Description
Boule de Suif and Other Stories
Book Summary
This Galician-language edition gathers the celebrated tale "Boule de Suif," considered a masterpiece of universal short fiction, along with other narratives by Guy de Maupassant. The reader will find precise and biting prose that dissects social hypocrisy, greed, and human contradictions during the Franco-Prussian War. With a style that combines stark realism with subtle irony, Maupassant offers an implacable portrait of human nature, where compassion and selfishness clash in extreme situations. An essential classic for lovers of quality short fiction.
What is it about?
The work revolves around the story that gives the volume its title, "Boule de Suif," a tale set during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. A group of travelers from different social classes flees the German occupation in a stagecoach. Among them is a young prostitute nicknamed "Boule de Suif," who becomes the center of a tense group dynamic. When a Prussian officer detains the carriage, demanding that the woman accede to his desires, her fellow travelers—who initially despised her—begin to pressure her with hypocritical patriotic fervor to sacrifice herself for the common good. Through this plot, Maupassant exposes the cowardice, selfishness, and double standards of the bourgeoisie, showing how values crumble in the face of personal interest. The other stories included in the volume explore similar themes, such as pettiness, ambition, and the fragility of appearances, consolidating the author's mastery of the short story form.
Main Themes
- The hypocrisy and double standards of the bourgeoisie.
- Selfishness and the lack of solidarity in crisis situations.
- Social criticism through realism and irony.
- The conflict between appearance and the moral reality of individuals.
- War as a backdrop that reveals the worst human frailties.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is recommended for readers interested in 19th-century classical literature, especially realist short stories and French narrative. It is ideal for those who appreciate incisive social criticism, complex characters, and plots that explore human psychology with raw honesty and without concessions. It is also essential reading for literature students and anyone who wishes to encounter one of the pinnacles of the short story genre.
What this book offers
- The pleasure of reading one of the most perfect short stories in the history of literature, praised by Gustave Flaubert and admired by authors such as Jorge Luis Borges.
- A lucid and timeless vision of human nature, social hypocrisy, and behavior in extreme situations.
- A mastery of Maupassant’s narrative style, characterized by its precision, economy of means, and ability to create tension and meaning within a few pages.
- A Galician-language edition that brings this universal classic to Galician-speaking readers.
Technical Sheet
- Author: MAUPASSANT, GUY DE
- Publisher: Edicións Laiovento, S.L.
- Language: glg
- Topic: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY FICTION
- Collection: NARRATIVE
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication Date: April 2018
- Number of pages: 162
- Weight: 289 g
Editorial Assessment
This edition of "Boule de Suif and Other Stories" represents an excellent opportunity to rediscover an undisputed master of the short story. Maupassant's work remains astonishingly relevant, and his ability to portray human pettiness with prose that is as elegant as it is sharp continues to be a benchmark. For the Galician reader, it is a valuable addition to their library, both for the literary quality of the content and for the accessible paperback format. A classic that is not only read, but studied and admired.