The Dark Side of Guy de Maupassant: A Selection and Translation

by Guy de Maupassant

Book Overview

Thirty-one stories of the supernatural which explore the furthest reaches of the macabre and at the same time parallel Guy de Maupassant's descent into madness and death. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0881844594
• ISBN13: 9780881844597
• Release Date: January 1989
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers
• Length: 252 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.

Customer Reviews

sinister slices of life

Maupassant wrote over 300 short stories in a life cut short by his madness and death at age 42. This book presents 31 of his stories, chosen specifically for their macabre content. A brief foreword by horror writer Ramsey Campbell places Maupassant in the horror tradition, and is followed by the translator's introduction, giving some biographical and bibliographical background. Then come the stories. Being ignorant of French, I can't comment on the translation, except to say that the stories read smoothly, with no awkwardness. The stories themselves vary in form, most being intelligent and entertaining, but rather thin little slices of life. They have the excellent quality of often featuring surprises that are natural and not contrived. Yet they can also seem more like snapshots than stories. Then again, there are some real gems. "The Horla" is among the longest stories in the book, and deserves its status as a classic. It can be read as a science fictionish horror story, or as a metaphoric projection of the onset of insanity. Other stories are contes cruels of a decidedly vicious bent. And still others are marvelous evocations of atmosphere--especially "On the River," "Who Knows?", "The Head of Hair," "He," and "The Hand." Overall, a very worthwhile reading experience for fans of supernatural tales.

supremely disturbing and genuinely frightening stuff

these stories go beyond your average collection of horror tales, and it isn't hard to tell that maupassant was going over the edge when he penned these. they are less focused on the supernatural than on the chilling capability the human mind has to construct terrifying illusions and reduce the most rational and cerebral man to a shivering mass. you could almost call these philosophical in that maupassant remorselessly exposes the tenuous and fragile nature of our mental health and reminds us that insanity is a potential danger for the more thoughtful and sensitive. this is personally my favorite work as far as maupassant's stuff goes, and anyone with a taste for the morbid, pessimistic or terrifying is well advised to pick this one up right away, although it is pretty rare nowadays and difficult to locate. i took it out of my local library. those who are interested in the field of philosophy should enjoy the brief but somewhat humorous tale, "the smile of schopenhauer", which amuses but at the same time inspires fear. if you're interested in abnormal psychology this is also a must read for you. the creme de la creme of horror literature.

The most horrifying work of the greatest short story writer

DeMaupassant's unparalled insight into the human condition is strongly in evidence in these tales. Some of the most powerful evocations of fear and pathos even penned, this is in a completely different league from Stephen King and his ilk: it is literature in the best sense.

This one will scare your brain!

De Maupassant wrote horror like no one else. His stories are not for the run of the mill Stephen King fan - so if your head isn't screwed down tight, don't attempt this one. However, if you like to hear the brilliant ramblings of a genius-type that's dying of Syphillis, you'll love it!

Excellent unusual, fantastic & mind crawling stories

This collection of Guy De Maupassant is fast interesting reading. The stories delve into the human mind which leads us on strange paths that take unusual twists and turns as we experience De Maupassant narratives. All of us are exposed to various stressful situations in our lives that could lead to madness, wrong perception of the facts and fear such as he follows in his tales which are very cleverly written. This book can be enjoyed at any time, set down and picked up time and again. I have this book in my possession from a previous publishing of this same title by Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc. NY