Vyprávění o životě učitelů v pohraničí na severozápadní Moravě v době první republiky. Velkohubý šovinismus, sokolování, sbírková žebrota, lži o sociální spravedlnosti a hlavně bída, to vše formuje životy místních obyvatel. V takovém prostředí žije hrdina knihy, učitel Koukol. Celou duší věří v komunismus, ale je příliš mlád a nešťastný, aby nepropadl tehdy módnímu anarchismu alespoň způsobem svého života. Přestože originál byl napsán v roce 1933 k prvnímu vydání došlo teprve v roce 1961.
Reproduction of the original: Scenes from a Courtesan ́s Life by Honore de Balzac
Prompted by his theories of heredity and environment, Zola set out to show Nana, "the golden fly," rising out of the underworld to feed on society—a predetermined product of her origins. Nana's latent destructiveness is mirrored in the Empire's, and they reflect each others' disintegration and final collapse in 1890. Built around the book's scientific skeleton is a powerful, sensual atmosphere, and a rich use of words which elevate the novel beyond the realistic platform into a "poem of male desires."
Gustave Flaubert's novel is a landmark of the nineteenth century, known for its influence and controversy. In this Penguin Classics edition, translated by Geoffrey Wall and featuring a preface by Michele Roberts, we meet Emma Bovary, a beautiful yet discontented woman trapped in a mundane marriage to a mediocre doctor. Longing for excitement, she immerses herself in sentimental novels and seeks escape through extravagant spending and affairs. However, her pursuits lead to disappointment and tragic consequences. Upon its publication in 1857, Flaubert's candid exploration of Emma's desires sparked moral outrage, with many women claiming to be reflections of her character. Flaubert famously stated, "Madame Bovary, c'est moi," asserting a personal connection to his creation. Born in Rouen in 1821, Flaubert turned to writing after an illness disrupted his law career. Although the novel garnered immediate acclaim, its frank depiction of adultery led to a trial for immorality, from which he narrowly escaped conviction. Despite limited success during his lifetime, Flaubert's reputation grew posthumously. If you appreciated this work, you may also enjoy Stendhal's The Red and the Black, available in Penguin Classics. A.S. Byatt praised it as "enchanting and terrible," while Kate Summerscale noted its innovative style.