In these two short novels, Francois Mauriac further explores the central theme of his life work: the mystery of love revealed through suffering. Mauriac, who won the 1952 Nobel Prize for literature, was a comitted Catholic whose faith nonetheless refused sentimentalism or happy endings.
In "The Enemy," we meet an ugly man who through his family's wealth (and his own ill-advised reading of a chapter of Nietzsche) marries a beautiful woman who despises him. "The Weakling" likewise is a protagonist whose physical attributes help create for him a world of terrible suffering at the hands of others. Grace--that most mysterious of Christian experiences--comes through each character to those around them. Those "normal" folk who more resemble the majority of us...
I cannot recommend these works, or any of Mauriac's works, highly enough. He is one of France's great undiscovered treasures, who (though he inspired and was the friend of such figures as Elie Weisel and Graham Green) has been all but forgotten. One needn't embrace his Catholicism to sense the profound truth of the Christian faith he espoused, nor the beautiful way in which he espoused it. Sadly beautiful...

This book is a wonderful story and I recommend it to everyone!

The Great War, largely unknown to most Americans today, was one of the great turning points of history. In addition to millions of men, other victims of the War were Faith, Hope, and Glory, and the comforting sense that all would come right in the end. Twentieth-century despair and cynicism were born in the mud and blood of Flanders and Picardy.
The remarkably persistent pull of the conflict is represented here by works prepared for a 1994 joint seminar by the Great War Society and the Western Front Association. Papers include explorations of the role of forts in both World Wars, a splendid analysis of the German soldier by Dennis Showalter, and an inquiry into the death of von Richthoven. Desmond Morton recounts the experiences of Canadian POW's, (they were shamefully mistreated by the Germans - Hunnish excess did not originate with the Nazis), and Paul Fussell presses on with his familiar themes, most of which will be of limited interest to the average reader of military history. A very worthwhile collection overall, however.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score' books.)

In my opinion, this book isn't for Pokemon fans who want to catch more Pokemon. It's more of a little kid's book. A lot of Pokemon are living together in the forest, when Clefairy loses it's voice. This is bad, because it's Clefairy's job to wake all the other Pokemon up in the morning. The elder tells the Pokemon that someone has stolen Clefairy's voice, so Clefairy's friends go on a search to find it. They look all over the forest for it, but it turns out a little girl found Clefairy's voice, trapped in a bottle. The little gives it to a Ponyta and Clefairy gets it's voice back. I think this is a good book because it teaches two lessons. One, it teaches kids not to give up. Two, it teaches kids that sometimes you need help from others to get a job done. All in all, I think this would be a very good book for kids.

I found this to be one of the most helpful works on Hopkins that I have read. On all occasions Ward shows a respect and attention to the poet that is quite refreshing. Her unique insistence on understanding the serious importance of his intellectual formation (which included close study of Ruskin, Newman, Scotus, and Catholic sacramental theology), makes a powerful case for reconsidering the assumptions of both excesively pious critics who see in Hopkins a mystic who intuited great spiritual truths without employing his immense intellectual gifts to sort out the theological facts, and of postmodern writers who correlatively assume that Hopkins actually had a weak and degenerate mind, and that his obvious poetic gifts had nothing to do with the quality or consistency of the superstitions that he communicated using those gifts.

Ward makes her case in each chapter by communicating concisely and interestingly the key thoughts of those intellectual figures and movements that strongly influenced Hopkins, and then by very persuasively revealing the real influence of those thinkers by using their thoughts in the exposition of many of his major poems. My academic training is in philosophy, and I was especially impressed with how well the focus of the book on communicating philosophical theology in order to understand Hopkins does not prevent a serious presentation of the ideas of the thinkers in question--the treatment of Scotus, for example, reveals that Dr. Ward has read much more broadly in the writings of the difficult 13th century friar than is normal for a literary critic trying to understand what Hopkins means by the terms "instress" and "inscape," and what he means when he refers them to Scotus's philosophy.

