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.