Madame Bovarys Daughter: A Novel

Madame Bovary's Daughter: A Novel [Linda Urbach] on leondumoulin.nl *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Picking up after the shattering end of Gustave.
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With more and more readers and book clubs revisiting the classics, there should be built-in interest. Readers will rejoice in her journey to understanding and forgiveness. I just loved this novel! Linda Urbach powerfully brings to life the opulence of the rich in nineteenth- century France. The novel is like a visit with an old friend. Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Category: Historical Fiction Literary Fiction.

Inspired by Your Browsing History. Looking for More Great Reads? Download our Spring Fiction Sampler Now. She milks the cow, forklifts hay and is made to replace the maid.

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Berthe yearns to put the peasant life behind. She dreams of owning a beautiful home with marble staircases, satin cushions, dancing guests and rooms filled with gorgeous gowns. Her mother had instilled in her a love of fine fashion, romantic stories, and luxury. Most importantly, she desires "what her mother never had: With no resources or family to turn to, she finds work in a cotton mill.

Beautiful Berthe's fortune is changed when she is hired as a lady's maid in a Paris home. She manages to survive in a home where consenting and non-consenting sex abounds. The household is passionate about couture. Despite her lack of experience, she perfects her sewing skills and studies the latest fashions. So begins her training for what ultimately will bring her the most joy.

Urbach writes a complex heroine who vows to transcend the mistakes her mother made and claim a happy life. Berthe is deceptive along the way and makes some decisions that will make you cringe.

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She bears much unfairness and misfortune. Although a complex and fascinating character, she is certainly not a squeaky-clean heroine. Urbach tends to overuse the technique of telling us about Berthe by comments from other characters. Assumptions of Berthe's expertise flow frequently from people she encounters. We are left to wonder if she knows her own strengths or merely deduces them from their opinions.

Madame Bovary’s Daughter by Linda Urbach | Review | Historical Novels Review

Finally, Berthe finds herself and seizes her passion. She takes the reins of her journey and discovers that a passionate life can be a life well lived. Established author and screenplay writer Linda Urbach Howard founded Momoirs , writing workshops for and about mothers. Madame Bovary's Daughter is her third novel. She is currently working on a new book, Sarah's Hair, the story of Sarah Bernhardt's hairdresser. The author uses much period detail about weaving factories. Interlaced with the plot are vivid descriptions of Victorian women's apparel. Each gown is easily pictured from the details the author deftly provides.

The information about fashion design and the beginnings of retail clothing stores is fascinating. Madame Bovary's Daughter is great fodder for books groups whose interest in the classics is surging. Urbach weaves memories of Berthe's childhood into the book so a reading of Madame Bovary is not necessary. Reading the French classic, however, will enhance your appreciation of the new release.

Comparisons of the two will percolate discussion. An author's interview and questions for book groups are provided. Random House graciously supplied the review copy. All opinions expressed are unbiased and wholly those of the reviewer.

Reviewed by Holly Weiss, author of Crestmont Jul 07, Susanna rated it really liked it Shelves: Whatever description of this book's plot that you read, it's probably oversimplified. Madame Bovary's Daughter consists of four parts, each spanning about two years: Berthe's stay at her grandmother's farm, her time spent working at a cotton mill, her tenure as an upstairs housemaid in a wealthy Parisian home, and her fashion career as it begins at Worth's.

Covering a wide array of settings and social positions, Urbach packs a ton of information into less than pages. She occasionally takes s Whatever description of this book's plot that you read, it's probably oversimplified. She occasionally takes some creative license with dates and famous personages but helpfully explains all historical inaccuracies in her postscript.

While the plot moves slowly, it is not uninteresting, and Urbach successfully maintains her novel's connection to Madame Bovary while simultaneously allowing Berthe to forge her own story. She also provides excellent historical details on art, fashion, and Victorian culture without making these details become overbearing and dry. I felt like the last 50 or so pages of the novel were a bit rushed, but again, Urbach has packed a lot into one novel.

While Madame Bovary's Daughter can be read without prior knowledge of Flaubert's Madame Bovary, I found that this continuation of the story provided some insights into Flaubert's original characters and increased my understanding of the novel. Review originally posted on my blog: Aug 14, Jessica rated it really liked it Shelves: I wan't that big of a fan of Madame Bovary because Emma's selfish way of life annoyed me so much, but I think that's why I enjoyed this book about her daughter so much. Berthe didn't like the way her mother had lived and spent her life, so starting from right after her parents died, she decided to have a life the opposite of her mother's.

I love historical romances, and this book had every aspect of historical books that I love. It had the old fashioned society with gowns and balls. There was pa I wan't that big of a fan of Madame Bovary because Emma's selfish way of life annoyed me so much, but I think that's why I enjoyed this book about her daughter so much. There was passion, affairs, scandal, and secrets basically everything that made the s a juicy time to read about.