Many have noticed the influence that poets like Shakespeare and Milton have exerted on Hopkins's imagery and sound, but this book fills a gaping hole in Hopkins scholarship by seriously exploring the tremendous influence that Hopkins's favorite philosophers, theologians, and critics had on the thought that undergirds that use of imagery and sound. Highly recommended.

A superb, fast paced book with excellent character development. A well thought out and researched plot that takes you through the action of a floundering oil tanker in the North Seas, middle eastern terrorism and the ins and outs of insurance fraud, with much more. EXcellent reading that keeps the reader attention throughout.

This book was written by the Rev. E. Gerard Carroll DD, Ph

I couldn't have been more impressed with this oversized, picture packed coffee table book. Rather than following the same old biography style, and sharing all the details of his family life, Elvis gives his readers a peak into the mind of world champion figure skater. For his fans, it was a chance to get to know him a bit more and the title couldn't be more fitting to someone who always gives his all to his performances. I appreciate his honesty and his humility as he shares about his experiences.

A very inspiring and delightful book with some great *quotables* in it! I look forward to enjoying some more awesome skating from this classy champion!

A must-have for all skating fans!

This book is a must for any fan of men's figure skating, featuring hundreds of photos of the sport's newest legend, Elvis Stojko. In addition, the accompanying text is the skater's own words on striving for excellence, competing, expressing himself on the ice, touring and family-- full of insight into this fascinating athlete.

The photos, by the talented Gerard Chataigneau, capture the very essence of this multifaceted young man, in a variety of situations from the Olympics to relaxing with his friends and family. It's truly an inside look at a top skater.

In this age of sound bites and packaging, it's refreshing to see an athlete who is true to what he believes in, his own vision. Elvis is one inspiring man and this book is a delight!

This is a beautiful book that I return to again and again. The photographs by Gerard Chataigneau are totally gorgeous, capturing the essence of Elvis both on and off ice. There are many excellent photographs of Elvis skating, over a period of several years, and also Elvis engaged in other pursuits -- jet-skiing, martial arts, dirtbiking -- the photographer must have spent a lot of time photographing Elvis on many different occasions. It is fascinating reading what Elvis has to say. If you like Elvis, you want to have this book.

This guidebook is great for its pictures and detailed diagrams of major sites, neighborhoods, and buildings. The book is absolutely filled with brilliant photos that help visitors (especially first time visitors like myself) see what the sites look like. It also has photos of practical things such as roadsigns, the euro currency in all denominations, police cars, telephones, and even food. This might seem silly, but it's very helpful to know how to use their telephones and to learn which coins are which before going over there. It has a limited list of places to stay and doesn't go into detail about how to get to all the sites they cover. This is why I think this shouldn't be the only guide you buy if you're planning a trip to Ireland. It is definately one of the ones to buy, however. Another note: if you're like myself, and plan to travel light to Ireland, keep in mind that this book is rather heavy because of the thick, glossy pages - they're great for the pictures, but they'll weigh down your bag. Hope this helps!

This is the one travel guide to take with you. I am going to Ireland this coming Nov.and wanted a guide on where we will be going and what we will be doing and seeing. Took a look at a number of guides and was not happy with them. Most of them are too much "talk", Found the "Eyewitness Travel Guides from Dorling Kindersley, The Multimedia CD publisher. The book is great, as is their other Travel Guides. The 3D maps and cutaway illustrations are worth the price alone. I am going to buy there other guides as well. I live in NJ just accross from NYC and learned a few thing about the Big Apple I did not know. In short Buy it you'll like it.

