Maurice Leblanc, Gustave Flaubert’s countryman, author of
the famous series of novels and short stories about adventures of “gentlemanburglar”
Arsène Lupin, from his youth had an interest in works of the author
of "Madame Bovary". The interest was shared by his sister Georgette Leblanc, a
singer, actress and writer. This essay critically examins the early prose of
Maurice Leblanc, its connections with the traditions of Flaubert and with
typical for “fin de siècle” erotic prose of decadence. A special attention is paid
to the novel "A woman" and its parallels and allusions to "Madame Bovary". This
essay shows the peculiarities of Leblanc’s description of Roune (against the
background of a nagative perception of the city by Flaubert).
Keywords
novel; short story; detective story; review; mass literature; prose; Rouen; adultery; marriage.