The Gustave Flaubert Library

The Gustave Flaubert Library

The Gustave Flaubert Library is a refuge for those who still believe that style is not an ornament, but a destiny. Here, books are not abridged, distorted, or hurried toward convenience; they are given whole, with the patience that art demands. Each episode offers a complete reading, so that the listener may surrender to the full cadence of a work, to its beauty, its irony, its languor, and its truth.

Episodes

April 23, 2026 26 mins
In which the young Frederick Moreau embarks on a contemplative river journey from Paris to his provincial home, encountering the vibrant and mysterious Arnoux family aboard the steamboat, amid the ebb and flow of social diversities and the gentle passage of landscape. His thoughts, touched by a burgeoning yearning and the mundane duties awaiting him, linger on the alluring figures he meets and the shadowed prospects of his impendin...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which the youthful aspirations of two friends unfold amidst the sober surroundings of college life and provincial hardship, their spirited conversations marked by dreams of intellectual riches and worldly success tempered by the realities of poverty and social rank. These tender exchanges and plans, woven through walks under fading daylight and the quiet streets of their town, reveal the delicate interplay of ambition, friendshi...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a young man arrives in Paris and navigates the complexities of social advancement, estranged acquaintances, and the idle melancholy of student life, all while fostering a fervent yet unfulfilled admiration for a distant woman. His days are punctuated by hesitant visits, introspective wanderings, and a mounting sense of solitude amid the city's indifferent grandeur.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which the young and observant Frederick finds himself swept into the lively currents of Parisian society, from student unrest to the smoky, cluttered ateliers and salons of artists, critics, and dealers, where ambition, art, and intrigue intertwine. Amidst these encounters, he is drawn towards the enigmatic Madame Arnoux and begins to discern the stirring of a profound, personal purpose within the city's fading splendours.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a young man embarks upon artistic pursuits and legal studies, while navigating the varied company of acquaintances and the stirrings of a profound, unspoken affection for a lady whose presence colours his days. Amid the earnest debates and modest aspirations of his youthful circle, he contemplates the vast city around him, caught between the hopes they inspire and the melancholies they conceal.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a lively public ball unfolds amidst a colourful garden setting, where various characters engage in flirtations, artistic discussions, and social ambitions, weaving a tapestry of Parisian society both vivid and subtly strained. The narrative then turns to quieter, more intimate scenes, revealing the complex emotions and restrained hopes of young men on the cusp of their futures, set against the calm of the countryside and t...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a young man, struck by sudden reverses in fortune, retreats into provincial solitude and melancholy, finding solace in the innocent companionship of a child amidst the quiet rhythms of country life. Yet, as the tides of fate shift once more, the delicate threads of connection and hope stir anew beneath the weight of impending change.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a young man returns to Paris with hopes buoyed by the visions of a splendid future, only to find the city and its inhabitants transformed and tangled in the ordinary toils of life, leading him on a weary search for vanished acquaintances and a reluctant re-immersion into society's colourful but chaotic soirées. Through encounters with old friends and the curious diversions of a masquerade ball, he confronts the mingled rea...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which Frederick embarks upon a restless entrance into Parisian society, acquiring a modest mansion and inviting his old comrades to a gathering that reveals the varied opinions and ambitions of men tethered to changing fortunes and ideals. Amidst contrasts of levity and gravity, he navigates the intricate domestic spheres of two women whose lives and desires entwine with his own, while wrestling with the stirring ambitions and d...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which the complexities of desire and societal ambitions intertwine as a young man navigates the elusive affections of a captivating woman, the intrigues of a painter’s artful portraiture, and the solemn pursuits of journalistic enterprise and political advancement. Amidst the glittering façades of high society and the whispered scandals of intimate confidences, he confronts the delicate balance between illusion and reality...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a young man becomes entangled in the troubled domestic and financial affairs of a household, observing with a mixture of admiration and sorrow the complicated dynamics between a husband, his wife, and their strained relations. Meanwhile, in the city’s dimly lit parlours and cafés, discussions of ambition, disappointment, and political idealism unfold, revealing the quiet desperation and tentative hopes that attend th...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a young man endeavours to soothe his troubled spirit through intellectual pursuits and undertakes a delicate mission to assist an embattled family, leading him to unexpected encounters amidst the earnest workings of industry and the quiet melancholy of provincial life. The visit reveals tender yet restrained exchanges with a lady whose serene composure both captivates and confounds him, casting a gentle light upon the intr...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a drive through sunlit Parisian streets leads to a lively horse-race gathering, where social diversions and complicated encounters unfold amidst the mingling of diverse characters and whispered intrigues. The evening closes in a café’s warm interior, where clashing personalities and subtle tensions reveal the delicate balance between desire, companionship, and unspoken disquiet.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a simmering conflict kindles into a tense duel, surrounded by a tableau of societal figures and the delicate dance of honour, pride, and despair. The unfolding events reveal the restless spirit of youth, the fragile veneer of civility, and the uneasy interplay of personal affronts and social expectations.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which the restless stirrings of society and personal ambition intertwine as a duel is narrowly averted, intrigues unfold beneath the shadow of financial ventures, and young Frederick navigates the delicate and often perplexing spheres of political conviction and social advancement. Amidst whispered suspicions and the unfolding dramas of relationships and reputation, the narrative gently exposes the subtle tensions between ideali...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a restless mind balances desperate ambition against unbidden passion, seeking leverage in social advancement while wrestling with the delicate intricacies of affection and rivalry. The tender awkwardness of youth and the shadow of past attachments mingle amid tranquil riverside gardens and the muted stirrings of hopeful yet hesitant hearts.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a return to Paris ushers in reflections on love, virtue, and the complexities of acquaintances old and new, all set against the wearying hum of political rancour and social gathering. The narrative gently unfolds amidst a cast of contrasting characters, whose ambitions and resentments mingle in scenes of poignant encounter and restless dialogue.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which the subtle tensions of restrained affection unfold amid quiet visits and delicate exchanges, while the shadows of illness and social unrest darken the edges of their fragile idyll. As hopes rise and falter beneath the changing seasons, the characters navigate a tender yet turbulent landscape of longing, doubt, and the inexorable demands of reality.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which the restless streets of Paris are swept by the fervour of insurrection, where barricades blaze and the old order crumbles under the tide of a people’s restless spirit, all observed by a young man both fascinated and bewildered by the spectacle of revolution’s raw energy. The aftermath reveals a city oscillating between jubilant destruction and tentative hope, as new voices rise, alliances shift, and the promise...
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
In which a spirited assembly of aspiring citizens gathers within a shabby chamber to debate fervently the rights of women, the future of the Republic, and the trials of political candidacy, revealing the variegated passions and follies of the populace. Meanwhile, amidst the turmoil, intimate tensions and fragile hopes unfold quietly in humble apartments, where loyalty and disappointment are tenderly interwoven.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal

    Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.

    The Breakfast Club

    The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show

    The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices