Showing results by author "Guy De Maupassant" in All Categories

Depuis quarante jours, il marchait, cherchant partout du travail. Il avait quitté son pays, Ville-Avaray, dans la Manche, parce que l'ouvrage manquait. Compagnon charpentier, âgé de vingt-sept ans, bon sujet, vaillant, il était resté pendant deux mois à la charge de sa famille, lui, fils aîné, n'ayant plus qu'à croiser ses bras vigoureux, dans le chômage général. Le pain devint rare dans la maison ; les deux sœurs allaient en journée, mais gagnaient peu.

This is a story from the "Great Ghost Stories" collection.

Audiolibro narrado en castellano. En “Miss Harriet” breve relato; Guy de Maupassant nos conduce a través del recuerdo de un pintor que evoca su encuentro cuando él tenía 25 años con Miss Harriet, una mujer inglesa reservada y devota cuya vida extraña y solitaria cambia silenciosamente con la presencia del artista. Maupassant sugiere que las pequeñas humillaciones sociales, el rechazo por el aspecto o la edad, creencias religiosas, etc., pueden tener consecuencias profundas en las almas más sensibles, un tema recurrente en su obra.

In this captivating short novel, brothers Pierre and Jean find their lives irrevocably altered by the death of an old family friend. The friend’s unexpected bequest of his entire fortune to Jean, the younger sibling, leaves Pierre grappling with confusion, envy, and a deepening sense of resentment. As secrets unfold and pivotal decisions loom, Maupassants fourth novel invites readers to explore themes of family, loyalty, and the human condition, earning its place as one of his most celebrated works. (Lee Smalley)

Dive into this captivating collection of 50 short stories by Guy de Maupassant, featuring his signature wit and keen observations of human nature. Narrated by James K. White, this volume promises to enthrall both new readers and longtime fans alike.

In the vibrant backdrop of 1880s Paris, Guy de Maupassants captivating tale follows the unscrupulous journalist Georges Duroy, a man whose charm and good looks mask a profound lack of talent and integrity. With an almost magnetic allure, Duroy learns to manipulate the women around him, propelling his career in journalism with the aid of corrupt colleagues and opportunistic government officials. An emblematic anti-hero, he is neither reckless nor doomed to fail, but rather a cunning provincial Don Juan navigating the treacherous waters of ambition and desire. As we delve into his story, we find...

Boule de Suif, written in 1880 by the renowned French author Guy de Maupassant, stands as one of his most celebrated short stories. This poignant tale is part of his collection reflecting on the Franco-Prussian War, titled Boule de Suif et Autres Contes de la Guerre (Boule de Suif and Other Stories of the War). Notably, John Ford acknowledged that his iconic film Stagecoach draws inspiration from Maupassants narrative, showcasing its enduring impact on storytelling. (Summary by Wikipedia)

Join us as we explore Ball-of-Fat (French title Boule de Suif), the groundbreaking short story by renowned French author Guy de Maupassant. Widely regarded as his finest work, this poignant tale unfolds during a fateful coach ride from Rouen to Le Havre amidst the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War. It poignantly captures the unsettling transformation of a principled prostitute, as she faces the moral hypocrisy of the upper class. Experience the emotional depth and social commentary that has made this story a classic, narrated by Michael Thomas Robinson.

Der Arzt macht einen Hausbesuch bei einer jungvermählten Frau. Sie kommen auf den Ehebruch zu sprechen; die Dame des Hauses verurteilt derlei aufs Schärfste. Doch der Arzt, der die Welt kennt, erzählt ihr eine kleine, pikante Geschichte.

Six classic ghost stories from six classic authors, narrated by Phillip J Mather: "A Haunted House" by Virginia Woolf"; "The Image of the Lost Soul" by H H Munro [Saki]; "A Ghost" by Guy de Maupassant; "The Oval Portrait" by Edgar Allan Poe; "A Ghost Story" by Mark Twain; "The Trial for Murder" by Charles Dickens.

