Reading list: unfinished novels

At the Independent, Gillian Orr came up with a brief reading list of unfinished novels, with one title each for the categories postmodernism, crime, modernism, autobiographical, and satire.

The satirical novel on the list:

Bouvard et Pécuchet by Gustave Flaubert

A year after his 1880 death, the unfinished Bouvard et Pécuchet was published. Flaubert intended it to be his masterpiece, surpassing all his other work, including, Madame Bovary. Although he was never able to complete it, fans of Flaubert have enjoyed his scathing view of the bourgeoisie.

Read about another novel on the list.

Bouvard and Pécuchet also appears on Michael Foley's top ten list of absurd classics, John Mullan's list of ten of the best unfinished literary works, and John Sutherland's list of the best books about listing.

--Marshal Zeringue