A Simple Heart (New Directions Bibelot) [Paperback]

Gustave Flaubert (Author), Arthur McDowall (Translator)

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: New Directions Publishing (April 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811213188
• ISBN-13: 978-0811213189
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4.8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #593,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Heart is Simply Wonderful!, April 28, 2000

By 

Christine E. Faul - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Simple Heart (New Directions Bibelot) (Paperback)

A Simple Heart is a wonderful book, full of the deep significance of the everyday which so symbolizes the writing of Flaubert. The parrot which figures so prominantly in the story is an unusual image that is well-developed and well-used by Flaubert in this all-to-little known novella. The characters are shockingly well-developed for the a book of so few pages, resulting in a book that is deeply moving. Also, in keeping with his traditional style, Flaubert's descriptions of the physical world in the story are fantastic and piercing. A Simple Heart stays with the reader long after the last page is read. For fans of Madame Bovary, this is a book not to be missed!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple, realistic language - metaphysical result, June 28, 2002

By 

M. J. Smith (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Simple Heart (New Directions Bibelot) (Paperback)

Whether or not one enjoys the style of writing of Flaubert's period, this book is a masterpiece. In a handful of incidents with a maid's life, Flaubert provides us with a full character which exhibits a quiet, uneducated saintliness that weathers a life of significant hardship. The text is down-to-earth realistic description with simple items such as a map illustrating her complete lack of education and a (stuffed) parrot which the priest recognizes the importance of in a final gesture to the servant. This is a "must read" book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece, March 30, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: A Simple Heart (New Directions Bibelot) (Paperback)

Quite simply, a literary masterpiece. Simply written, 'A Simple Heart' evokes depth from simplicity, beauty from tragedy, humanity from suffering. Flaubert's world endures and remains relevant, because the human heart simply remains unchanged.