Bouvard und Pécuchet: Roman aus dem Nachlass

"Bouvard und Pécuchet: Roman aus dem Nachlass" by Gustave Flaubert is a novel written in the late 19th century. The story revolves around two middle-aged clerks, Bouvard and Pécuchet, who become friends and, upon inheriting a fortune, seek to escape their mundane lives by pursuing various interests and hobbies, each influenced by the fads and ideas they encounter. The book explores themes of knowledge, education, and social aspirations in a satirical manner. The opening of the novel sets the scene on a hot day in Paris, introducing the two main characters as they meet by chance at a park bench. Bouvard is a jovial, carefree individual, while Pécuchet is more serious and introspective. They engage in a conversation about their lives, their dissatisfaction with the city, and their desires for a simpler, more fulfilling existence. As they bond over personal reflections, their mutual yearning for change becomes apparent, and their decision to dine together marks the beginning of a deeper friendship that leads to their eventual pursuit of an idyllic rural life. (This is an automatically generated summary.)