Tauche ein in die dunklen Abgründe der Literatur – mit unheimlichen, fesselnden und meisterhaft erzählten Geschichten aus der Welt des Grauens. Diese Hörbuch-Compilation vereint Klassiker der Horrorliteratur, schaurige Novellen, gespenstische Kurzgeschichten und unheimliche Begebenheiten – gelesen von Jürgen Fritsche, Sven Görtz und Tim Eriksson. Von Edgar Allan Poe bis H. P. Lovecraft, von Guy de Maupassant bis Stefan Zweig, von E. T. A. Hoffmann bis Robert Louis Stevenson – die größten Autoren des Schreckens und der düsteren Fantasie sind vertreten.

Jeanne has spent her girlhood at a convent, where she received a solid education but little insight into the realities of life outside its walls. Now, as she returns home, she is a joyful young woman brimming with hope and eager to embrace love and adventure. However, the truths of life were not part of her convent training, and with parents too shy to discuss delicate matters, Jeanne must navigate her new world on her own. From the bewildering experiences of her wedding night to the trials of childbirth, infidelity, and the complexities of faith, Jeanne embarks on a journey of discovery, ...

Walter Schnaffs' Adventure, published in 1883, is a poignant tale that captures the essence of a Prussian soldier's struggle with the realities of war and his desire for peace. The story begins with Schnaffs, a stout and peaceful man, who finds himself in enemy territory during the Franco-Prussian War. His fear of battle and his longing for his family lead him to a desperate decision to surrender to the French forces. Despite his fear of being captured, Schnaffs decides to surrender to an unarmed villager, only to find himself as a prisoner in a French mansion.

Na gelada Normandia, o Dr. Bonenfant, um médico cético, é forçado a confrontar o sobrenatural. Uma terrível Noite de Natal transforma-se em pânico quando a esposa do ferreiro, após um achado sinistro, é possuída por convulsões e grita estar "com o diabo no corpo". Com a medicina impotente, a última esperança é a fé: levá-la à Missa do Galo. Testemunhe o clímax no altar, onde o sagrado e o profano colidem.

The fraternal love that Pierre Roland feels for his younger brother Jean has always been tinged with jealousy. But when a lawyer arrives at the house of their parents, to declare that an old family friend has bequeathed his entire fortune to Jean, this envy rapidly becomes an all-consuming force. Despising himself for the hate that he feels, Pierre roams the seaport of Le Havre alone, desperate to come to terms with his brother's success.

"La futaie, appartenant à M. Renardet, maire de Carvelin et le plus gros propriétaire du lieu, était une sorte de bois d'arbres antiques, énormes, droits comme des colonnes, et s'étendant sur une demi-lieue de longueur, sur la rive gauche du ruisseau qui servait de limite à cette immense voûte de feuillage. Le long de l'eau, de grands arbustes avaient poussé, chauffés par le soleil ; mais sous la futaie, on ne trouvait rien que de la mousse, de la mousse épaisse, douce et molle, qui répandait dans l'air stagnant une odeur légère de moisi et de branches mortes.

"Voyons, dites-nous quelque chose pour nous faire rire. Vous, monsieur Chenal, qui passez pour avoir eu plus de bonnes fortunes que le duc de Richelieu, racontez une histoire d'amour qui vous soit arrivée, ce que vous voudrez." Léon Chenal, un vieux peintre qui avait été très beau, très fort, très fier de son physique, et très aimé, prit dans sa main sa longue barbe blanche et sourit, puis, après quelques moments de réflexion, il devint grave tout à coup.

Rouen is occupied by the Prussian army and a group of ten residents decides to leave town. Although it is not that easy, they manage to get on a carriage. The group is quite colorful as every person represents a different part of the French population during the Franco-Prussian War of the late 19th century. A prostitute is a part of the group and although the others are filled with prejudices towards her, she is the one who could save them all when they find themselves in a Prussian-held territory.

Guy de Maupassant, French master of the short story, had a simple, efficient style of writing and, like Anton Chekhov, found inspiration for his stories in the daily lives of humans, which often reveal our darker nature. Many of his works also centered on the Franco-Prussian War, in which he served. Volume VIII of his Complete Original Short Stories contains the following:

Les nouvelles de Maupassant ont révélé tout le génie et toute la particularité de cet auteur, qui a mis le fantastique, l'histoire de genre, et la nouvelle normande sur un pied d'égalité en littérature. Les mots racontent simplement une histoire mais c'est tout un monde qui est mis en place et toute une époque qui nous est donnée à entendre.