Short stories have always been a sort of instant access into an author’s brain, their soul and heart. They can lift our lives into locations, people and experiences with a sweep of landscape, narration, feelings and emotions that is difficult to achieve elsewhere.

In this series we try to offer up tried and trusted ‘Top Tens’ across many different themes and authors. But any anthology will immediately throw up the questions – Why that story? Why that author?

The theme itself will form the boundaries for our stories which range from well-known classics, newly told, to stories that modern times have overlooked but perfectly exemplify the theme. Throughout the volume our authors whether of instant recognition or new to you are all leviathans of literature.

Some you may disagree with but they will get you thinking; about our choices and about those you would have made. If this volume takes you on a path to discover more of these miniature masterpieces then we have all gained something.

Guy de Maupassant is justly revered as one of the strongest proponents of the short story. The miniature gems he created are woven from the many worlds and strata of society that surrounded him. From feuds and revenge to tales of avarice and friendship de Maupassant is the master of all and second to none.

01 - The Top 10 - Guy de Maupassant - An Introduction

02 - Guy de Maupassant - An Introduction

03 - Le Horla by Guy de Maupassant

04 - Regret by Guy de Maupassant

05 - The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant

06 - The Dowry by Guy de Maupassant

07 - The Kiss by Guy de Maupassant

08 - The Maison Tellier by Guy de Maupassant

09 - Suicides by Guy de Maupassant

10 - Two Friends by Guy de Maupassant

11 - Two Little Soldiers by Guy de Maupassant

12 - Mother Sauvage (La Mere Sauvage) by Guy de Maupassant