Ball of Fat (Boule de Suif) - Unabridged English Edition
Enriched edition. A Tale of Class, Crisis, and Human Nature in 19th Century FranceBy Guy de Maupassant
Length2h 58m
About this audiobook
In "Ball of Fat," originally published in 1880, Guy de Maupassant crafts a poignant short story set against the backdrop of the Franco-Prussian War. Through the experiences of a group of French citizens stranded in a German-occupied town, Maupassant explores themes of nationalism, sacrifice, and the moral complexities of war. The narrative unfolds with a blend of realism and psychological depth, showcasing Maupassant's incisive prose and mastery of dialogue, illuminating the inherent tensions between personal desire and collective duty. The story's structure, presenting a microcosm of society, reflects the social criticisms prevalent in the Naturalism movement, through which Maupassant reveals the fragility of human dignity amidst crisis. Maupassant, a protégé of Flaubert and a central figure of 19th-century literature, drew inspiration from his own experiences during the war, providing him with a profound understanding of human behavior under duress. His keen observational skills and penchant for irony culminate in a narrative that not only critiques societal norms but also delves into the psychological ramifications of conflict, making "Ball of Fat" a lasting commentary on the human condition. Readers seeking a compelling examination of moral ambiguity and human resilience will find "Ball of Fat" an indispensable addition to their literary repertoire. Maupassant's incisive storytelling invites reflection on historical and contemporary challenges, making it not only a historical artifact but a timeless exploration of the human spirit.
In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 3.9 (15.6K)
Includes Goodreads, LibraryThing, StoryGraph, Amazon
GenreLiterary Classics, General Fiction
Length2 hrs 58 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateJan 4, 2024
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Introduction
6Ball of Fat (Boule de Suif) – Unabridged English Edition
2Introduction
7Analysis
3Synopsis
8Reflection
4Historical Context
9Memorable Quotes
5Author Biography
Stark wie der TodGuy de Maupassant9h 4m3.9 (2.3K)$1 · $0.00
Notre Coeur (A Woman's Pastime)Guy de Maupassant8h 38m3.8 (3.7K)$1.99 · $0.00
Notre CoeurGuy de Maupassant8h 40m3.9 (3K)$1.99 · $0.00
Toute l'Oeuvre Théâtrale de Guy de MaupassantGuy de Maupassant6h 46m$1.99 · $0.00
Tous les Contes et Nouvelles de Maupassant (plus de 320 Contes)Guy de Maupassant101h 27m4.6 (1.2K)$1.99 · $0.00
Toutes les Chroniques de Guy de Maupassant (de 1876 à 1891 + les chroniques posthumes)Guy de Maupassant43h 45m4.6 (16)$1.99 · $0.00
Sämtliche Romane (Kommentiert)Guy de Maupassant76h 10m4.3 (69)$1.50 · $0.00
The Collected Short Stories: The Necklace + The Piece of String + Boule de Suif + Mademoiselle Fifi + Pierrot + Two Friends + La Maison Tellier + Ghosts and much more (Annotated)Guy de Maupassant87h 26m4.4 (2.3K)$2 · $0.00
