With a new Introduction by Cedric Watts Research Professor of English University of Sussex Guy de Maupassant was a master of the short story This collection displays his lively diversity with tales that vary in theme & tone ranging from tragedy & satire to comedy & farce In a lucidly direct style he provides unflinching realism & sceptical irony He depicts the deceptions hypocrisies & vanities at different levels of society Prostitution is frankly described while the harshness of war is deftly exposed His tales have been televised & have influenced films operas & rock music Unillusioned but humane Maupassant remains our contemporary