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Mateo Falcone
A Short Story from FranceOn leaving Porto-Vecchio from the northwest and directing his steps towards the interior of the island, the traveller will notice that the land rises rapidly, and after three hours' walking over tortuous paths obstructed by great masses of rock and sometimes cut by ravines, he will find himself on the border of a great mâquis. The mâquis is the domain of the Corsican shepherds and of those who are at variance with justice. It must be known that, in order to save himself the trouble of manuring his field, the Corsican husbandman sets fire to a piece of woodland. If the flame spread farther than is necessary, so much the worse! In any case he is certain of a good crop from the land fertilized by the ashes of the trees which grow upon it. He gathers only the heads of his grain, leaving the straw, which it would be unnecessary labor to cut. In the following spring the roots that have remained in the earth without being destroyed send up their tufts of sprouts, which in a few years reach a height of seven or eight feet. It is this kind of tangled thicket that is called a mâquis. They are made up of different kinds of trees and shrubs, so crowded and mingled together at the caprice of nature that only with an axe in hand can a man open a passage through them, and mâquis are frequently seen so thick and bushy that the wild sheep themselves cannot penetrate them.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1829
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243 people want to read
About the author
Prosper Mérimée
1,260 books170 followersProsper Mérimée was a French dramatist, historian, archaeologist, and short story writer. He is perhaps best known for his novella Carmen, which became the basis of Bizet's opera Carmen.
Mérimée loved mysticism, history, and the unusual, and may have been influenced by Charles Nodier (though he did not appreciate his works), the historical fiction popularised by Sir Walter Scott and the cruelty and psychological drama of Aleksandr Pushkin. Many of his stories are mysteries set in foreign places, Spain and Russia being popular sources of inspiration.
In 1834, Mérimée was appointed to the post of inspector-general of historical monuments. He was a born archaeologist, combining linguistic faculty of a very unusual kind with accurate scholarship, with remarkable historical appreciation, and with a sincere love for the arts of design and construction, in the former of which he had some practical skill. In his official capacity he published numerous reports, some of which, with other similar pieces, have been republished in his works.
He was also responsible for several translations of Pushkin and Gogol, when they weren't known in Europe yet.
Mérimée loved mysticism, history, and the unusual, and may have been influenced by Charles Nodier (though he did not appreciate his works), the historical fiction popularised by Sir Walter Scott and the cruelty and psychological drama of Aleksandr Pushkin. Many of his stories are mysteries set in foreign places, Spain and Russia being popular sources of inspiration.
In 1834, Mérimée was appointed to the post of inspector-general of historical monuments. He was a born archaeologist, combining linguistic faculty of a very unusual kind with accurate scholarship, with remarkable historical appreciation, and with a sincere love for the arts of design and construction, in the former of which he had some practical skill. In his official capacity he published numerous reports, some of which, with other similar pieces, have been republished in his works.
He was also responsible for several translations of Pushkin and Gogol, when they weren't known in Europe yet.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
November 17, 2018
Prosper Merimee is a wonderful author find for me; and thanks once again to OTR (old time radio) in introducing many authors via radio adaptations. I heard "Mateo Falcone" first over a year ago on "The Weird Circle". This radio show is all about nineteen century writers and I added this short story to my list.
Goodreads page on the author "Prosper Mérimée was a French dramatist, historian, archaeologist, and short story writer. He is perhaps best known for his novella Carmen, which became the basis of Bizet's opera Carmen." I also noted he had written a "Vendetta" story which I am hoping comes to Kindle. I have a special "Vendetta" shelf for all stories with that title interest me.
When I heard the radio version which was chilling but nothing compared to this short story which is so unbelievably tragic! The same final ending in both but the radio version gives a less striking horror to it. The story is very hard and unforgiving when it seems the son might see his error but no possible chance is there for a father's understanding. The son seems to be self centered but boys of ten most likely are that. In the radio adaptation the man hunted is accused of murder whereas in the story he is a murderer. There are many fine and larger changes but both the story and the radio version stand true to reader or listener. It is interesting that I choose this after reading John Galsworthy's Justice because each has judgment being made which have huge effects on all concerned.
The story in brief not to spoil; Fortunato is the son of Mateo Falcone of Corsica and after only girls born to the couple; a boy to carry on the family name and all the pride that goes with it. Fortunato is left at home to watch things run smoothly but soon he finds temptation so near.
https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com...
