Presented in a stunning collector's edition with gilded page edges, this 19th-century French masterpiece captures the tragic allure of Emma Bovary and the societal critique that made Flaubert a legend. The publication of this masterpiece of realism gave rise to an obscenity trial 1857, which earned Flaubert an acquittal, and established Emma Bovary as one of literature's greatest characters. The eponymous Emma is a victim of the smug, self-deluding French bourgeoisie that Flaubert despised. Trapped in a marriage to a second-rate provincial doctor, she escapes the suffocating confines of her existence by immersing herself in sentimental novels. Her idealization of beauty, romance and high society lead her into an affair with a philandering neighbor. When this ends, she is quickly drawn into a liaison that has far more dangerous consequences. The publication of Madame Bovary gave rise to an obscenity trial in 1857, which earned Flaubert an acquittal, and established Emma Bovary as one of literature's greatest characters. This handsome pocket-sized gift edition has real collector's appeal; featuring the classic; unabridged text; a facsimile of Flaubert's signature on the title page; gold gilded page edges and beautifully designed endpapers. Part of the Arcturus Ornate Classics series this book makes wonderful gift for any lover of classic literature. ABOUT THE SERIES: Arcturus Ornate Classics are beautifully bound editions of iconic literary works across history. These compact, foil-embossed hardbacks are printed using deluxe ivory paper and make the perfect gift.