Bouvard and Pécuchet

Exploring the folly of human ambition and the pursuit of knowledge, this novel follows two clerks, Bouvard and Pécuchet, who, after inheriting a fortune, attempt to master various fields, from medicine to philosophy. Their relentless quest for expertise leads to a series of comical failures and disillusionments, highlighting the absurdity of their endeavors and the limitations of self-education. Flaubert's satirical narrative critiques the era's obsession with knowledge and the often misguided nature of human aspirations.