The Horrible by Guy de Maupassant

Name: The Horrible
Author: Guy de Maupassant

A young woman's life unravels after she discovers her husband's infidelity and the true nature of their marriage. The story explores themes of love, deception, and the consequences of one's actions.

By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1886 · Genre: Horror, Psychological Fiction, War Fiction · 2,526 words

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First lines

The shadows of a balmy night were slowly falling. The women remained in the drawing-room of the villa. The men, seated, or astride of garden chairs, were smoking outside the door of the house, around a table laden with cups and liqueur glasses.

Their lighted cigars shone like eyes in the darkness, which was gradually becoming more dense. They had been talking about a frightful accident which had occurred the night before -- two men and three women drowned in the river before the eyes of the guests.

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What this Textopian page supports

The Horrible is listed on Textopian as a short story by Guy de Maupassant, dated 1886 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Guy de Maupassant
Date: 1886 CE
Language: English
Genres: Horror, Psychological Fiction, War Fiction, Historical Fiction, Drama
Length: 2,526 words
Structure: 1 section, 72 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Horror — The narrative explores themes of horror through gruesome and unsettling events, such as cannibalism and the execution of a woman mistaken for a spy, evoking a sense of dread and abnormal terror.
Psychological Fiction — The story delves into the psychological impact of war and fear on individuals, examining how extreme circumstances can lead to irrational and violent behavior.
War Fiction — Set against the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War, the story depicts the chaos and despair of retreating soldiers, highlighting the brutal realities of war.
Historical Fiction — The narrative is grounded in historical events, specifically the war of 1870 and the Flatters Mission, providing a realistic portrayal of the period.