This book had some boring moments, but I loved following Berthe's life as it passed through the four different sections of the story. I really liked how even though Berthe had no one, she wasn't afraid to put herself out there and make something of herself. Her passion for fashion haha, that rhymed: Madame Bovary's Daughter is definitely a historical romance that is intriguing to read and a great, juicy follow up to the old classic. Aug 11, Darlene Foster rated it really liked it. This story has everything I love in it; fashion, history, art, food, Paris, sex and friendship.

It is a fun read which holds your interest as you follow the determined Berthe from the French countryside, to the streets of nineteenth century Paris, the hazardous cotton mills and the elegant fashion houses. The descriptions of the fabrics and fashions of the time are amazing. I loved how the author wove real historic figures like Levy Strauss, Jean-Francois Millet, and Charles Frederick Worth into the story in a very believable way. There are many captivating fictional characters too like her thieving friend Helene and the charming artist Armand. Mar 14, Mary rated it liked it.

This book is a jumble, orphaned girl, a love story, a woman on her own story, a bit of sex including rape and homosexual encounters and wife swapping , a bit of history, some comedy, some really lose morals, a bit of reference to Madame Bovary. At times, it works and at times it's either too chaotic or just funny.

It's the just funny part that saved it for me. Okay, at times the humor Mr. Worth, a clothes designer, can't speak French well and says the funniest things and some of the sexua This book is a jumble, orphaned girl, a love story, a woman on her own story, a bit of sex including rape and homosexual encounters and wife swapping , a bit of history, some comedy, some really lose morals, a bit of reference to Madame Bovary.

Worth, a clothes designer, can't speak French well and says the funniest things and some of the sexual encounters and some of the interactions between the men gets to be a bit tired, but I still liked it. Madame Bovary's daughter Bertha is orphaned, is shunted to mean family, has to work in a mill, is rescued by a "bad" family with a bit of a twist here , falls in love, is betrayed, you get the drift.

So, what makes it worth reading? The odd twists and turns, the funny characters and it's just a fun novel. Sep 25, Kyle Wendy Skultety gimmethatbook. From the moment I started reading this, I knew it was going to be wonderful. I did not need to have prior knowledge of the original Madame Bovary to grasp what the characters were about. Filled with humor, pathos, intrigue, and luxurious descriptions of the burgeoning fashion industry in Paris, this novel is a quick and easy read.

I found myself rooting for Mme. Bovary throughout, as she tries to shake off her mother's reputation and make her own way in the world. Urbach mixes historical and fic From the moment I started reading this, I knew it was going to be wonderful. Urbach mixes historical and fictional characters seamlessly; as Mme. Her descriptions of 's fashion, sweatshops, and society's attitudes towards women are spot on. I really enjoy being able to read a book and feel that I'm immersed in that time period; and this novel did not disappoint. I read it in a few hours because I was so entranced.

Kudos to Urbach for introducing new readers to the Bovary name. Jul 24, Jennie rated it liked it Shelves: I liked it in pieces — like the beginning of Berthe living with her Grandmother, and the portion when she was working with Charles Frederick. The time period was interesting — the insight into the dangerous cotton mills was written realistically and descriptively.

The words conveyed the emotions well - I became connected to the poor, innocent children slaving away in such horrible conditions. This was one of those stories I had to force myself to finish just to be done with it. Mar 30, Sonja rated it did not like it. I didn't care for Berthe Bovary at all.

All her thoughts centered on not turning out like her mother as if that was all she was about. The scene at the end with Monsieur Boulanger was annoying, as we're Berthe's sexual encounters considering three of them were either molestation or rape. This book was filled with unlikely scenarios and seemed to be directed at a much younger audience. I do agree with Urbach's note at the end: Flaubert would probably hate this horribly don I didn't care for Berthe Bovary at all. Flaubert would probably hate this horribly done sequel.

May 08, MaryannC. Book Fiend rated it it was amazing Shelves: I enjoyed this book about Emma Bovary's daughter Berthe. I liked Berthe's drive and her determination not to let her mother's scandalous life and death ruin her future. I also liked the details about the fashion and the use of fabrics of that time period. This book kept my interest till the end. Jul 07, Marie rated it really liked it. Realistically depressing but worth it.

May 06, LMGS rated it it was ok. The author had an impossible task. Trying to write a sequel to one of the greatest novels. I thought the first half of the book followed more closely the tone and themes of Flaubert. The effects of sin and the devastation caused to the individual, and worse to the people around them who have done nothing wrong. He writes about desire gone awry and the blinding effect that sin can have to the results.

By her own admission, the author wanted Berthe to triumph. I am not sure that in her time that woul The author had an impossible task. I am not sure that in her time that would have been possible, nor the path there seemed realistic. While Madame Bovary was considered scandalous, he wrote poetically and makes inferences. Urbach is not as subtle in her writing.

