a happy ending.

A moral tale

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Lots of things to unpack here- many different stories and people going through life with their own proclivities and disorders. You have depression, mania, Catatonia, codependency, obsession, and even a sociopath.

Honest look at humanity with All it’s mental illnesses

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This book is on many "must read" lists. I understand that it was groundbreaking, and that it is an important contribution to literature. However, I just found this particular rendition boring. Whether the story, or the performance I do not know. I can't even finish.

Lackluster reading

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book was good and overall Leelee is 'ok' as a narrator but... nothing better than any regular person. she also pronounces many words incorrectly and all the French words sound like they were redubbed later with an overemphasized accent that is distracting.

idk about "signature" unless signature illegible

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Not my favorite book. I thought it was too flowery and not a great story, very depressing for me.

A bit depressing

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