Although this is a fictional novel, it ventures into the realms of a biography. Barnes, or rather, Geoffrey Braithwaite, the 'author' and narrator, recounts many aspects of Gustave Flaubert's life, and presents us with biographical details and chronology. I suppose it could be said that the real writer, Barnes, is writing a fictional biography of the fictional biographer, Geoffrey Braithwaite, who in turn is writing a biography on the real writer, Gustave Flaubert. Due the …showed first 75 words of 1017 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1017 total…letter, I wasn't disappointed or even frustrated by the ambiguous end, as it seemed a fitting ending to the theme of the book, and it's uncertainties. Flaubert's Parrot, and Geoffrey/Barnes' enthusiasm for Flaubert, almost makes me want to read Flaubert (particularly Madame Bovary) for myself, and perhaps even check up some of the biographical details. I somehow think I'd be better served, and probably more content, however, simply trusting Geoffrey's word on the matter.