This isn't a single novel, but a treasure chest of Maupassant's later writings. Volume 17 collects a range of his work from the final years of his career. You'll find some of his most famous short stories here, those perfectly crafted gems where a single detail changes everything. But you'll also find longer tales and pieces that feel more introspective, even haunted. The plots vary—a man becomes obsessed with a stranger on a train, a seemingly happy marriage hides a chilling secret, a simple walk in the countryside leads to a profound sense of dread. The common thread isn't a character, but a growing mood: a deep unease with modern life, a fascination with the irrational, and a piercing look at human loneliness.

Why You Should Read It

This volume shows us Maupassant without the training wheels. The famous wit and social observation are still there, but they're layered with something new: a raw, personal anxiety. Reading these stories, you can almost feel him pushing against the limits of the form he mastered. He starts asking bigger, scarier questions about the mind and the soul. His characters aren't just flawed; they're often grappling with forces they don't understand, whether it's obsession, madness, or the sheer emptiness of existence. It's compelling because it feels honest. This is a writer staring into the abyss and reporting back, with stunning clarity, what he sees. It makes his famous twist endings feel less like clever tricks and more like the sudden, cold realization of a truth that was there all along.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for readers who love classic short stories but want to see the darker, more psychological side of the genre. It's for anyone who appreciates beautiful, clear prose used to explore very messy, human feelings. If you're interested in the point where 19th-century realism starts to bend toward the modernism of the 20th century, this volume is a fascinating bridge. Fair warning: it's not a cheerful read. But it's a profoundly moving and insightful one, offering a masterclass in writing from a man at the peak of his power, even as his world was falling apart.