A Simple Heart
Flaubert may be my all time favorite writer.
I remember going to D.C. a few years back and having a few hours to kill before my plane left so I went to the National Gallery. I didn’t have a bunch of time so I went straight to the Old Master and found myself standing in front of a self portrait by Rembrandt. I stood there about 5 feet away and was stunned and humbled. I couldn’t imagine someone having that much talent.
Flaubert is that good and A Simple Heart (also titled A Simple Soul) is like that painting. Stunning. Humbling. Quietly profound.
5 stars and a nomination to be put on the “best novellas of all time” list.