Originally written to entertain, move or chill, the eight short stories in this collection accompanied by parallel English translations now also help students gain deeper insights into French literature and life.
Arranged in approximate order of difficulty, the range of stories is wide, from the stylized wit of Raymond Queneau to the beautifully written ambiguities of Philippe Sollers, from Pierre Gascar’s exploration of childhood as a background to a tale of infidelity to Henri Thomas’s gentle, ironic look at war. All make wonderful reads in either language.
Introduction
THE BEACH
Alain Robbe-Grillet translated by Barbara Wright
THE SEVEN-LEAGUE BOOTS
Marcel Ayme translated by Norman Denny
THE FASHIONABLE TIGER
Jean Ferry translated by Jean Stewart
THE OFFENSIVE
Henri Thomas translated by Ken Thomson
CUCKOLDED, HANGED AND HAPPY
Marcel Jouhandeau translated by Rayner Heppenstall
THE TROJAN HORSE
Raymond Queneau translated by Barbara Wright
THE LITTLE SQUARE
Pierre Gascar translated by Val Cohen
THE CHALLENGE
Philippe Sollers translated by Jean Stewart
Biographical Notes on Authors
Notes on French Texts
