[Pocket Edition] World Classics Library - A Life

Author: (French) Guy de Maupassant
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-11-01
Features: This book is part of the "World Classics Library," a fully translated and illustrated edition. The novel is the first long work by Guy de Maupassant, the renowned 19th-century French realist writer, and one of his six major novels with significant influence. It is included in the list of 37 world classics recommended by Mao Dun for Chinese readers and is also selected in the list of world-class classical masterpieces compiled by famous scholars such as Japanese Jiro Kojima. What kind of life is this? As the novel states, one can only enjoy brief moments of joy but must endure countless disappointments—a tragic life. A Life is the first long work by the famous 19th-century French realist writer Guy de Maupassant, one of his six major novels with significant influence. With a simple yet delicate style, the novel depicts a pure and innocent young girl, Yana, of fallen aristocratic descent, who enters the journey of life filled with beautiful dreams. After encountering her husband's betrayal, the death of her parents, and her only son leaving home, she gradually ages in disappointment, summarizing a fundamental state of human life: life is neither as good nor as bad as we imagine. The novel showcases Maupassant's skill in short story writing, demonstrating his mastery in long-form fiction and earning him the reputation of a great writer, consolidating and elevating his position in the French literary scene. At the same time, it reflects Maupassant's advocacy of naturalism, achieving the artistic effect he pursued—"moving the heart with simple truth." It is one of the 37 world classics recommended by Mao Dun for Chinese readers and is included in the list of world-class classical masterpieces compiled by famous scholars such as Japanese Jiro Kojima.