Guy de Maupassant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guy de Maupassant
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| Born | Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant 5 August 1850 Tourville-sur-Arques, French Republic |
| Died | 6 July 1893 (aged 42) Passy, Paris, French Republic |
| Resting place | Montparnasse Cemetery |
| Pen name | Guy de Valmont, Joseph Prunier |
| Occupation | Novelist, short story writer, poet |
| Genre | Naturalism, Realism |
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Guy de Maupassant (born 5 August 1850 – died 6 July 1893) was a very famous French writer from the 19th century. He is known as one of the most important creators of the modern short story. His stories often showed real life in a detailed way.
Contents
About Guy de Maupassant's Life
Henri-René-Albert-Guy de Maupassant was born on 5 August 1850. His family lived at the Château de Miromesnil, near Dieppe in France. His parents, Laure Le Poittevin and Gustave de Maupassant, came from well-off families.
When Guy was 11, his mother decided to separate from his father. She was a very independent woman. After this, Guy and his younger brother, Hervé, lived with their mother.
Growing Up and School
Guy's mother became the most important person in his life. She loved to read and enjoyed classic books, especially by William Shakespeare. Until he was 13, Guy lived happily with his mother in Étretat, Normandy. He loved fishing and being outdoors near the sea and countryside.
When he turned 13, his mother sent him and his brother to a private school in Rouen. This was for them to study classical subjects.
Meeting a Famous Writer
In 1867, when Guy was starting junior high, he met the famous writer Gustave Flaubert. Guy's mother had arranged this meeting. The next year, Guy went to the Lycée Pierre-Corneille in Rouen. He was a good student there, enjoying poetry and acting in plays.
Gustave Flaubert became a mentor to Guy. He helped Guy start his career in journalism and writing. At Flaubert's home, Guy met other important writers. These included Émile Zola and Ivan Turgenev. He also met many writers who focused on realism and naturalism.
Starting His Writing Career
In 1878, Guy began writing for several major newspapers. These included Le Figaro and Gil Blas. He spent his free time writing novels and short stories.
In 1880, he published his first big success, "Boule de Suif". This story was instantly very popular.
Years of Success
The years from 1880 to 1891 were the most productive for Maupassant. His first short story made him famous. He worked hard and published two to four books every year. His talent and good business sense made him wealthy.
In 1881, he released his first collection of short stories, La Maison Tellier. It sold many copies quickly. In 1883, he finished his first novel, Une Vie (A Woman's Life). Over 25,000 copies were sold in less than a year. His second novel, Bel-Ami, came out in 1885. It had 37 printings in just four months.
His publisher, Havard, asked him to write even more stories. Maupassant continued to write them quickly and well. During this time, he wrote what many consider his best novel, Pierre et Jean (1888).
He traveled a lot to places like Algeria, Italy, and England. After each trip, he would often write a new book. Flaubert continued to guide him in his writing.
Later Life and Death
In his later years, Maupassant faced some health problems. He started wanting to be alone more often. He also became very worried about his health and feared death. Because of his declining health, he was taken to a special hospital in Passy, Paris. He died there on 6 July 1893.
Maupassant is buried in Section 26 of the Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris.
Guy de Maupassant's Works
Maupassant's stories showed human lives in a very real and sometimes sad way. Many of his stories are set during the Franco-Prussian War of the 1870s. They describe how the war affected ordinary people. These innocent civilians were caught in events they couldn't control. Their experiences changed them forever.
He wrote about 300 short stories, six novels, three travel books, and one book of poems. His first published story, "Boule de Suif" ("The Dumpling", 1880), is often seen as his best work.
Maupassant's stories and writing style influenced many other writers. These include William Somerset Maugham and O. Henry. He also wrote under different pen names. Some of these were Joseph Prunier, Guy de Valmont, and Maufrigneuse.
Most Famous Short Stories
- Ball-of-Fat (1880)
- Mme. Tellier's Establishment (1881)
- Mademoiselle Fifi (1882)
- Vendetta (1883)
- Mother Savage (1884)
- Miss Harriet (1884)
- My Uncle Jules (1884)
- A Piece of String (1884)
- The Necklace (1885)
- A Way to Wealth (1885)
- The Horla (1887)
Images for kids
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Guy de Maupassant at 7 years of age.
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Maupassant at the beginning of his most productive decade.
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Guy de Maupassant early in his career; by Alphonse Liébert.
See also
In Spanish: Guy de Maupassant para niños
