Although your critique is reminiscent of some of the worst quotes from Sam Bankman Fried, I was intrigued, until you praised Pennac and Nothomb. Nothomb is a big bag of nothing. Pennac is nice and funny and is part of the readings I have been recommending to my kids, but he's not in the same league as Flaubert. In fact it's not even the same sport.

It's possible you disliked Flaubert because it was compulsory. Same thing happened to me with Stendhal. If so, may I suggest you try again.