Gustave Flaubert’s Madame Bovary holds a place as one of the most important novels in literary history and a foundational work of French realism. The story of Emma Bovary, who fantasizes about a life away from stultifying provincial society, still captures our imagination. Adamant in her wish to be free, she racks up lovers, debts, lies and scandals — a hopeless plight that ultimately drives her to suicide. For the reader, it becomes a question of perspective whether she is a culprit or a victim, a sexual plaything or an emancipatory pioneer.