Guy de Maupassant, página 2 de 31

Huyendo de Ruan se dispone una diligencia para 10 personas que obtienen un salvoconducto para ir a El Havre; en ellas se disponen tres ricos matrimonios que huyen de la ocupación prusiana preservando sus fortunas. Junto a ellos viajan dos monjas, un fiero revolucionario -que espera continuar sus acciones en El Havre- llamado Cornudet y una conocida señorita de la vida galante conocida como Bola de Sebo. Lo que se espera sea un rapido trayecto se ve dificultado por el paso de las tropas y otros imprevistos, en esa jornada la unica que llevaba alimentos es Bola de Sebo quien los comparte con los demas viajeros, a pesar de haber sentido las criticas y el desprecio de ellos durante el viaje.El carro tiene que hacer alto en una posada, alli un oficial prusiano impide seguir el trayecto a no ser que Bola de Sebo acepte pasar una noche con el; esta se niega, cosa que las "distinguidas" damas no entienden debido a su oficio. Los caballeros dulcemente tratan de convencerla, sobre todo el conde. Finalmente, Bola de Sebo acepta.Al otro dia se reanuda el viaje, Bola de Sebo es nuevamente el centro de las miradas sobre todo de las señoras, a media mañana los viajeros sacan sus alimentos para consumirlos, Bola de Sebo debido a la noche que paso con el oficial no tuvo tiempo de preparar nada y ninguno de los viajeros ofrece algo a ella, por lo que el resto del viaje lo pasa sollozando, Cornudet empieza a tararear y cantar una cancion republicana para horror de los tres matrimonios.

This ebook comprises the complete short stories written by French author Guy de Maupassant.

Broad daylight streamed down into the vast studio through a skylight in the ceiling, which showed a large square of dazzling blue, a bright vista of limitless heights of azure, across which passed flocks of birds in rapid flight. But the glad light of heaven hardly entered this severe room, with high ceilings and draped walls, before it began to grow soft and dim, to slumber among the hangings and die in the portieres, hardly penetrating to the dark corners where the gilded frames of portraits gleamed like flame. Peace and sleep seemed imprisoned there, the peace characteristic of an artists dwelling, where the human soul has toiled. Within these walls, where thought abides, struggles, and becomes exhausted in its violent efforts, everything appears weary and overcome as soon as the energy of action is abated; all seems dead after the great crises of life, and the furniture, the hangings, and the portraits of great personages still unfinished on the canvases, all seem to rest as if the whole place had suffered the masters fatigue and had toiled with him, taking part in the daily renewal of his struggle.

Despite its title. The Effeminates has nothing to do with sexuality. Instead, its a satire on the fickle natures of Parisians and those who work in the Chamber of Deputies (a French parliamentary body). According to Maupassants observations, these man-girls are a bane of society, forever changing their minds, following their whimsies, and plotting behind the backs of even their closest friends. An interesting psychological snapshot of 19th Century France, The Effeminates is a welcome addition to any library.

Despite quietly loathing his wifes penchant for fake jewellery, Mr and Mrs Lantin are happily married. When she dies, finances force him to sell her gems and he discovers that one of them is not only real but worth a significant sum of money. What keeps niggling Mr Lantin is that he didnt buy it for her so who did?The Fake Gems is a cautionary short story from the pen of a master. The perfect addition to any collection of Maupassants works.

Later made into a film, starring Vincent Price, The Diary of a Madman is a dark and disturbing short story. In just three pages, Maupassant introduces us to an upright magistrate who has just condemned a prisoner, Blondel, to death. Blondel is convicted of prolicide, and the magistrate wants to work out why hes committed this terrible crime. Through his diary, we see how the idea takes root and becomes something much more sinister... A gripping read thats as relevant today as when it was written, The Diary of a Madman is the ideal read for fans of Stephen King.

It is often the most humble men that are the most dangerous.Central Corsica is dangerous. There is no question about that. Despite its beautiful scenery, the area is rife with bandits, mongrels, and crime. Whilst money is important, secrets are much more valuable. The quietest, almost silent villager is a source of interest for the entire of Corsica - they know he has secrets. But are they truly ready to find out who he really is?This dynamic tale is an entertaining introduction to Guy de Maupassant for fans of classic adventure fiction.