I read from a collection of his work. Look at my "Prosper Merimee" shelf if interested in highlights and notes.
A story not easily forgotten in my opinion! Another example how a short story can be so powerful. 🌼
Goodreads page on the author "Prosper Mérimée was a French dramatist, historian, archaeologist, and short story writer. He is perhaps best known for his novella Carmen, which became the basis of Bizet's opera Carmen." I also noted he had written a "Vendetta" story which I am hoping comes to Kindle. I have a special "Vendetta" shelf for all stories with that title interest me.
When I heard the radio version which was chilling but nothing compared to this short story which is so unbelievably tragic! The same final ending in both but the radio version gives a less striking horror to it. The story is very hard and unforgiving when it seems the son might see his error but no possible chance is there for a father's understanding. The son seems to be self centered but boys of ten most likely are that. In the radio adaptation the man hunted is accused of murder whereas in the story he is a murderer. There are many fine and larger changes but both the story and the radio version stand true to reader or listener. It is interesting that I choose this after reading John Galsworthy's Justice because each has judgment being made which have huge effects on all concerned.
The story in brief not to spoil; Fortunato is the son of Mateo Falcone of Corsica and after only girls born to the couple; a boy to carry on the family name and all the pride that goes with it. Fortunato is left at home to watch things run smoothly but soon he finds temptation so near.
https://www.oldtimeradiodownloads.com...
I read from a collection of his work. Look at my "Prosper Merimee" shelf if interested in highlights and notes.
A story not easily forgotten in my opinion! Another example how a short story can be so powerful. 🌼
October 3, 2022
mf killed his 10 year old son for telling the soldiers where the criminal was in the name of justice ??
November 30, 2021
Year of New Authors
With Mérimée opening this short tale with a holiday destination reccomendation for murderers, my interest was certainly piqued, but everything ended on a nasty, abrupt and yet strangely insipid splat.
Some of the characters are visualised nicely, the son of Mateo Falcone was an irritating brat (who reminded me of many school mates I never kicked hard enough in the bollocks), and the moral is clear , but I was still expecting something more than this.
I'm almost positive I've just finished a book without realising the first and last few pages have been torn out. Is this merely a small snippet of a 'foreign other' for bored readers of the 1800s, or is there supposed to be a deeper reading that banality stopped me noticing? Could we get a bit more background on our characters, so I could actually give a toss about what happens to them? Why should we care about the titular Mateo Falcone's fearsome reputation, especially when he's barely in the story?
This feels like a dusty deleted scene from El Topo, removed becaused it makes too much sense and is far too dull.
Didn't like it, didn't get it, moving on with my life.
With Mérimée opening this short tale with a holiday destination reccomendation for murderers, my interest was certainly piqued, but everything ended on a nasty, abrupt and yet strangely insipid splat.
Some of the characters are visualised nicely, the son of Mateo Falcone was an irritating brat (who reminded me of many school mates I never kicked hard enough in the bollocks), and the moral is clear , but I was still expecting something more than this.
I'm almost positive I've just finished a book without realising the first and last few pages have been torn out. Is this merely a small snippet of a 'foreign other' for bored readers of the 1800s, or is there supposed to be a deeper reading that banality stopped me noticing? Could we get a bit more background on our characters, so I could actually give a toss about what happens to them? Why should we care about the titular Mateo Falcone's fearsome reputation, especially when he's barely in the story?
This feels like a dusty deleted scene from El Topo, removed becaused it makes too much sense and is far too dull.
Didn't like it, didn't get it, moving on with my life.
December 2, 2023
Xevisberi gocha gaezro
June 4, 2023
3 ☆ -
this was a school book. kinda great!
this was a school book. kinda great!
July 10, 2017
Латинский вариант гоголевского "Тараса Бульбы". Мне вообще кажется, что именно такие произведения надо читать в школе: размер небольшой, за вечер можно запросто прочитать; слог легкий, а сюжет увлекательный. Но самое главное то, что в столь небольшом произведение заложен огромный моральный посыл. Наверно нам не хватает таких Фальконе, которые несмотря на родственные связи, превыше всего ценят моральные принципы, вопрос чести - как принцип жизни. Да, он далеко не святой и вряд ли подойдет на роль "благородного идеала молодежи", но при этом он не забывает о своеобразной честности (даже у контрабандиста есть честь и принципы)! Почему же мы, вроде как образованные и цивилизованные люди, забываем о таких прописных истинах в повседневной гонке за наживой?!
