Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) was a French novelist and short story writer, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in Western literature. He is best known for his novel Madame Bovary (1857), which tells the story of a woman who seeks to escape her mundane life through a series of extramarital affairs. Flaubert's writing style is characterized by its precision, its economy of language, and its attention to detail. He was a master of the art of creating vivid characters and settings, and his works are often seen as a precursor to the modernist movement. Flaubert was also a prolific letter writer, and his correspondence with friends and family provides a fascinating insight into his life and work. He was a passionate advocate of freedom of expression, and his works often explore themes of morality, sexuality, and social class. Flaubert's influence on literature is still felt today, and his works remain popular and widely read.