Selected Short Stories of Guy de Maupassant

Author: Zhong Lei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-12-01
Features: Maupassant is hailed as the "King of Short Stories." He was born on May 8, 1850, in Dieppe, a declining noble family in the Normandy region of western France. His childhood was spent in a beautiful estate in his hometown. The estate faced the sea, surrounded by lush trees. He spent his days playing in the woods, sometimes even going out to sea with fishermen, which fostered his love for nature and his affection for the rugged, humorous fishermen and farmers. His childhood left him with wonderful memories. Later, he repeatedly depicted his beautiful homeland and the people he loved with deep emotion. This book includes 15 of Maupassant's short stories, nearly encompassing all his famous masterpieces, such as Boule de Suif, The Necklace, and My Uncle Jean. In these works, the diverse aspects of French social reality in the late 19th century are vividly portrayed, with characters from all social strata sketched sharply and the landscapes and customs of French towns and villages brought to life. Among the wide range of subjects, there are three prominent focuses: the Franco-Prussian War, the lives of petty officials in Paris, and the scenery and anecdotes of the Normandy countryside.