Люблю Проспера Мериме и рада, что любимый автор не подвел!
Люблю Проспера Мериме и рада, что любимый автор не подвел!
October 28, 2017
Although Mateo Falcone is a well-known short story, I had never read it. I read very few short stories, I prefer novels, and this one is very short: twelve pages. But all the talent of Prosper Merimee is to make us enter in his story as in a big novel. The setting is the Mediterranean island of Corsica, cauterized like a big scar. The characters are colorful, picturesque but they have the hardness and savagery of the maquis where they live.
In the Corsican maquis live Mateo Falcone and his family. Mateo has the reputation of being as good friend as dangerous enemy, he fears nothing and nobody: neither the bandits nor the gendarmes. He is proud and would NEVER accept betrayal. This Corsican father will have to choose between his son and his honor.
In the sober and elegant style of Prosper Mérimée, this novel approaches with coldness the themes of passion, violence, and the honor of man. And when I say man, I mean male gender. The woman, if she is present, is relegated to the last role ; she only undergoes the story, the particular morality of the man, or his absence of moral, and his violence.
But Mérimée has also produced proud female characters, such as Carmen whom Bizet was inspired for his famous opera.
I didn’t expect anything by beginning this short reading, my goal was only to entertain myself a quarter of an hour. Mateo Falcone took me by surprise and fear.
As for talking to you about Prosper Mérimée (1803-1870), it will be for another time, I like to read a lot about the life of an author, his relations, his friends, his correspondence, before having an idea on the man.
And now the French version!
Bien que Mateo Falcone soit une nouvelle très connue, je ne l’avais jamais lue ; je lis très peu de nouvelles, j’ai du mal à aimer les formats courts, et celle-ci est très courte : douze pages. Mais tout le talent de Mérimée est de nous faire entrer dans son histoire comme dans un grand roman. Le décor est l’île méditerranéenne de la Corse, cautérisée comme une grande cicatrice. Les personnages sont colorés, pittoresques mais ils ont la dureté et la sauvagerie du maquis où ils vivent, et on les croirait étudiés d’après nature, si l’on ne savait pas déjà que Mérimée ne s’était pas encore rendu en Corse avant d’avoir écrit cette nouvelle.
Dans le maquis corse vivent Mateo Falcone et sa famille. Mateo a la réputation d’être aussi bon ami que dangereux ennemi, il ne craint rien ni personne : ni les bandits, ni les gendarmes. Il est fier et met un point d’honneur à ne pas accepter la trahison. Ce père corse devra choisir entre son fils et son honneur.
Cette nouvelle aborde avec froideur, dans le style sobre et élégant de Prosper Mérimée, les thèmes de la passion, de la violence, et de l’honneur de l’homme ; et quand je dis homme, il n’est pas question ici de la femme : si elle est présente, elle est reléguée au dernier rôle, elle ne fait que subir l’histoire, la morale particulière de l’homme, ou son absence de morale, et sa violence. Mais Mérimée a produit par ailleurs de fiers personnages féminins, telle Carmen que Bizet a repris pour son opéra.
Je ne m’attendais à rien en commençant cette courte lecture, mon but n’était que de me divertir un quart d’heure. Mateo Falcone m’a prise par surprise et par effroi.
Quant à vous parler de Prosper Mérimée (1803-1870), ce sera pour une autre fois, je préfère lire beaucoup sur la vie d'un auteur, ses relations, ses amis, sa correspondance, avant d'avoir une idée de l'homme.
In the Corsican maquis live Mateo Falcone and his family. Mateo has the reputation of being as good friend as dangerous enemy, he fears nothing and nobody: neither the bandits nor the gendarmes. He is proud and would NEVER accept betrayal. This Corsican father will have to choose between his son and his honor.
In the sober and elegant style of Prosper Mérimée, this novel approaches with coldness the themes of passion, violence, and the honor of man. And when I say man, I mean male gender. The woman, if she is present, is relegated to the last role ; she only undergoes the story, the particular morality of the man, or his absence of moral, and his violence.
But Mérimée has also produced proud female characters, such as Carmen whom Bizet was inspired for his famous opera.
I didn’t expect anything by beginning this short reading, my goal was only to entertain myself a quarter of an hour. Mateo Falcone took me by surprise and fear.
As for talking to you about Prosper Mérimée (1803-1870), it will be for another time, I like to read a lot about the life of an author, his relations, his friends, his correspondence, before having an idea on the man.
