
Translated by ALBERT M. C. McMASTER, B.A. A. E. HENDERSON, B.A. MME. QUESADA and Others
MONSIEUR PARENT
QUEEN HORTENSE
TIMBUCTOO
TOMBSTONES
MADEMOISELLE PEARL
THE THIEF
CLAIR DE LUNE
WAITER, A “BOCK”
AFTER - “My darlings,” said the comtesse, “you might go to bed.”
In this lively anthology, everyday moments in turn‑of‑the‑century Paris come alive through keen observation and subtle humor. The opening tale follows a weary father who, despite the strain of a demanding household, finds fleeting joy in the simple game of tossing his son into the air on a bustling boulevard. The scene captures the clash between public affection and private tension, as the protagonist navigates a demanding wife, a cynical servant, and the ticking clock that governs his routine. Through these intimate vignettes, the stories reveal how ordinary gestures can expose deeper longings and frustrations.
Across the collection, the translated sketches range from tender family snapshots to sharp social commentaries, each rendered with a gentle, observant tone. Readers will encounter characters whose private anxieties echo the broader concerns of a rapidly changing society, all while retaining a warm, human touch. The prose invites listeners to pause, reflect, and smile at the small dramas that shape everyday life.
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (215K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger
Release date
2004-10-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1850–1893
Best known for sharp, elegant short stories, this French master turned everyday life into tales of irony, desire, fear, and social pressure. His work is concise, vivid, and still startlingly modern.
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