A captivating and evocative work, Memoirs of a Madman is one of Flaubert's earliest writings, and forms the basis for his highly renowned L'Education Sentimentale. As a young man looks back on the years that have brought him to "madness," he recalls the innocence of his boyhood and his fond belief that he was blessed with a mind of genius. Yet, painfully, wretchedly, he also recounts his all-too-sudden entry into the adult world. For the day he caught sight of a beautiful woman by the sea marked the end of his flamboyant philosophizing, and the beginning of a tragic coming of age.

Embittered by life, a young man looks back on the formative years that have brought him to this place of 'madness'.Recalling the innocence of his boyhood,he recounts his fond belief that he possessed a maturity beyond his years and was blessed with a mind of genius.Then he was free to grapple with the very deepest questions of life, convinced his thoughts contained eternal truths.Yet, painfully, wretchedly, he also recalls his all-too-sudden entry into the adult world. For the day he caught sight of a beautiful woman by the sea marked the end of his flamboyant philosophising,and the beginning of a tragic coming of age.

Memoirs of a Madman is one of Flaubert's earliest works, and is based on his encounter with Elisa Schlesinger during the summer of 1836.

Foreword by Germaine Greet

Introduction

Memoirs of a Madman

Bibfiomania

Notes

Biographical note