A Sentimental Education - post I

The great thing about reading is that it can be a great conversation starter. Recently after a business meeting as I was walked out of the building the subject of Gustave Flaubert came up and A Sentimental Education was recommended as possibly a better example of his ability as a writer than Madame Bovary. As a result, it’s hard not to get caught up in someone else’s passion for a book, it seemed like a good idea to pick it up and give it a go.

Bullet points between pages 1 – 44

* The introduction of Frederic Moreau, a student who is bright and heading home on a paddle steamer from Paris, opens the novel and very soon after he comes across Madame Arnoux who is on the boat with her husband

* Frederic is smitten by her and vows to make it his mission once back in Paris studying to find out all he can about her and get closer to her

* He starts to put his plan into action and starts hanging around the art gallery and magazine production house that is used by Monsieur Arnoux and gradually Frederic starts to become part of the furniture but he has no sign of the beauty that transfixed him on the paddle steamer

Will he get to meet her and try to wrestle her away from her adulterous husband? More tomorrow…