On a Spring Evening

Can a single evening be perfect? It can if you ask a couple in love. The short story "On a Spring Evening" by Guy de Maupassant, who is widely considered the master of French Naturalism, is a picturesque tale of love set in the 19th century. Cousins Jeanne and Jacques are set to be married, much to the glee of their parents. As they take a stroll on a spring evening, their emotions seem to get the best of them. The story paints a vivid picture of a scenic night and how far a single act of kindness can go.

Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a prolific French writer considered a pioneer in modern short story writing. Maupassant was a protégé of French writer Gustave Flaubert and is known for novels such as A Woman's Life and short stories including "The Horla" and "The Dumpling." Maupassant's stories fall into the Naturalist movement, often depicting social entanglements and complex human fates. They have inspired countless film adaptations including the French-Belgian drama called A Woman's Life (2016).