Subject
Short stories, English -- Translations into French Books
Best books
Rudyard Kipling
Monseigneur l'Éléphant
"Monseigneur l'Éléphant" by Rudyard Kipling is a short story written in the late 19th century. This story, drawn from Kipling's "Many Inventions," centers around the character of Mulvaney, a soldier who recounts a remarkable encounter involving an elephant and the chaos that ensues. The narrative promises humor and insight into human-animal relationships in a colonial setting, particularly highlighting the challenges soldiers face with the elephants that assist in their duties. At the start of the story, the scene is set during a hot evening where the soldiers are tending to twelve government elephants. The protagonist, Térence Mulvaney,, introduces the other soldiers, along with his pet dog, Vixen, who momentarily causes a commotion among the elephants. Mulvaney shares anecdotes about elephants' unpredictable behavior and the cultural perceptions surrounding these majestic creatures. The narrative hints at a past incident where Mulvaney had a memorable encounter with an elephant, building anticipation for the tale to unfold that promises elements of humor, camaraderie, and adventure amidst military life.
Rudyard Kipling
Simples Contes des Collines
"Simples Contes des Collines" by Rudyard Kipling is a short story collection published in 1888. This debut collection features forty tales of British colonial life in India, many set in the hill station of Simla, the summer capital of the British Raj. Through these stories, Kipling introduces memorable characters like Mrs. Hauksbee, policeman Strickland, and the Soldiers Three, while depicting various aspects of Anglo-Indian society with straightforward narrative style. The collection launched Kipling's literary career at age twenty-three.
Rudyard Kipling
Le Chat Maltais
"Le Chat Maltais" by Rudyard Kipling is a short story collection written in the early 20th century. The narrative revolves around themes of polo and camaraderie, focusing on the spirited competition between teams, particularly the team led by the character known as the Chat Maltais. The stories likely explore concepts of sport, identity, and the colorful life of horses and their riders within the colonial context of India. At the start of "Le Chat Maltais," the narrative introduces readers to an intense polo match where the team of the Skidars faces off against the formidable Archanges. The opening scene paints a vivid picture of the significance of the match, highlighting the unease and pressure felt by the players as they confront competitors equipped with superior ponies. Through dialogue and action, the Chat Maltais, a clever and experienced pony, encourages his companions to strategize and stay focused on the task at hand amidst the lively and competitive atmosphere surrounding them. The dynamics of teamwork, individual skill, and the thrill of the sport set the stage for an engaging tale of rivalry and ambition.
Rudyard Kipling
Sous les déodars
"Sous les déodars" by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of short stories published in January 1889. Set in the British colonial world of India, particularly the hill station of Simla, these tales explore romantic entanglements, social intrigue, and military life. The stories feature scheming society women, forbidden affairs, jealous lovers, and devoted soldiers navigating the complex social hierarchies of the Raj. From scandalous liaisons to acts of quiet heroism, Kipling captures both the frivolity and tragedy of colonial society.
Rudyard Kipling
Le retour d'Imray
"Le retour d'Imray" by Rudyard Kipling is a short story written in the early 20th century. It revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a man named Imray from his position in a small Indian station, capturing the intrigue and curiosity of his contemporaries. The narrative explores themes of mystery and the nature of life in the British Raj, drawing readers into the atmosphere of colonial India. The opening portion introduces us to Imray, a seemingly vibrant individual who suddenly vanishes without a trace, leaving behind a baffled community and prompting investigation. His absence eventually becomes an anecdote, overshadowed by the everyday workings of the British Empire. Meanwhile, the story shifts focus to Strickland, a police officer who moves into Imray's empty bungalow and finds himself amid an eerie ambiance, as his dog Tietjens reacts to unseen presences. The tension escalates as events unfold, leading to a grim discovery that suggests darker undercurrents in Imray's fate. This sets the tone for a tale filled with suspense and the exploration of human emotions against the backdrop of imperial life.
H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Dans l'abîme
"Dans l'abîme" by H. G. Wells is a short story first published in 1896. An inventor named Elstead descends to the ocean floor in a specially designed steel sphere, five miles beneath the surface. On the sea bed, he encounters an extraordinary civilization of bipedal, human-like creatures who tow his sphere to their city and worship him. After surviving this first journey and sharing his remarkable tale, Elstead improves his apparatus and attempts a second descent—but never returns.
