Charles Bovary was a quiet and shy young man who had just become a doctor. He moved to the small village of Tostes in France to start his medical practice. Though not very intelligent or ambitious, he was kind and hardworking.
At a local wedding, Charles met Emma Rouault, the beautiful daughter of a farmer. He was immediately attracted to her gentle smile and graceful manners. After treating her father's broken leg, Charles began visiting the Rouault farm regularly.
Emma had spent most of her life in a convent school, where she had read romantic novels that filled her head with dreams of love and adventure. She was disappointed by the quiet life in the countryside and longed for something more exciting and passionate.
Despite their different personalities, Charles and Emma fell in love and decided to marry. Charles was delighted to have found such a beautiful wife, while Emma hoped that marriage would bring her the romance and excitement she had read about in books.