Boule De Suif

“Boule de Suif,” which translates to “ball of fat” in English, is a short story by 19th-century French Naturalist writer Guy de Maupassant. Published in 1880, it was his first published story and is considered one of his greatest works. The story explores the power dynamics of class and gender while also painting a picture of the dismal final days of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 in Prussian-occupied France. All told, Maupassant wrote some 300 short stories as well as six novels and is regarded as the greatest French short story writer.

Other works by this author include The Necklace and A Family Affair.

This guide refers to the version published in The Works of Guy de Maupassant, Vol. 1: Boule de Suif and Other Stories, originally published in 1909 by Bigelow, Smith and Co. and freely available on Project Gutenberg.

Content Warning: This guide discusses sexual assault and exploitation.

The story opens with a description of French soldiers retreating as the Prussian army advances on Rouen. When the Prussians arrive, the citizens of Rouen are obliged to give them quarter in their homes. An uneasy peace settles over the town: Most of Rouen’s inhabitants find it easier to behave courteously to the occupying forces, but occasionally a Prussian soldier turns up murdered.