And now the French version!
Bien que Mateo Falcone soit une nouvelle très connue, je ne l’avais jamais lue ; je lis très peu de nouvelles, j’ai du mal à aimer les formats courts, et celle-ci est très courte : douze pages. Mais tout le talent de Mérimée est de nous faire entrer dans son histoire comme dans un grand roman. Le décor est l’île méditerranéenne de la Corse, cautérisée comme une grande cicatrice. Les personnages sont colorés, pittoresques mais ils ont la dureté et la sauvagerie du maquis où ils vivent, et on les croirait étudiés d’après nature, si l’on ne savait pas déjà que Mérimée ne s’était pas encore rendu en Corse avant d’avoir écrit cette nouvelle.
Dans le maquis corse vivent Mateo Falcone et sa famille. Mateo a la réputation d’être aussi bon ami que dangereux ennemi, il ne craint rien ni personne : ni les bandits, ni les gendarmes. Il est fier et met un point d’honneur à ne pas accepter la trahison. Ce père corse devra choisir entre son fils et son honneur.
Cette nouvelle aborde avec froideur, dans le style sobre et élégant de Prosper Mérimée, les thèmes de la passion, de la violence, et de l’honneur de l’homme ; et quand je dis homme, il n’est pas question ici de la femme : si elle est présente, elle est reléguée au dernier rôle, elle ne fait que subir l’histoire, la morale particulière de l’homme, ou son absence de morale, et sa violence. Mais Mérimée a produit par ailleurs de fiers personnages féminins, telle Carmen que Bizet a repris pour son opéra.
Je ne m’attendais à rien en commençant cette courte lecture, mon but n’était que de me divertir un quart d’heure. Mateo Falcone m’a prise par surprise et par effroi.
Quant à vous parler de Prosper Mérimée (1803-1870), ce sera pour une autre fois, je préfère lire beaucoup sur la vie d'un auteur, ses relations, ses amis, sa correspondance, avant d'avoir une idée de l'homme.
January 1, 2022
"კორსიკის მთებში ნათესაური კავშირი უფრო შორს მიდის, ვიდრე სხვა ევროპულ ქვეყნებში"
ხევისბერ გოჩასთან შედარებით უფრო დინამიურია და კონცენტრირებულია მხოლოდ მთავარ საკითხზე. ტარას ბულბასაც გავიცნობ და შემდეგ უფრო დავუფიქრდები შვილმკვლელი მამებისადმი ჩემს დამოკიდებულებას
ხევისბერ გოჩასთან შედარებით უფრო დინამიურია და კონცენტრირებულია მხოლოდ მთავარ საკითხზე. ტარას ბულბასაც გავიცნობ და შემდეგ უფრო დავუფიქრდები შვილმკვლელი მამებისადმი ჩემს დამოკიდებულებას
December 28, 2021
Is me reading short-stories to finish my 2021 reading challenge cheating?... No I don't think it's cheating
December 17, 2022
3.5
This being a short story from centuries ago makes it harder for me to understand the context and meaning of the story.
I’m not an expert in coriscan customs or 19th century societal norms, so to me Mateo is in the wrong and Fortunato didn’t deserve what happened.
However, I can see how for the time it was written, this would’ve been an interesting read to a society with changing and multiple influences of morals.
This being a short story from centuries ago makes it harder for me to understand the context and meaning of the story.
I’m not an expert in coriscan customs or 19th century societal norms, so to me Mateo is in the wrong and Fortunato didn’t deserve what happened.
However, I can see how for the time it was written, this would’ve been an interesting read to a society with changing and multiple influences of morals.
March 17, 2024
სასიამოვნოდ იკიᲗხებოდა და საკმაოდ საინტერესოდ ჰქონდა ავტორს გადმოცემული<3 ვერაფერს ვერ ვიტყვი ცუდს გარდა იმისა რომ ამ მონების გაყიდვის Თემა გულზე მომხვდა:(((
February 20, 2025
...čistý naturalizmus, skôr, ako to bolo v móde, čistá sila zásadovosti, hrdosti a spravodlivosti nad akékoľvek pozemské zväzky...
June 15, 2021
This is an incredible, hardest story that excites the spirit and heart and the whole essence of a human... How can you forget it?!
In the 17th century, one Corsican is ready to sacrifice his only child to honor and duty, but a miracle will not happen.
A shocking story, composed and told in a few paragraphs.
