Saturday, April 16, 2011

A Sentimental Education

I just finished reading Flaubert's novel A Sentimental Education, and once again I am baffled by French literature. Published in 1869, it's the story of a young man. Frédérick, who is "sentimental" -- more than wise, practical, focused or ambitious, he seems to be at the mercy of his feelings, mostly for women. I think he's in love with four different women, often in overlapping periods of time, through the book. So, yes, it's sentimental.