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Gary Inbinder's Reviews > The Necklace and Other Short Stories
The Necklace and Other Short Stories
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An excellent selection of Maupassant's stories, of which "The Necklace" is the most familiar from numerous anthologies. Several of the stories including "The Necklace", are examples of Slice of Life Realism. Many are set in the author's native Normandy, some on the coastline by the Channel, others to the south by the Bay of Biscay. A few have an urban setting, usually in Paris, and one is set in the Alps. The story-lines run the gamut, from comedy (Theodole Sabot's Confession and The Wrong House) to horror (The Wolf and The Inn). Some are written as frame stories, for example a group of people gather together and tell tales on a particular theme; the narrator's story is the one we read, and it's a corker. One story, The Trip of Le Horla, about the author's experience in a balloon journey from Paris to the mouth of the Scheldt, is wonderfully descriptive with a suspenseful ending.
Almost all the stories have an ironic twist, and many play on a theme of loss and regret: lost youth, lost beauty, lost love, and lost innocence.
This is an old translation, probably no longer the best but still serviceable, and you can hardly beat the price: $0.99 for Kindle.
Almost all the stories have an ironic twist, and many play on a theme of loss and regret: lost youth, lost beauty, lost love, and lost innocence.
This is an old translation, probably no longer the best but still serviceable, and you can hardly beat the price: $0.99 for Kindle.
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Fionnuala
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Apr 04, 2017 10:25AM
Great to see a Guy de Maupassant review turning up, Gary! He was such a good short story writer. I still remember very vividly the stories of his I studied at school.
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Fionnuala wrote: "Great to see a Guy de Maupassant review turning up, Gary! He was such a good short story writer. I still remember very vividly the stories of his I studied at school."Thanks, Fionnuala. I recently saw Le Plaisir, an early 1950's Max Ophuls film adaptation of three Maupassant stories. I liked the film so much, I decided to read, or re-read, several more Maupassant stories. I've only read one of his novels, Bel Ami. I reviewed it a while back, and highly recommend it.
Usually I tend to keep away from horror stories, but a few of his were irresistible and unforgettable, as was The necklace. Thank you for highlighting these wonderful short stories, Gary (and it is quite amazing to find the Scheldt mentioned in a review (I grew up next to it)).
Marita wrote: "Thanks for your review, Gary. The Necklace is a wonderful story."Thanks for your comment, Marita. The Necklace is indeed a wonderful story. In my opinion, there's a deceptive simplicity to much of Maupassant's writing that adds to the impact. The stories seem to stick with you, even years after a first reading.
Ilse wrote: "Usually I tend to keep away from horror stories, but a few of his were irresistible and unforgettable, as was The necklace. Thank you for highlighting these wonderful short stories, Gary (and it is..."Thank you, Ilse. Speaking of Maupassant's horror stories, I mentioned "The Flayed Hand" in one of my novels. I read that Maupassant story many years ago, and it still gives me the creeps. ;)
The Scheldt does play an important role in The Trip of Le Horla. The fact that the balloonists were in danger of being caught between an approaching storm and the sea adds to the suspense.
