This review of Barbara Vinken’s book Durchkreuzte Moderne on Flaubert focuses on its twofold conception of literature as both rewriting older texts and expressing psychoanalytic theorems, which had led the author to a new theological and allegorical reading of many of Flaubert’s works, even his so-called realistic novels. Inherent characteristics of the theoretical basis as well as insights and deficits deriving from its practical implementation are examined and carefully weighed up in order to determine the general applicability of this approach and the extent to which it is compatible with traditional interpretations.