What does the term Flaubertian mean in literature?

The term Flaubertian is an adjective used to describe something that relates to or is characteristic of the French novelist Gustave Flaubert or his realistic novels.21

In a literary context, the term often evokes Flaubert’s distinct approach to writing, which emphasized:

• Stylistic Precision: Flaubert famously sought le mot juste—the "unique right word"—to convey his thoughts with the precision of science while maintaining a rhythmic, musical quality in his prose.2
• Objective Narration: He advocated for an authorial presence that was "present everywhere and visible nowhere," maintaining a detached, drily ironic, and analytical perspective.23
• Thematic Realism: His work is noted for its portrayal of bourgeois life and the exploration of how individuals, such as Emma Bovary, struggle to reconcile their personal ideals with the banality of the modern world.43

Ultimately, Flaubertian writing is defined by the meticulous reworking of language to elevate raw material into art, ensuring that the style itself molds to the specific perceptions and limitations of the characters being depicted.3