I am getting ready to take a trip and wanted to buy a good travel guide to Ireland. I looked at a number of guide books and they were all talk and little else. I picked up the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide about Ireland from Dorling Kindersley, the same people who do the CDs. It was the best guide book of the bunch. The photos, maps illustrations and narrative are all first class. I looked as some of their other guide books, such as New York, London and Paris, all first class. I plan to buy them all. I live across the river from NYC, and lived in New York state for over 35 years. I learned a number of things from the NYC book. Get them, you will be hard pressed to find better travel guides

Book Review for Madame Bovary

By: Eva Krauss

"She bent over him, and murmured, as if choking with intoxication: 'Oh, do not move! Do not speak! Look at me! Something so sweet comes from your eyes that helps me so much!' She called him 'child. 'Child, do you love me?' And she did not listen for his answer, so eager were her lips to fasten on his mouth." As women are unhappy with their marriage they turn to adultery to satisfy their needs. Gustave Flaubert presents an exceptional novel that follows the life of Emma Bovary as she falls prey to adultery and dept during her short but eventful life. Madame Bovary takes place in the countryside surrounding Paris shortly after the exciting 1848 French Revolutions. The novel is packed with vivid description of the countryside and cities that portray lavish lifestyles. Most of the action in the novel occurs in the home of a small town doctor, various powerful scenes takes place in secluded areas that only the two characters involved are aware of their occurrences. Secret meetings dominate a majority of the novel; theses meetings are between the main character (a married woman) and a man. All of these meetings are keep secret from her husband. Emma Bovary is the novels main character; she is a very dynamic character because her mindset changes, as she becomes experienced in the outside world. After her first visit to the city to attend a ball she becomes captivated by a Viscount who danced with Emma for a couple of hours during her night at the ball. Emma was a character that grew with each turn of the page, she started out as a typical young woman and ended up becoming corrupt and deceitful as she held secrets about her love affairs and her enormous dept she had accumulated during the course of her life. Charles Bovary was Emma's faithful husband who supported Emma during her many ordeals. Which included the loss of one of her secret lovers and the shock that Emma received when she was unable to obtain money from anyone further deter her enormous depth. You need to be content with your situation in life, things will get better but you need to understand unlike Emma that you need to think of the results of your action because it might come back to haunt you. Madame Bovary may seem like a long and tedious novel, but as soon as you get started you realize the talent of Flaubert as he explicated the use of literary devices to convey the life of Emma Bovary. As you begin to read, you are introduced to the main characters and their ambitions in life, this may not seem exciting at first, but as the novel progresses you are engrossed in the story line so much that the tedious first few chapters are all worth the trouble. The strong and deep story line keeps you on the edge of your seat because you never know what the next page will reveal. Will Charles Bovary find out about his wife's numerous affairs with other men? Or will Emma from her distraught state commit suicide because she feels that there is no way out? All of these exciting questions will keep you wondering you will not want to put down this exciting novel. Flaubert is a master in describing the society of the Parisians in the late 19th century, he successfully incorporates vivid descriptions and colorful dialogue to show us how Emma Bovary falls into adultery and depth and eventual death at her own hand. If you read this novel you will gain insight into the various lifestyles of not only the country folks but the life of the rich and prosperous. After reading this novel you will also understand the destructive nature of both adultery and uneconomical spending. Both of which might aid you in pursuing and reaching you life goals with the least amount of bumps. Madame Bovary is a master piece in historical literature because it has withstood the test of both time and society, each new generation clings to this novel as a dear sister because of the life lessons that can be gained form reading this powerful novel.

Madame Bovary: Patterns of Provincial Life by Gustave Flaubert; translated by Francis Steegmuller. Recommended.

Surprisingly, Madame Bovary begins with a look at the painful childhood of the seemingly dull and plodding man who will become the title character's longsuffering husband, Charles Bovary. The novel commences with a mysterious "we"-the identity of the narrator who tells the story of Bovary's ignominious entry into school is not known-but then changes to third-person omniscient. Charles is a conscientious, yet average, student, whose school, career, lodgings, and even first wife are selected by his mother. His marriage to Emma Bovary, the daughter of an apparently prosperous farmer, is the first major decision he makes for himself about his life and borders on an act of rebellion. That this act of independence should have such tragic consequences only adds to their effect.

Like many of her class, Emma is a romantic dreamer-but one who expects others to make those dreams into reality. Within a short time of her wedding, perhaps even on the day after, "the bride made not the slightest sign that could be taken to betray anything at all." For Charles Bovary, however, marriage to Emma-following as it does on the heels of his first marriage to a thin, complaining huissier's widow whose financial assets prove to be negligible-seems to be the culmination of happiness. "He was happy now, without a care in the world." Every moment spent with her, each of her gestures, "and many other things in which it had never occurred to him to look for pleasure-such now formed the steady current of his happiness."

