The Temptation of Saint Anthony (French Classics Series)

The Temptation of Saint Anthony (French Classics Series)

by Gustave Flaubert
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date: 30/12/2023

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Gustave Flaubert's 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' emerges as a profound exploration of faith, doubt, and human yearning, wrought in a rich, poetic style that challenges traditional narrative forms. Set against the backdrop of the 3rd-century desert, the text blends elements of philosophical discourse with vivid imagery, as it delves into the internal struggles of Saint Anthony facing relentless spiritual temptations. Through a series of surreal and gripping hallucinations, Flaubert beautifully juxtaposes the sacred and the profane, reflecting the complex interplay between desire and asceticism, thus marking a significant moment in French literary modernism. Flaubert, a pivotal figure of the 19th century, was deeply influenced by his own existential dilemmas and the artistic innovations of his time. His meticulous attention to language and form in 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' showcases his commitment to capturing the intricacies of human experience and the profound questions surrounding spirituality. The fragmented structure and theatrical qualities of the text mirror Flaubert's struggles with artistic expression and his desire to push the boundaries of literary conventions. This work is an essential read for those interested in the intersections of faith, art, and the human condition. Flaubert's masterful prose invites readers to engage with complex themes, challenging them to reflect on their beliefs and desires. Recommended for scholars and casual readers alike, 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' promises an intellectual and emotional journey into the depths of the soul.

ISBN:
8596547769439
8596547769439
Category:
Ethics & moral philosophy
Format:
Epub (Kobo), Epub (Adobe)
Publication Date:
30-12-2023
Language:
English
Publisher:
DigiCat
Gustave Flaubert

Gustave Flaubert was born in Rouen in 1821, the son of a distinguished surgeon and a doctor's daughter. After three unhappy years of studying law in Paris, an epileptic attack ushered him into a life of writing. Madame Bovary won instant acclaim upon book publication in 1857, but Flaubert's frank display of adultery in bourgeois France saw him go on trial for immorality, only narrowly escaping conviction.

Both Salammbo (1862) and The Sentimental Education (1869) were poorly received, and Flaubert's genius was not publicly recognized until Three Tales (1877). His reputation among his fellow writers, however, was more constant and those who admired him included Turgenev, George Sand, Victor Hugo and Zola. Flaubert's obsession with his art is legendary: he would work for days on a single page, obsessively attuning sentences, seeking always le mot juste in a quest for both beauty and precise observation.

His style moved Edmund Wilson to say,'Flaubert, by a single phrase - a notation of some commonplace object - can convey all the poignance of human desire, the pathos of human defeat; his description of some homely scene will close with a dying fall that reminds one of great verse or music.' Flaubert died suddenly in May 1880, leaving his last work, Bouvard and Pécuchet, unfinished.

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