Flaubert’s First Novel

The Author: Alan Raitt (1930-2006) was one of the most distinguished French scholars of his generation. He was Professor of French at Oxford University and a Fellow of Magdalen College, and his books include landmark studies of Flaubert, Mérimée and Villiers de l’Isle-Adam. He was a Fellow of the British Academy, Commandeur dans l’Ordre des Palmes Académiques and General Editor of French Studies. He was founding editor of Peter Lang’s series ‘Le Romantisme et après en France’, for which he also wrote Flaubert et le théâtre, The Originality of Madame Bovary and Gustavus Flaubertus Bourgeoisophobus. This is his final book.

• Contents: Before L’Éducation sentimentale – Flaubert’s Literary Situation in 1843 – Flaubert’s Personal Situation in 1843 – The Genesis and Composition of L’Éducation sentimentale – Structure and Sense of L’Éducation sentimentale – Flaubert’s Art in L’Éducation sentimentale – The Two Éducations sentimentales – The Status of the 1845 Éducation sentimentale.

«This slim volume, the most important study in English to date of the first ‘Éducation sentimentale’, is a rich finale to the career of one of our greatest Flaubertians.» (Timothy Unwin, Modern Language Review)