Madame Bovary LE - help me decide

Does anyone who has the Madame Bovary LE have any thoughts on this volume?

I think the distinguishing characteristic of this edition for me is the modern translation. Is there any other (non-mass market) edition with a modern translation? I'm unsure about the silk binding due to durability and potential fading. Like the paintings. I don't think I will pull the trigger on this any time soon as it doesn't look to sell out any time soon but would like to hear from any one who actually owns the volume.

It's lovely. I've had mine for a year, read it all the way through, no issues with durability. And I very much enjoyed the new translation.

It’s one of my favorite LEs. I’m really surprised it’s still available at the cost it’s priced at. Whether you get it now or later, if you can afford it, I wouldn’t let it slip away.

I suggest that all the marketing staff of the Folio Society are very keen that you should buy it and without further delay!

And I would suggest that anyone who needs help to decide doesn't really want the book.

>5 folio_books: that’s an unhelpful comment. It’s a fair chunk of money and I for one never get tired of reading about the pros and cons of various editions - that’s why I come here mostly. Half the joy of collecting books is the process of deciding whether or not a book deserves to be bought after all…

I like pros and cons too. I’ve thought about buying this version too, but as with Tristram Shandy, I think it’s too much for a book and I wouldn’t appreciate the extras enough. For Bovary, at the time I did some research on translations and felt that this one didn’t seem to be notably better than the one in my Everyman’s Library volume so passed.

I have it and love it. Its the total package, great novel, beautifully illustrated, a pleasure to hold, the silk boards feel as if your hands on the back of emma's gown at chateau La Vaubyessard. And it looks smashing up on the shelf.

>6 stopsurfing:
that’s an unhelpful comment.
I disagree: if undecided then not buying is a pretty good basis on which to make a buying decision IMO.
Having said that, >1 punkzip: didn't actually say s/he wanted help in deciding to buy, but was simply garnering opinions.

>9 Willoyd: I am thinking about buying which I did mention

>10 punkzip:
I thought you said you weren't going to pull the trigger anytime soon. My misinterpretation.

>11 Willoyd: not anytime soon because it doesn’t look like it is selling quickly, not because I’m not thinking of buying

>5 folio_books: simple and useful advice, which in my personal experience (when contemplating buying something), tends to be soon discarded and forgotten. I should write this on a note and put it inside my wallet.

I was also surprised at the advice as quite often I feel I’ve seen the sentiment to not dither too much, especially with secondary market prices being what they are.

>9 Willoyd: maybe I misinterpreted. To me it sounded like, “don’t waste our time with your dithering”. However, I am often reminded of how nuances of expression are often lost on the internet…

I almost always wait until an LE I want gets down to 20 copies or so before pulling the trigger and purchasing it (as I just did with Cinderalla/Sleeping Beauty). However, this string about "dithering" has made me go ahead and order a copy. Thanks for the enabling.

>16 podaniel: Please let us know what you think when you get it.

The illustrations/paintings are wonderful but for me there's too much cheap competition (several other Madame Bovary limited/illustrated editions). Would love to get a suite of prints though for wall hanging.

Not sure if this will help anyone decide one way or the other, but I have received two copies this week, due to damage which was present on the first, which is unfortunately also present on the replacement copy. They were (as always) very good about getting the replacement sent out, and I am currently waiting to hear what they suggest be done about the damage on the replacement - I don't expect them to send out a third while I am sat on two copies, I just need them to send a second return label so I can return both this weekend.

Curious if anyone else has received a damaged copy, or if I have just been incredibly unlucky?

The damage in question is several scratches across the front and back cover. Due the the material used (I believe silk, but some sort of cloth in any case) these scratches mean that several thread ends are visible, and I imagine if these were pulled on a large part of the cover would unravel (obviously I have not tried this). It doesn't massively affect the appearence of the book, although certainly isn't ideal for an LE, as it is clearly not right, but the main reason I will be returning both copies is that I can't see any way that it doesn't become worse over time.