Rudyard Kipling
Nouveaux Contes des Collines
"Nouveaux Contes des Collines" by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The work features various narratives often set in India, exploring themes of love, cultural clashes, and human relationships through the lens of British colonial perspectives. One central character introduced in the opening portion is Lispeth, a beautiful young girl from the hills who converts to Christianity and experiences tumultuous emotions tied to her love for an Englishman. The opening of "Nouveaux Contes des Collines" begins with the story of Lispeth, who is the daughter of a couple from the hills. After her parents die from cholera, Lispeth grows up in a mission, becoming a lovely and devout young woman. Her life takes a turn when she comes across a wounded Englishman during one of her long walks; she brings him to the mission to nurse him back to health, declaring her intention to marry him. However, upon learning that he is already engaged back in England, Lispeth's future becomes uncertain, leading to her eventual rejection of her English identity and a return to her native ways after she realizes he will not return. This story sets the tone for Kipling's exploration of identity, love, and loss against the backdrop of colonial India.
Rudyard Kipling
Actions et réactions
"Actions et Réactions" by Rudyard Kipling is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The book explores various relationships, conflicts, and moral dilemmas through richly drawn characters, particularly focusing on themes of human experience and interaction. The opening of the collection introduces George and Sophie Chapin, a married couple navigating a life transition after George's health issues prompt them to leave America for England. As they travel through Europe, their relationship is tested and deepened, revealing their isolation and mutual dependence. They settle in a rustic English home called Friars Pardon, where they encounter local characters and slowly adapt to their new surroundings. This first segment sets the stage for the couple’s continuing journey of self-discovery and adaptation in an unfamiliar land, infused with Kipling's keen observations of character and culture.
Oscar Wilde
Le portrait de monsieur W. H.
"Le portrait de monsieur W. H." by Oscar Wilde is a story first published in 1889. It explores an attempt to uncover the identity of Mr. W. H., the mysterious dedicatee of Shakespeare's Sonnets. The narrative follows characters obsessed with proving that the sonnets were addressed to Willie Hughes, a boy actor in Shakespeare's company. Through forgery, research, and tragic conviction, the story examines how belief in an elegant theory can consume those who pursue it, even without concrete evidence.
Charles Dickens
Les conteurs à la ronde
"Les conteurs à la ronde" by Charles Dickens is a collection of interconnected stories written in the late 19th century. The text sets the stage for a narrative that revolves around a Christmas gathering where family members take turns sharing their tales, showcasing Dickens's hallmark exploration of human nature, relationships, and societal commentary. The opening character, known as "the poor relative," suggests a humble and possibly underappreciated protagonist who sets the tone for the familial and emotional themes that will unfold. The opening of the work introduces "the poor relative," who feels uncomfortable taking the spotlight among more esteemed family members during their storytelling session. Despite his self-deprecating humor, he begins to reveal details of his life, suggesting a past filled with unfulfilled dreams and disappointments. As he shares his story, the narrative hints at deeper truths about family dynamics, aspirations, and the complex interplay of social status, suggesting that this collection will weave a rich tapestry of interconnected narratives, underpinned by the warmth and challenges of family life, particularly during the festive season.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Le cas étrange du docteur Jekyll; Un logement pour la nuit
"Le cas étrange du docteur Jekyll; Un logement pour la nuit" by Stevenson is a collection of fiction written in the late 19th century. It pairs a Gothic investigation into the bond between the esteemed Dr. Jekyll and the menacing Mr. Hyde with an additional tale likely set in medieval Paris. The main thread follows lawyer Mr. Utterson as he probes the unsettling overlap between public respectability and hidden vice in Victorian London. The opening of the collection introduces Mr. Utterson, who hears Enfield’s story of a cruel, small man named Hyde using a key to a mysterious door and producing a dubious cheque linked to Dr. Jekyll. Troubled by Jekyll’s will that favors Hyde, Utterson seeks and confronts Hyde, confirms his access to Jekyll’s home, and soon learns of the savage murder of Sir Danvers Carew; Hyde disappears, while police find evidence in his Soho rooms. Jekyll disavows Hyde and shows a note, which Utterson’s clerk remarks resembles Jekyll’s handwriting; Lanyon then falls fatally ill after a secret rupture with Jekyll and dies, leaving a sealed packet, while Jekyll grows reclusive. The section ends as Poole, Jekyll’s servant, fearfully begs Utterson to come at once, implying something is terribly wrong behind the locked laboratory door.
Joseph Conrad
En marge des marées
"En marge des marées" by Joseph Conrad is a collection of three short fiction works published in 1912. Inspired by an unexpected visit from a former seafaring colleague in 1909, Conrad returned to writing short stories after years away from the form. The collection features tales set in the Malay Archipelago, drawing on Conrad's maritime experiences. These stories resonated with Conrad's former colleagues, who had become readers of his fiction, prompting him to dedicate the work to Captain C. M. Marris.
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