Madame Bovary's Daughter

Jul 08, Melissa Van D rated it really liked it. Madame Bovary's Daughter is a delightful historical fiction following the life of a young girl, recently orphaned and left to make her own way in the world. The author, Linda Urbach, drew inspiration from Gustave Flaubert's book Madame Bovary, imagining life and consequences as the daughter of such a character. While the romantic dilemna towards the end of the story was not quite realistic to me, the personal growth of our main character, Berthe Bovary, was evident and enjoyable to witness.

I th Madame Bovary's Daughter is a delightful historical fiction following the life of a young girl, recently orphaned and left to make her own way in the world. I think many females today could relate to the trials Berthe faces and the strength she proves to build her own success.

Jul 02, Jen Parenti rated it really liked it. Jul 02, Becky rated it it was amazing. Sep 21, Evangeline Han rated it liked it. I must say that Madame Bovary's Daughter isn't a book I would read if it had contained a content warning. I had the "uh oh" and "what have I gotten myself into" moments when I was more than a halfway through the novel. But reading this novel has piqued my interest about Emma Bovary although I have never read the famous and controversial 19th century novel Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert. How can a mother be so trapped with crafting a world of fantasy that she was out of touch with the real wor I must say that Madame Bovary's Daughter isn't a book I would read if it had contained a content warning.

How can a mother be so trapped with crafting a world of fantasy that she was out of touch with the real world? Madame Bovary's Daughter does not have a lack of unconventional characters.


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We have a thief, rapist, master of the house who has a hobby of wearing women's dresses, and mistress of the house who is a bisexual. The way they are different does not really make them endearing characters with the exception of the thief, I couldn't like the other characters , but they do add color to the plot. It is rare to find a novel with nearly all supporting characters who are this "unusual". I guess this tells a lot about 19th century France. Berthe Bovary is an interesting main character. Although this novel is set in the 19th century, she sounds like a modern character. Her independence as a woman is unusual for woman living during that time period.

Still, her character personalities makes her a character easy to like. It is wonderful that Linda Urbach gives readers a chance to view the world from Berthe's point of view since the novel by Flaubert focuses on Berthe's mother. I was fascinated by the descriptions of dress designs. Dress designers are very much artists just as painters are.

Dresses in 19th century France is different from dresses nowadays.

While dresses nowadays have simple designs, the dresses in 19th century France featured more dramatic designs that were eye-catching. Urbach describes the dresses well; readers are able to vividly imagine the dress designs. The ending of Madame Bovary's Daughter left much to be desired. I thought that it was too rush. The ending left blanks and questions for me.

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After reading more than pages, I had expected a better ending. It definitely could have been better and more satisfying, but sometimes it is up to readers to fill in the blanks using their imaginations! Aug 30, Kate rated it it was ok Shelves: Since I love Madame Bovary, coming across this title seemed like a wonderful way to carry on the story. It purports to be a sequel, detailing what happens to Berthe Bovary after her mother's suicide. However, it has very little to do with anything in the Flaubert masterpiece.

Rodolphe, Madame Bovary's lover, reappears, entirely recast from his careless, playboy self, into a mean-spirited rapist. The elder Madame Bovary becomes a French peasant version of the wicked stepmother in Cinderella. And r Since I love Madame Bovary, coming across this title seemed like a wonderful way to carry on the story. And really, that's what this book is: It was interesting to see bit of French history intertwined with the gratuitous sex and unrealistic plot leaps: Millet makes and appearance, as well as the Bon Marche store, and Charles Worth.

But despite the author's note in the end that says she spent time researching the history of the period, the whole book is written from a modern mind, and as such, ignores many social conventions. I would like to remind Urbach that women were not allowed to own property at all in this time period, especially if unmarried. Women did not ask for raises, did not protest working conditions and did not offer advice to men on how to run their businesses.

Berthe in this novel is a fully evolved 21st century character plunked into 19th century France. The story is fine until the point where Berthe leaves her job in the cotton mill, and then it becomes a fabulist tale of unrealistic proportions. A quick read, but don't expect to be wowed by the writing. The original Madame Bovary was a commentary on life in the country and the characters that lived there.

Madame Bovary's daughter is an overripe fairy tale. Aug 20, Aurelia rated it it was ok Shelves: I think my biggest mistake was reading it immediately after Madame Bovary itself, which sets such a high standard for writing style and characterization. You can tell that Linda Urbach tried to capture some of the descriptive elements of Flaubert's writing, but it was halfhearted and never really fleshed out. By the end of this book, I felt like my brain was in a ping pong match - the sudden shifts in emotions and random happenings were too forced.

It became a roller coaste This book was It became a roller coaster of a plot, and I could never quite settle in. It's one thing to have a plot keep you on your toes, but it needs to at least be somewhat grounded.

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Berthe's character was shockingly naive, which would make sense in the beginning of her development but I found myself growing frustrated at her naivete that continued to influence her decisions at the end of the novel. It's so easy to connect to Madame Bovary's character because she is believable. Urbach's depiction of Berthe, however, is somehow simultaneously flighty and holier-than-thou.

I was really confused as to the message the author was trying to send as well. Is dreaming good or bad?