Memoirs of a madman

'Memoirs of a Madman' (1838) was written by the great French author Gustave Flaubert, famous for his scandalous, best-selling novel 'Madame Bovary'. One of his earliest works, this captivating tale follows the recollections of a young man as he recounts his childhood innocence, followed by his painful, abrupt entry into the adult world. This powerful story highlights the author's views on the idealisation of women and lays the foundation for his renowned 'L'Education Sentimentale'. Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) was a French novelist, regarded as one of the greatest Western writers and a leading exponent of literary realism in France. A hugely influential figure, he is best known for his debut novel 'Madame Bovary' (1857) which caused a nationwide scandal upon publication with its realistic portrayal of bourgeois life. The historical novel 'Salammbô' and the painting-inspired 'The Temptation of Saint Anthony' are some of his other well-known works. Many of Flaubert's stories have since been adapted for TV and film including 'Madame Bovary' (2000) starring Hugh Bonneville and Greg Wise.