'The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3: The Viaticum and Other Stories' Summary

The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3: The Viaticum and Other Stories is a collection of short stories by one of the greatest masters of the genre. Maupassant's stories are known for their realism, their psychological depth, and their often dark and ironic endings.

This volume contains 29 stories, including some of Maupassant's most famous works, such as "The Viaticum," "The Relics," "The Necklace," and "Mademoiselle Fifi." The stories explore a wide range of human emotions, from love and desire to jealousy and revenge. Maupassant's characters are often complex and flawed, and his stories offer a unique and insightful look into the human condition.

One of the most striking things about Maupassant's stories is their realism. He writes about the world as he sees it, without flinching from the harsh or unpleasant realities of life. His characters are not idealized figures; they are real people with real flaws and weaknesses.

Another hallmark of Maupassant's writing is its psychological depth. He is a master of exploring the inner lives of his characters. He shows us their thoughts, their feelings, and their motivations, even when they are not entirely clear to the characters themselves.

Finally, Maupassant's stories are known for their often dark and ironic endings. He does not shy away from showing the tragic or absurd side of human existence. However, his endings are never gratuitous; they always serve a purpose, whether it is to highlight the hypocrisy of society or to simply remind us of the fragility of life.

Here is a brief overview of some of the stories in this volume:

• The Viaticum: A dying man receives the last rites, but his thoughts are on his mistress.
• The Relics: A devout woman is tricked into worshiping a false relic.
• The Necklace: A woman loses a borrowed necklace and goes into debt to replace it.
• Mademoiselle Fifi: A Prussian officer falls in love with a French prostitute during the Franco-Prussian War.

These are just a few of the many stories in The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3: The Viaticum and Other Stories. If you are looking for a collection of thought-provoking and unforgettable short stories, then this book is for you.

Essence and spirit of the book

The essence and spirit of The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3: The Viaticum and Other Stories can be summed up in one word: realism. Maupassant was a master of writing about the world as he saw it, without flinching from the harsh or unpleasant realities of life. His characters were real people with real flaws and weaknesses, and his stories offered a unique and insightful look into the human condition.

Maupassant's stories were also notable for their psychological depth and their often dark and ironic endings. He was a master of exploring the inner lives of his characters, and his endings always served a purpose, whether it was to highlight the hypocrisy of society or to simply remind us of the fragility of life.

Conclusion

The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Volume 3: The Viaticum and Other Stories is a collection of short stories that is sure to stay with you long after you finish reading it. Maupassant's stories are thought-provoking, unforgettable, and ultimately realistic. If you are a fan of short stories, or if you are simply looking for a new and exciting read, then this book is for you.