Selections in Volume I:
BOULE DE SUIF Set during the Franco-Prussian war, a group of French citizens attempt to flee, but are detained unexpectedly by a Prussian officer who is attracted to Boule de Suif. She does not share his desire. The basic instincts of clergy, middle class and aristocrat are forced into the open as they plot strategy.
AT SEA Two brothers become entangled with the elements and greed aboard a fishing vessel.
AN OLD MAN A self-centered elder carefully keeps tab of how other old people die. A humorous tail of self-deceit
THE PIECE OF STRING When suspicion falls on a villager, he discovers that reputation weighs more heavily than fact.
RUST A very amusing tale of a hunter who falls in love only to discover a certain problem.

GUY DE MAUPASSANT, (1850 -1893), a native of Normandy, wrote in a bold and vigorous style that moves inexorably along clear plot lines. He had an astonishing capacity for creating believable characters, and he wasted little ink in putting his stories in motion. Maupassant was a master of le mot juste, waiting until the perfect word came to him before setting his thoughts to paper. He was one of the first truly modern writers, and today his stories still resonate with impetuosity and originality.