Boule de Suif

Interesting Facts

• The book is considered one of Guy de Maupassant's most famous works and is part of the collection «Les Soirées de Médan», published in 1880.
• The main character, Elisabeth Rousset, known as Boule de Suif, is a prostitute, yet she is portrayed as a person with high moral standards and patriotism.
• The plot unfolds during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871, giving the work a historical context and emphasizing the theme of patriotism and human nature in wartime conditions.
• The work explores social prejudices and hypocrisy, showing how society can be cruel and unjust to those who do not conform to its standards.
• Maupassant uses the contrast between the external and internal worlds of the characters to highlight their true motives and character, making the story deep and multilayered.
• The book is acclaimed for its realism and masterful depiction of human psychology, which became a hallmark of Maupassant's style.