
GUSTAVE FLAUBERT - TROIS CONTES - UN COEUR SIMPLE LA LÉGENDE DE SAINT-JULIEN L'HOSPITALIER HÉRODIAS - CINQUIÈME ÉDITION 1877 - UN COEUR SIMPLE
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LA LÉGENDE DE SAINT JULIEN L'HOSPITALIER
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In this collection, the first tale follows Félicité, a quietly steadfast servant whose life is defined by routine and devotion. From the cramped, aging house of the Aubain family to the modest comforts she creates for herself, her days unfold in a rhythm of work, prayer, and modest pleasures—a single slice of bread stretched over weeks, a rosary held by the firelight. Through her measured gestures and unremarkable appearance, the narrative gently reveals a heart that endures hardship with an almost wooden grace, hinting at deeper layers of faith and loyalty.
The remaining stories turn to other ordinary lives touched by chance encounters and fleeting love. A young farm girl is swept into a lively village fête, where an elegant stranger offers music, cider, and a brief, unsettling dance. Later, on a quiet country road, she confronts another moment that will shape her path. Each vignette offers a tender portrait of everyday people navigating desire, loss, and the quiet heroism found in simple, unadorned lives.
Language
fr
Duration
~3 hours (182K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Tonya Allen, Renald Levesque and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. This file was produced from images generously made available by the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF/Gallica) at http://gallica.bnf.fr.,
Release date
2004-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1821–1880
Best known for Madame Bovary, he helped shape literary realism with an exacting style and a sharp eye for ordinary lives. His work still stands out for its precision, irony, and deep influence on the modern novel.
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