A Simple Heart

A short novella published as a Penguin Little Black Classic. Translated from French, first published in 1877.This is a simple story outlining the life of an uneducated and somewhat naive servant woman Felicite, working for a wealthy woman, Madame Aubain for over fifty years. The story covers Felicite's early life, jilted by her only love, the growing of Madame Aubain's two children, the re-discovery of Felicite's sister and the nephew she never know about.She shared an unusual relationship with her employer and the children, whereby she felt genuinely appreciated and a part of the family, and although there were reminders of her position from time to time, she was quick for forgive and forget. A parrot gifted to her employer by a neighbour who was moving abroad, which was quickly passed on to Felicite becomes a focus in her life.Filled with small times of cheer, and proportionately more times of misery and misfortune, the story is well crafted, and keeps pace. The translation reads nicely, but of course I have no idea of the source material.This is my first reading of Flaubert's fiction (I have read [b:The desert and the dancing girls 529883 The desert and the dancing girls (Pocket Penguin 70s #17) Gustave Flaubert https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1175561907s/529883.jpg 517547] which was great travel observation writing), and I have a few of his other books kicking around, so I really must get onto one in the near future.