The works of Guy de Maupassant, Vol. 5 / Une Vie and Other Stories

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21655

Title

The works of Guy de Maupassant, Vol. 5 / Une Vie and Other Stories

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A collection of Guy de Maupassant's finest short stories, including the poignant tragedy of Jeanne's life and the cynical wit of "Woman's Wiles." This volume explores themes of deception, nature versus religion, and the harsh realities of human desire, delivered with a sober, virile style that balances pathos with dark humor.

Summary up to 500 words

Guy de Maupassant's *The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Vol. 5* presents a collection of stories defined by a realistic, often pessimistic view of human nature, where characters are frequently driven by instinct, deception, or social pressure to tragic or absurd conclusions. The volume opens with *Une Vie* (A Woman's Life), a meticulous study of Norman manners following Jeanne, a gentlewoman raised in a convent. After her mother's death, Jeanne leaves for her father's estate seeking happiness and freedom. However, her life is soon complicated by a secret liaison with a clerk named Julien. Through a priest's artful scheme involving a false pregnancy, Jeanne is tricked into believing she is carrying Julien's child, leading her to take a vow of chastity. She subsequently bears her husband's child, only to find herself trapped in a cycle of deception, poverty, and spiritual conflict as a new, fanatical priest attempts to reform the village. Her father, a nature-worshipper, despises the priest's hypocrisy, while Jeanne oscillates between her dreamy faith and the brutal realities of her situation, ultimately doomed to a life of sorrow and misunderstanding. The collection continues with *Woman's Wiles*, a tale of cynical observation by a former Minister. He recounts his three-year affair with a charming, seemingly virtuous woman whom he believed was pregnant with his child. When his brother investigates, they discover the entire story—the journey to Italy, the child, and the letters—was a fabrication. The woman admits she invented the plot to keep a wealthy, seductive man for three years, revealing the audacity and simplicity with which women, even the most upright, play tricks on men. The narratives are characterized by Maupassant's detached yet vivid voice, capturing the superficial aspects of action and intrigue with a sober, impartial eye. His frank and masculine directness sees life clearly, describing it in concise and vigorous language. While his pessimism is inexorable, pushing the misfortune or degradation of his characters to its extreme logical conclusion, even in his saddest stories, the general design is rarely sordid. The stories reflect the author's rich sense of humor and old Gallic wit, avoiding the gloominess of his contemporaries while maintaining a virile impartiality in describing the superficial aspects of action and intrigue.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Short Stories
• French Fiction