Maupassant is considered the father of the short story. These eight great short stories concern the dramas and preoccupations of ordinary peopledescribed in a naturalistic way. From "The Beast" about an unsolved murder of a young girl, "Celeste Levesque" about the struggles of poor peasant farmers, to "The Villa of Yesteryear" concerning reminiscences about love of an aged actress, these stories will delight and charm.