With all the wistful romance of The Remains of the Day, (starring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson), Alexandre tells the story of a servant and his mistress, Madame Marambelle. Now wheelchair-bound, Madame Marambelle is reliant on Alexandre to get out and about. On one of their sojourns, they discuss her tyrannical husband, with Alexandre telling some uncomfortable home truths. However, he also has a secret of his own, and now seems as good a time as any to get it out in the open. A touching short story from one of the fathers of the genre, Alexandre is the ideal read for fans of Jojo Moyes Me Before You.

A vain and wealthy man, Lormerin is a slave to his mirror and very little else. However, one day, he opens a letter to find that his old flame, Lise, will be in town with her daughter, and he is invited to join them for dinner. What happens next causes Lormerin to reflect on himself in more ways than one... Paving the way for films, such as Venus, starring Peter OToole and former Doctor Who, Jodie Whittaker, All Over is a melancholy look at love and ageing.It will delight fans of OScar Wildes Dorian Gray.

Set on the French Riviera, Madame Parisse tells the story of an aristocratic woman, trapped in an unhappy marriage. When her husband goes on a business trip for four days, she embarks on an affair with the dashing Monsieur Jean de Carmelin. However, neither of them can foresee the consequences of their illicit encounter. Told from an observers point of view, this is a wistful, tragic, and romantic tale, packed with yearning and criticism of the social conventions of the time. A good, old-fashioned tear-jerker, Madame Parisse will delight anyone already familiar with Guy de Maupassants body of work.

Set aboard a steamship sailing from Le Havre to Trouville, Discovery is a short and funny story, with a moral tucked away in the dialogue.When the narrator meets his old friend, Henri Sidoine, the latter rants about the number of English people on board. With the kind of ire that Basil Fawlty (played by John Cleese) reserved for his guests, Sidoine gives full rein to his loathing of the English although, as it turns out, he fell in love with, and married, an Englishwoman. Is his argument genuinely about the self-proclaimed "lords of the sea", or is he revealing more about himself than he means to? An incisive tale with plenty of clever observations, Discovery will delight fans of nautical short stories such as Ernest Hemingways After the Storm.

A masterpiece in literary manipulation, A New Years Gift plays with our expectations while delivering a sobering dose of social commentary. We begin with Jacques, who is writing a letter to his sweetheart, Irene. When Irene appears on his doorstep, she brings with her a scandalous plan. Will he agree to her demands, or is there more to them than meets the eye? A tale of adultery, fealty, violence, and honour, A New Years Gift also highlights the stifling social conventions of the time.This short story will delight fans of Raymond Carver.

Bola de Sebo no es sólo un cuento fascinante plagado de imágenes, también es una crítica a la sociedad moral y de clase alta. Relata el viaje hecho por aristócratas franceses para salvaguardarse de las invasiones de los paises contrincantes durante la guerra franco-prusiana. Elisabeth Rousset, mujer participe en el traslado se dedicada a vender su amor, es firme en sus creencias, pero tambien muy noble, los pasajeros a bordo se aprovechan de esta inocencia en la joven cuando un oficial detiene el viaje, argumentando que dejara seguir la marcha solo si los favores de la cortesana son para el. La multitud la convence y luego de librar el paso por la seguridad se muestran groseros con la mujer, quien termina llorando por la actitud del mundo ante ella.

C haque automne, un vieux chasseur régalait ses amis de bécasses. Les têtes de ces délicieux oiseaux étaient donnés à un seul convive désigné par le sort. Et ce dernier, pour dédommager les autres, devait raconter une histoire. Les seize nouvelles de ce recueil se situent presque toutes en Normandie où Maupassant vécut une jeunesse heureuse. Ses paysans chasseurs, ses aristocrates, sa rempailleuse, ses pêcheurs sont saisis sur le vif dans leur vie quotidienne. La folie de la femme qui a perdu toute sa famille, l'avarice sordide de la maîtresse du petit chien, la triste vieillesse des danseurs de menuets, la revanche de l'épouse bafouée, Maupassant voit tout dans les détails les plus poignants. Le célèbre auteur de Bel Ami nous donne dans ce recueil ses meilleurs contes. Préface de Jacques Chessex Commentaires et notes de Louis Forestiers.

Set during the hunting season, the Chateau Baneville is peopled with guests waiting for the weather to improve.After half-heartedly playing board games, they tell stories. None is so shocking as the one told by Genevieve and the boy who loved her in her youth. With allusions to mental illness and obsession, this is a dark romantic tale, sure to promote some heated conversation. Touching on similar themes as Robert Redfords Ordinary People,A Widow is a tragic love story.It will delight fans of other tragic love stories such as Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet and Victor Hugos The Hunchback of Notre Dame.