The odd number

A selection of thirteen short stories by Maupassant, translated into English and introduced by Paul Bourget. The tales range across Normandy farms, Paris offices, soldiers' memories and the war of 1870, with a mix of humour, pity and cold irony. Typical subjects are marriage, money, deceit and the surprising turns of chance. The volume offers a good sample of the author's compact storytelling and his sharp eye for human weakness.