RKS Literature: The Graveyard Beat for a Prostitute? (Guy de Maupassant)

“I went off flabbergasted by what I had seen and trying to imagine what tribe of creatures she belonged to, hunting as obviously she did on this sepulchral terrain. Was she a single prostitute who had struck on the brilliant idea of frequenting graveyards and picking up unhappy men still haunted by the loss ofContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Graveyard Beat for a Prostitute? (Guy de Maupassant)”

RKS Literature: Gutted Like a Fish with Love (Guy de Maupassant)

“He stared at the opposite bank where an angler was fishing, his line perfectly still. All of a sudden the man jerked out the water a little silver fish which wriggled at the end of his line. Twisting it this way and that he tried to extract his hook, but in vain. Losing his patienceContinue reading “RKS Literature: Gutted Like a Fish with Love (Guy de Maupassant)”

RKS Literature: Paul Falls Deeply for a Little Cricket of a Creature (Guy de Maupassant)

“The fact was that despite himself, without knowing why how it had happened and very much against his better judgement, he had fallen hopelessly in love. He had fallen as if into some deep and muddy hole. By nature he was a delicate and sensitive soul. He had had ideals and dreamed of an exquisiteContinue reading “RKS Literature: Paul Falls Deeply for a Little Cricket of a Creature (Guy de Maupassant)”

RKS Literature: The Smell of Flesh and Cheap Perfume (Guy de Maupassant)

“Despite the proximity of the river and the huge trees shadowing it, the place was suffocatingly hot. Mingling with the fumes of spilt drinks came the smell of flesh and the cheap perfume with which the skin of those trading in sex was drenched. Underlying all these smells was the slight but persistent aroma ofContinue reading “RKS Literature: The Smell of Flesh and Cheap Perfume (Guy de Maupassant)”

RKS Literature: Vice and Corruption Meet the Dregs of Parisian Society (Guy de Maupassant)

“The place reeked of vice and corruption and the dregs of Parisian society in all its rottenness gathered there: cheats, common and cheap hacks rubbed shoulders with under-age dandies, old roués and rogues, sleazy underworld types once notorious for things best forgotten mingled with other small-time crooks and speculators, dabblers in dubious ventures, frauds, pimpsContinue reading “RKS Literature: Vice and Corruption Meet the Dregs of Parisian Society (Guy de Maupassant)”

RKS Literature: Predatory Women and Booze Sodden Men Looking for a Fight (Guy de Maupassant)

“A noisy, rambunctious crowd filled the floating restaurant. The wooden tables, sticky and awash with streams of spilt drink, were covered with half empty glasses and surrounded by half-tipsy customers. The crowds sang and shouted and brawled. Red faced, belligerent men, their hats tipped at the backs of their heads and their eyes glassy withContinue reading “RKS Literature: Predatory Women and Booze Sodden Men Looking for a Fight (Guy de Maupassant)”

RKS Literature: Vulgarity and Idiocy (Guy de Maupassant)

“On the land adjoining La Grenouillère strollers were sauntering under gigantic trees which helped make this part of the island one of the most delightful parks imaginable. Busty women with peroxided hair and nipped-in waists could be seen made up to the nines with blood red lips and black-kohled eyes. Tightly laced into their garishContinue reading “RKS Literature: Vulgarity and Idiocy (Guy de Maupassant)”