The Necklace and Other Stories : Maupassant for Modern Times

The Necklace and Other Stories : Maupassant for Modern Times

 
A Parisian civil servant turned protege of Flaubert, Guy de Maupassant is considered not only one of the greatest short story writers in all of French literature but also a pioneer of psychological realism and modernism who helped define the form. Credited with influencing the likes of Chekhov, Maugham, Babel, and O. Henry, Maupassant had, at the time of his death at the age of forty-two, written six novels and some three hundred short stories. Yet in English, Maupassant has, curiously, remained unappreciated by modern readers due to outdated translations that render his prose in an archaic, literal style.In this bold new translation, Sandra Smith-the celebrated translator of Irene Nemirovsky's Suite Francaise-brings us twenty-eight of Maupassant's essential stories and two novellas in lyrical yet accessible language that brings Maupassant into vibrant English. In addition to her sparkling translation, Smith also imposes a structure that captures the full range of Maupassant's work. Dividing the collection into three sections that reflect his predominant themes-nineteenth-century French society, the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, and the supernatural-Smith creates "an arrangement suggesting a culture of relation, of structure, of completion" (Richard Howard).In "Tales of French Life," we see Maupassant explore the broad swath of French society, not just examining the lives of the affluent as was customary for writers in his day. In the title story of the collection, "The Necklace," Maupassant crafts a devastating portrait of misplaced ambition and ruin in the emerging middle class.The stories in "Tales of War" emerge from Maupassant's own experiences in the devastating Franco-Prussian War and create a portrait of that disastrous conflict that few modern readers have ever encountered. This section features Maupassant's most famous novella, "Boule de Suif."The last section, "Tales of the Supernatural," delves into the occult and the bizarre. While certain critics may attribute some of these stories and morbid fascination as the product of the author's fevered mind and possible hallucinations induced by late-stage syphilis, they echo the gothic horror of Poe as well as anticipate the eerie fiction of H. P. Lovecraft.The result takes readers from marriage, family, and the quotidian details of life to the disasters of war and nationalism, then to the gothic and beyond, allowing us to appreciate Maupassant in an idiom that matches our own times. The Necklace and Other Stories enables us to appreciate Maupassant as the progenitor of the modern short story and as a writer vastly ahead of his time.

Specifications:

  • ISBN : 9781631491894
  • Product Type : Book
  • Format : Paperback
  • Author : Guy de Maupassant
  • Language : ENG
  • Country of Publication : US
GTIN: 9781631491894

Shipping Details

Booktopia uses the best quality packing material to protect items for the journey from our Sydney Distribution Centre to our customers, with the intention that they arrive in the same condition they left our Distribution Centre.

Shipping Expectation

Your order will ship within 2 business days

Delivery Instructions

Booktopia uses Australia Post for deliveries throughout Australia. Australia Post will leave the parcel unattended only if it's safe to do so, and take a photo as Proof of Delivery. Please note higher value deliveries may require a signature on receipt.

If there is no-one at home to provide a signature, the delivery person will leave a notification card and you may also receive an email letting you know where your parcel is.

Returns
This policy does not limit the rights you are entitled to under Australian Consumer Law. Booktopia does not accept returns or offer refunds for a change of mind. If you have any concerns about the item you have received then please ensure you contact Booktopia customer care first through your MyDeal account as soon as possible.

Damaged or Faulty Items
Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.

If you have received an item that is incorrect, damaged or faulty please contact Booktopia customer Care first through your MyDeal account as soon as possible. Booktopia will require evidence of the issue and may require you to return the item for assessment.

Before returning anything you must contact Booktopia customer care as returns will not be accepted without a Return Authorisation. Booktopia may provide means to return an item at no cost to you or an alternate remedy. If an item is required to be returned (at no cost) it must be packed securely with cardboard or bubble wrap protecting the item, packed to prevent movement inside the package and ensuring the package is firmly enclosed

Refunds
Where a Return Authorisation has been given, a refund via the method used for payment of the order will be provided. Booktopia will contact you if any items are not eligible for a refund.

Refund Guarantee Icon
Shop with peace of mind
All marketplace products are covered by our MyDeal Refund Guarantee Learn More
Sold & shipped by Booktopia
Reference ID: 524156

Reviews (0) Add Review

No reviews yet