The Temptation of Saint Anthony

First published in 1874, ‘The Temptation of Saint Anthony’ is a novel which French author Gustave Flaubert worked on throughout his life. Inspired by the painting of the same name following a visit to Genoa in his youth, Flaubert became captivated by the picture and wrote a story inspired by it in three parts. The story centres around Saint Anthony who, living alone in the Egyptian desert, is visited by visions and temptations which he must resist. Full of philosophical and existential themes, this is an original and fascinating story by the famous French novelist.

Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) was a French novelist, best known for his scandalous novel ‘Madame Bovary’. Born in Rouen, Flaubert began writing at an early age. He moved to Paris to study law, where he met contemporaries such as Victor Hugo. First serialised in the Revue de Paris, ‘Madame Bovary’ initially faced legal action from the government on the charge of immorality – but Flaubert was acquitted, and novel has since become perhaps his most popular and famous work. Other works include historical novel ‘Salammbo’ and ‘A Sentimental Education’ a novel which dealt with the difficulties of human aspiration. One of the most important European writers of the 19th century, Flaubert died in France in 1880.