A middle-aged woman, married to a man who has been away for years, struggles with her own desires and the societal expectations placed upon her. Her husband's prolonged absence creates tension in their relationship, and she begins an affair with a younger man. The story explores themes of loneliness, desire, and the constraints of marriage and social class.
By Guy de Maupassant · First published 1882 · Genre: Historical Fiction, War Fiction, Drama