Maupassant: Die beliebtesten Erzählungen (Tag-und Nachtgeschichten + Der Horla + Nutzlose Schönheit + Die kleine Roque und mehr) (Kommentiert)Guy de Maupassant21h 38m4.5 (16)$2 · $0.00
Gesammelte Werke: Romane + Erzählungen (Kommentiert)Guy de Maupassant152h 23m4.5 (1K)$1 · $0.00
Mademoiselle Fifi and Other Stories - Bilingual Edition (English / French) (Annotated)Guy de Maupassant10h 50m$2 · $0.00
Collected Short Stories of Guy de Maupassant: The Necklace + The Piece of String + Boule de Suif + Mademoiselle Fifi + Pierrot + Two Friends + La Maison Tellier + Ghosts and much more (Annotated)Guy de Maupassant87h 20m4.0 (11)$2 · $0.00
The Horla (Horror Classic) - (The Classic English Edition) (Annotated)Guy de Maupassant2h 36m4.1 (46K)$2 · $0.00
The Diamond Necklace (Unabridged) (Annotated)Guy de Maupassant1h 51m4.3 (42)$2 · $0.00
Maupassant: Les récits de voyage (Annoté)Guy De Maupassant14h 55m$1.99 · $0.00
L'oeuvre théâtrale de Maupassant (Annoté)Guy De Maupassant7h 47m$1.99 · $0.00
Collected Novels of Guy de Maupassant (Bel-Ami + A Life + Pierre and Jean + Strong as Death + Mont Oriol + Notre Coeur) (Annotated)Guy de Maupassant51h 48m$2 · $0.00
Maupassant: Nouvelles et contes complètes (Annoté)Guy De Maupassant102h 38m4.6 (1.1K)$1.99 · $0.00
Die bekanntesten erotischen Novellen von Guy de Maupassant (Kommentiert)Guy de Maupassant9h 34m$1 · $0.00
Der Liebling / Bel-Ami - Zweisprachige Ausgabe (Deutsch-Französisch) / Edition bilingue (français-allemand) (Kommentiert)Guy de Maupassant29h 32m$1 · $0.00
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee12h 18m4.5 (7.4M)$29 · $0.00
These Precious DaysAnn Patchett11h 14m4.5 (45.2K)$29 · $0.00
The Complete Histories / History Plays of William Shakespeare (Annotated)William Shakespeare29h 42m4.6 (2.3K)$1.99 · $0.00
Braving the TruthRachel Held Evans11h 31m4.7 (359)$29 · $0.00
The Old Man and the Sea (Annotated)Ernest Hemingway4h 27m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
Twelfth Night (The Unabridged Play) + The Classic Biography (Annotated)William Shakespeare, Sidney Lee16h 38m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
Henry V (The Play, Historical Background and Analysis of the Character in the Play)William Shakespeare, William Hazlitt8h 50m4.6 (1.3K)$1.99 · $0.00
H. P. LOVECRAFT Ultimate Collection: Novellas, Short Stories, Poetry & Essays (Annotated)H. P. Lovecraft12h 28m4.6 (2.3K)$2 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust16h 8m4.5 (10.6K)$1.99 · $0.00
Lessons in TruthH. Emilie3h 50m4.6 (1.4K)$4.70 · $0.00
TORAH - Bilingual Edition: English/Hebrew (Annotated)Max Margolis, JPS28h 26m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
Betty Crocker picture cooky bookBetty Crocker, Inc. General Mills2h 13m4.5 (6.5K)$1 · $0.00
The Complete Tales of Beatrix PotterBeatrix Potter3h 36m4.5 (75K)$3 · $0.00
Anne of Green GablesL. M. Montgomery11h 1m4.5 (1.2M)$2.30 · $0.00
Crime and Punishment (The Unabridged Garnett Translation) (Annotated)Fyodor Dostoevsky24h 25m4.5 (15.4K)$1.99 · $0.00
The North American IndianEdward S. Curtis, Frederick Webb Hodge6h4.5 (1.2K)$2 · $0.00
