Sentimental Education by Gustave Flaubert translated by Robert Baldick
This felt like a lite version of Les Miserables. There are some people with intertwined lives. There is a another revolution going on in France. The people are revolting, but having a hard time deciding what they really want to do. Those remaining are interested in affairs and the like. The central character is attracted to a woman. It was tough to the characters. The audiobook didn't mention the translator at all. Hopefully AI got it right.
Madame Bovary is the story of a bored young woman who wants more from her life. She engages in a number of hedonistic activities and a engages in various dishonest behaviors. Eventually things begin to unravel and she takes her own life. It can be a challenge to keep track of what is going on at first. However, it does start to tie together well at the end.