Madame Bovary's Ovaries: A Darwinian Look at Literature

In this enjoyable incursion into human nature via literature, Barash & Barash gracefully rise above the somewhat obscure practice of literary criticism (on an academic level). In the tradition of Dawkins, Pinker, Buss and other evolutionary theorists who have managed to transmit the latest scientific "findings" to the lay-but-interested reader, the authors of this book propose to (begin to) answer a lingering question: what makes works of literature universally appealing to generations of readers? Sure, there is the individual writer's style, originality, social conscience (none of this will be denied by this book) - but the main thing that makes Homer, Shakespeare, Flaubert or Faulkner so successful, Barash & Barash propose, might have more to do with nature than with art (for art's sake). In that sense, even the title of the book is most fortunate, since it already indicates how much the latter is linked to the first. Throughout the book, the reader is urged to look at a great number of renowned works of literature from the "gene's eye-view", with Barash & Barash providing the essential tools by explaining the ABC of evolution through natural selection (often enough quoting or referring to the pioneering work of scientists who contributed to the understanding of the gene as the single unit of selection - and the implications of this on organisms' behaviour and tactics). Since maximizing one's chances of passing one's genes on to the next generation is just about all ANY organism on this planet can (or should) "think of", it should come as no surprise that the main topics in literature have mostly revolved around a handful of questions: - Who should I reproduce with, in order to make sure that my genes get "properly" copied (i.e., combine with another set of genes that secures future reproductive success)? - (for males) How can I inseminate as many females as possible, thereby sending oodles of copies of my genes to the next generation - without having to pay the heavy price of wife & child support? - (for males again) How can I be sure that my reproductive partner isn't actually trying to get protection and support from me - and sperm from that nicer-looking guy next door? - (for females) How can I be sure that my reproductive partner won't take off as soon as I allow him to mix his sperm with my valuable egg - thereby leaving me alone with the heavy task of rearing the offspring? - (for females again) How can I "fool" a "generous" providing male to rear the child I have produced with another, more promising (but less resourceful) set of genes? - How can I make sure that my genetic legacy gets passed on - via my own children or at least nephews/nieces, cousins and the whole kin? - How kind should I be to anybody who is not genetically related to me - i.e., how will my genes benefit from my alliances with strangers? This doesn't mean that our brains (or those of literary characters) are openly concerned with these questions - rather,

"Madame Bovary's Ovaries" may have forever altered my approach to reading fiction. After devouring this fascinating study of human nature as portrayed by countless characters created in popular literature--from Shakespeare to Salinger, Hawthorne to Hardy, Kerouac to Kingsolver--I believe it has helped to give new and extended meaning to nearly every story I've ever read. There is thoughtful organization to the chapters as each introduces the sub-topic in a very clever and readable way. Through the work of Jane Austen we learn what women want and why. Through Othello, we become more sensitive to male insecurities. The authors use the Corleone family (The Godfather) to introduce the importance of genetics, shared DNA, and branch out to examine various familial relationships. By revisiting the life of Holden Caulfield the parent-child relationship is examined. Sibling relationships take center stage through Cain and Abel, Steinbeck's East of Eden and the daughters of King Lear; and step-parent/child dynamics ring true through the examples of David Copperfield and Cosette and Jean Valjean in Victor Hugo's Les Miserables. Even young Harry Potter gets a mention in this section. Each topic is packed with examples (at times too many, belaboring the point); however, it never fails to bring the reader back to basic biology: the birds and the bees. This is a well researched and fun read. The authors show deep respect not only for the extensive list of books/authors cited but also for the readers who "consume novels and plays, seeking sustenance along with pleasure." Using classic works to advance their theories, "Madame Bovary's Ovaries," is put forth as a tool to help readers more deeply enjoy reading by understanding and relating to a shared human experience. The readers know why. I highly recommend the read and my hat is off to this father-daughter writing team. Well done. From the author of "I'm Living Your Dream Life," and "The Things I Wish I'd Said," McKenna Publishing Group.

Literature, it's said, holds up a mirror to life. If our image of life is flawed or blurry the reflection will be hardly better. We are only now beginning to understand how life, especially human life, actually works. The Barashes, drawing on literature and the new science of evolutionary psychology, demonstrate that much of literature may be explained by biology. Instead of literature depicting limited or skewed views of morality or other ephemeral concepts, it can use universals applicable to all humanity. And that means the most enduring literature, no matter unconscious the author might be of Darwin's natural selection, still rests on evolutionary foundations. The authors, a father-daughter team, have scoured a wide range of literature, from Shakespeare through Tolstoy to Mark Twain, in demonstrating which human characteristics are best portrayed in fiction or drama. They are quick to insist that biology is not "the" tool for analysing writing, but is "a" tool. One which should be used more often and given more attention than it has. They show how Othello, a play whose characters have been adapted to endless variations, is at heart, about male jealousy. Nature teems with examples of manifestations of this basic trait, from the physical to the behavioural. Scientific publications present countless examples from insects to elephants. The chapter "The Key to Jane Austen's Heart" is about "what women want," and why. There's far more involved than Helen Hunt's ambition to be a successful manager or Freud's lack of answering his own question. The situation rests on finding the right mate. Like male jealousy, females of the species have a strong vested interest in what kind of male they select. Unlike males, females of many species, especially we primates, make a heavy investment in the reproductive process. For human females, there's the long gestation period, need for assistance during upbringing of the offspring and indication of long-term support. One of Darwin's great insights is that while males may do much posturing prior to copulation, it is the females who ultimately accept or reject the male's advances. This situation is reflected in the title of the book. While a female may accept one male for some aspects, she may wander afield searching for others for different reasons. Even a male bird seeking food or other mates may return to the nest to find himself displaced. Whose chicks will he be feeding? Once offspring have been produced, a whole new spectrum of behaviours is unleashed. How many stable households have been disrupted by parent-offspring conflict? Twain's Huckleberry Finn, with no mother and a dysfunctional father, moves from one surrogate family to another. None beat him, reject him nor judge him, but he leaves them all, closing his narrative with the intent to "light out for the territories". As children mature, they develop their own agendas. From the "terrible twos" to the stresses of adolescence, p

Don't let the fact that Madame Bovary's Ovaries is a fun read fool you; the ideas contained within will forever change the way that you read fiction. Barash and Barash have managed to cogently describe their clever new way to analyze literature. It makes so much sense, you'll ask yourself "why didn't I think of that". In fact, you'll wonder why generation upon generation of English Lit. professors failed to pick up where Darwin left off. I think it's safe to say that just about any lover of literature will enjoy a fresh perspective of their old favorites after reading Madame Bovary's Ovaries.

Madame Bovaries Ovaries was simply delightful. This is the perfect book for anyone interested in science, literature or both! This book offers a new look at the "human condition" so often referred to as a mysteriously intangible entity by dry literary critics. The Barashes simply suggest that this "condition" is a biological one, governed by (but not limited to) Darwinian principles. Their friendly and straightforth style makes this book a joy to read. Its more like a lively conversation than literary criticism. Their Darwinian look at literature was never dry nor heavy handed. The Barashes provide a refreshing new look at literature in a style that is witty, casual and ironic.