When her marriage proves to be a plunge into a provincial life devoid of the romance promised by books, arts, and a naïve imagination, Madame Bovary blames her average, unambitious husband, Flaubert writes, ". . . following formulas she believed efficacious, she kept trying to experience love . . . Having thus failed to produce the slightest spark of love in herself, and since she was incapable of understanding what she didn't experience, or of recognizing anything that wasn't expressed in conventional terms, she reached the conclusion that Charles's desire for her was nothing very extraordinary." With that inescapable conclusion in mind, Emma is free to find "love" elsewhere-for example, in a recurring fantasy about a count who dances with her at an aristocrat's party; with the worldly Rodolphe Boulanger for whom she is little more than another in a string of mistresses; and for the young student-clerk Léon Dupuis for whom she is a brilliant, sympathetic flower among the colorless bourgeoisie.

Although Steegmuller mentions in the "Translator's Introduction," "Flaubert's supposed conception of his heroine as a character too sublime for this world," Emma is neither sublime nor sympathetic. Rather than seek happiness within or to improve herself, or to appreciate the value of even her uninspiring husband, she blames others for the monotony of her life and its lack of excitement and passion. She cannot find consolation in her daughter ("she wanted a son"), and neglects and even mistreats her. She tries to bolster herself through Charles's position, at the cost of a young man's leg. The village abbé, Bournisien, is oblivious to her emotional turmoil and pain and advises her to "drink a cup of tea" as a remedy. His nemesis Homais, a pseudoscientific pharmacist who is the archetype for the petit bourgeoisie, drowns out all around him with his droning theories and ideas, including Madame Bovary and his hapless assistant Justin. There are no kindred spirits for Emma in either Tostes or Yonville l'Abbaye.

As her actions lead her into a downward emotional and financial spiral, Emma finds nothing around her to which to turn and no one to help, except if she is willing to prostitute herself. Her life, built on her dreams and her sacrifice of others, is doomed. By the end of the novel, she has been reduced to little more than a scheming adulteress and petty debtor. Ironically, her husband's passion and grief for her bring out the personal nobility to which she was purposely blind. He has always had that to which she aspired.

Although Emma Bovary is certainly impossible to forget, equally memorable are all the novel's supporting characters, from Tuvache and his lathe and the lovesick Justin to Homais, whose banality throughout may be summed up by his award of the cross of the Legion of Honor. This last is a suitable ending for this study of the patterns of provincial life.

Diane L. Schirf, 13 June 2003.

The language of Madame Bovary lingers on the tongue long after the final page has been read. It is true poetry. Madame Bovary is an entertaining book mixed with adultery, secrecy and arsenic. The two main characters, Emma and Charles, are true opposites. Charles represents a mind based solely in reality, lacking imagination. He is a dimwitted country doctor who remains happy as long as he makes everyone else happy. He has no desire for riches and merriment. His wife, though-- Emmma Bovary-- contradicts him. She embodies a romantic, head-in-the-clouds soul. As the book carries on, her soul flickers like a flame, and every time she catches a glimpse of finery, that flame conflagrates; every time she attends a dance or visits Paris, that flame builds inside her-- hungry, wanting more. She reads romance novels and believes that is how life really should be. When she commits adultery, it is not about the adultery to Emma. It is about the fantasy she believes she is fulfilling. But, to Emma, it seems that no matter what she does, she cannot feel fulfilled. That flame just rises and rises in her and she cannot control it with any amount of trinkets and satin curtains. She is tragic because she is destined to be unhappy; her dreams are too high out of reach. Her only option is to be engulfed in a flame she cannot squelch. In the meantime, Charles is increasingly upset by her as well. After all, he only wants to make others happy, and his dearly-loved wife is not happy. This book truly represents two worlds at odds: reality versus fantasy. It is fascinating and I would truly recommend it.