A Complex Heart:
Gustave Flaubert (1821-80)
Flaubert's Madame Bovary is now recognised as one of the first great modern novels. It is set, like many of his works, in Normandy, where Flaubert spent nearly all his life. In this programme Julian Barnes. one of this country's leading young novelists and a lifelong devotee of Flaubert, revisits France to explore the author he admires most. He traces the often bizarre course of Flaubert's life, describes the genesis of his major books and assesses his importance as a writer.
Flaubert is portrayed by Richard Bebb in extracts from the novelist's diaries and letters.
Photography JOHN ELSE Film editor JOHN KEENAN
Producer DAVID r. tvrnsuu,