Boule de Suif

“Boule de Suif” (translated variously as “Dumpling”, “Butterball”, “Ball of Fat” or “Ball of Lard”) is a famous short story by the late-19th century French writer Guy de Maupassant first published on 15/16 April 1880. The story takes place during the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. French troops must retreat to Normandy after the invasion of the city of Rouen by the Prussians. A group of French will try to flee to the city of Dieppe. For that they will borrow a stagecoach. In this diligence there will be: a couple of traders, a couple of bourgeois, a couple of nobles, two nuns, a democrat and Boule de Suif. Boule de Suif is a gallant who brings out mistrust and indignation in the other occupants. Yet she will end up helping them. In this short story you will discover how Boule de Suif, this Bonapartist, will become a fallen heroine.