Summary
This collection gathers the complete original short stories of Guy de Maupassant, one of the founding masters of the modern short story form.
Known for his sharp observations of human nature, Maupassant's tales range from haunting and ironic to humorous and poignant.
Set largely in 19th-century France, the stories explore themes of love, war, greed, madness, and the hypocrisies of society, often with unexpected or ironic endings.
His characters include peasants, aristocrats, soldiers, and clerks—each revealing the complexities and contradictions of life through Maupassant’s crisp, unflinching prose.
Famous stories within the collection include:
“The Necklace” – a cautionary tale about vanity and fate
“Boule de Suif” – a powerful social commentary on morality during wartime
“The Horla” – an early and chilling work of psychological horror
Maupassant’s stories remain timeless, admired for their clarity, brevity, and deep insight into the human condition.