Madame Bovary is a novel written by Gustave Flaubert, first published in 1856. The book tells the story of Emma Bovary, a young woman who marries a doctor in the hopes of escaping her provincial life. However, Emma soon becomes disillusioned with her marriage and her mundane existence, and she begins to seek excitement and passion through a series of affairs. As Emma's debts pile up and her romantic fantasies go unfulfilled, she becomes increasingly desperate and delusional. The novel is a powerful critique of the societal constraints placed on women in Flaubert's time and the consequences of seeking fulfillment through empty pleasures. "Madame Bovary" is celebrated for its vivid characters, complex narrative, and realistic portrayal of human psychology. It is considered a masterpiece of literary realism and has influenced countless writers and artists in the years since its publication.