Maupassant and the American Short Story

Maupassant and the American Short Story, Volume 1, examines the profound influence of Guy de Maupassant on the development of American short stories. Richard Fusco explores how the works of Ambrose Bierce, O. Henry, Kate Chopin, and Henry James were shaped by French literary techniques. This scholarly work addresses the historical misperceptions regarding story structure, specifically the tendency to view Maupassant through the lens of the surprise-inversion tale. By analyzing how different authors interpreted his style, the text provides a new perspective on the evolution of the genre.

This literary history and criticism volume introduces an original approach to short-story structure using adapted Aristotelian concepts. Fusco defines seven distinct textual formulas, including linear, ironic coda, and sinusoidal forms, to demonstrate Maupassant's technical mastery. As a study of literary form, Maupassant and the American Short Story, Volume 1, offers essential insights into the historical development of short stories and the complex relationship between French and American fiction.