The Picture of Dorian Gray: The Uncensored 13 Chapter Version + The Revised 20 Chapter Version (Annotated)Oscar Wilde16h 12m4.5 (2.8K)$1.99 · $0.00
Grimoire Of The Everyday WitchIsadora Lys / Virginia Santos5h 35m4.5 (3.9K)$9 · $0.00
Winnie-the-PoohAlan Alexander Milne2h 52m4.5 (401.1K)$3 · $0.00
Sitting PrettyRebekah Taussig7h 33m4.5 (18.9K)$26 · $0.00
WhistlerAnn Patchett10h 45m4.6 (4.6K)$29 · $0.00
Demon CopperheadBarbara Kingsolver21h 3m4.5 (949.4K)$46 · $0.00
To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee12h 18m4.5 (7.4M)$29 · $0.00
Remarkably Bright CreaturesShelby Van Pelt11h 17m4.4 (1.7M)$29 · $0.00
Black History CollectionFrederick Douglass, Harriet Ann Jacobs, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois27h 9m4.6 (2.6K)$18 · $0.00
The Old Man and the Sea (Annotated)Ernest Hemingway4h 27m4.6 (1.4K)$2 · $0.00
White HotIlona Andrews13h 18m4.5 (136.9K)$5 · $0.00
The Ghost by the Billabong (The Matilda Saga, #5)Jackie French14h 58m4.6 (773)$33 · $0.00
Cast in BloodMichelle Sagara16h 35m4.6 (607)$33 · $0.00
The Captain Blood Trilogy (Annotated)Rafael Sabatini29h 20m4.6 (1K)$3 · $0.00
Ship of the Line (Annotated)Cecil Louis Troughton Smith11h 13m4.6 (1K)$2 · $0.00
The George Orwell CollectionGeorge Orwell24h 46m4.5 (14.4K)$12 · $0.00
Time RegainedMarcel Proust15h 38m4.5 (9.2K)$2 · $0.00
Driving ForceElle James4h 58m4.6 (407)$20 · $0.00
When God Calls the HeartBrian Bird, Michelle Cox3h 24m4.6 (439)$10 · $0.00
Five Little IndiansMichelle Good10h 34m4.5 (64.5K)$29 · $0.00
Lolth's WarriorR. A. Salvatore13h 20m4.6 (2.4K)$33 · $0.00
The Things We Cannot SayKelly Rimmer13h 48m4.5 (359.1K)$33 · $0.00
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du BoisHonoree Fanonne Jeffers29h 49m4.5 (58K)$8 · $0.00
Going PostalTerry Pratchett11h 23m4.5 (189.9K)$29 · $0.00
You may also like
Boule De SuifGuy De Maupassant1h 44m4.0 (16.6K)$15 · $0.00
Boule de SuifGuy de Maupassant1h 44m4.0 (17.7K)$1 · $0.00
Boule de SuifGuy de Maupassant1h 44m4.0 (16.3K)$1 · $0.00
Ball of Fat (Boule de Suif)Guy de Maupassant3h 15m3.9 (14.2K)$1.99 · $0.00
An Unpleasant Predicament: A Nasty Story (Annotated)Fyodor Dostoyevsky3h 56m3.7 (6.6K)$2 · $0.00
The MisanthropeMolière2h 2m4.0 (32.6K)$1.20 · $0.00
BOULE DE SUIF & OTHER TALESGuy de Maupassant10h 50m4.0 (13.9K)$1.99 · $0.00
ERNEST HEMINGWAY - Premium Edition (Annotated)Ernest Hemingway86h 55m4.6 (1.9K)$2 · $0.00
Give Me a BreakJohn Stossel5h 40m4.2 (2.1K)$24 · $0.00
Elmer GantrySinclair Lewis17h 30m4.0 (8.9K)$2.40
The Complete Works of George OrwellGeorge Orwell114h 54m4.5 (253)$1 · $0.00
SharpMichelle Dean11h 35m3.6 (1.9K)$23 · $0.00
In a Free StateV. S. Naipaul9h 3m3.7 (6K)$20
The Gods are AthirstAnatole France9h 5m4.0 (5.7K)$2 · $0.00
The George Orwell CollectionGeorge Orwell24h 46m4.5 (14.4K)$12 · $0.00
Animal Farm (Unabridged edition)George Orwell3h 14m4.2 (5M)$3.40 · $0.00
The Collected Works of George OrwellGeorge Orwell115h 35m4.5 (286)$2 · $0.00
The Lesson of the MasterHenry James2h 29m3.6 (1.7K)$8 · $0.00
An Enemy of the PeopleHenrik Ibsen3h 44m4.0 (21.2K)$3.50 · $0.00
Ball of Fat (Boule de Suif) - Unabridged English Edition (Annotated)Guy de Maupassant3h 18m4.1 (63)$1.99 · $0.00