In the 17th century, one Corsican is ready to sacrifice his only child to honor and duty, but a miracle will not happen.
A shocking story, composed and told in a few paragraphs.
April 6, 2020
ამ მოთხრობაში ყველა პერსონაჟი მეზიზღება.
February 18, 2023
Citaat : 'Maquis' noemt men dat soort dichte kreupelhout. Het bestaat uit verschillende soorten bomen en struiken, kriskras in en door elkaar gegroeid zoals het god behaagt. Alleen met de bijl in de hand zou iemand zich een weg kunnen banen, en soms is de maquis zo dik en vol dat zelfs moeflons er niet kunnen in doordringen.
Review : Het verhaal Mateo Falcone droeg oorspronkelijk als ondertitel Moeurs de la Corse, ‘Corsicaanse zeden’. De zeden die erin worden geschilderd zijn die van een plattelandssamenleving waar de traditie van de eremoord nog bestaat. Verraad is een doodzonde en de familie-eer heilig – opvattingen die ook vandaag de dag in de mediterrane wereld hun tol nog eisen.
Het gegeven voor Mateo Falcone gaat terug op een waargebeurd voorval: in het begin van de 19de eeuw werd een herder door verwanten om het leven gebracht omdat hij een deserteur had verraden. Prosper Mérimée, die wereldberoemd werd nadat George Bizet zijn opera Carmen baseerde op zijn boek, heeft dit gruwelijke gegeven verwerkt tot een zeer compact verhaal, dat evenwel de lezer nog altijd koude rillingen bezorgt.
De auteur bouwt het verhaal zéér mooi op, geeft een zéér mooie beschrijving van Corsica en zijn beruchte en beroemde Maquis. De horror van het verhaal grijpt je zo enorm aan omdat de auteur de jonge zoon van Mateo Falcone zo vertederend beschrijft waarna het verhaal een grimmige bocht neemt. De vakkundige nabespreking van Jan Pieter van der Sterre maakt van dit dunne boekje een waar kleinood.
Uitgeverij Voetnoot brengt heel gedreven werk van Belgische schrijvers (Vlaams en Waals) onder de aandacht en poetst vergeten pareltjes uit de wereldliteratuur weer op.
Schitterend werk allemaal!
Review : Het verhaal Mateo Falcone droeg oorspronkelijk als ondertitel Moeurs de la Corse, ‘Corsicaanse zeden’. De zeden die erin worden geschilderd zijn die van een plattelandssamenleving waar de traditie van de eremoord nog bestaat. Verraad is een doodzonde en de familie-eer heilig – opvattingen die ook vandaag de dag in de mediterrane wereld hun tol nog eisen.
Het gegeven voor Mateo Falcone gaat terug op een waargebeurd voorval: in het begin van de 19de eeuw werd een herder door verwanten om het leven gebracht omdat hij een deserteur had verraden. Prosper Mérimée, die wereldberoemd werd nadat George Bizet zijn opera Carmen baseerde op zijn boek, heeft dit gruwelijke gegeven verwerkt tot een zeer compact verhaal, dat evenwel de lezer nog altijd koude rillingen bezorgt.
De auteur bouwt het verhaal zéér mooi op, geeft een zéér mooie beschrijving van Corsica en zijn beruchte en beroemde Maquis. De horror van het verhaal grijpt je zo enorm aan omdat de auteur de jonge zoon van Mateo Falcone zo vertederend beschrijft waarna het verhaal een grimmige bocht neemt. De vakkundige nabespreking van Jan Pieter van der Sterre maakt van dit dunne boekje een waar kleinood.
Uitgeverij Voetnoot brengt heel gedreven werk van Belgische schrijvers (Vlaams en Waals) onder de aandacht en poetst vergeten pareltjes uit de wereldliteratuur weer op.
Schitterend werk allemaal!
October 6, 2022
Alors.
D'habitude j'aime beaucoup Mérimée, et c'est vrai que cette histoire a le mérite d'être marquante.
Mais là où certains s'extasient sur la morale, je cite certains commentaires "l'honneur, une valeur oubliée dans l'ouest" ou encore "snitches get stiches", je trouve au contraire que le bel esprit Corse de l'honneur et de l'honnêteté n'est pas du tout représenté, et qu'il s'agit d'une sombre histoire tragique et horrible ?
Un homme tue froidement son fils d'une balle parce que celui ci, âgé de 10 ans, certes motivé par la cupidité et l'envie, a dénoncé un criminel qui se cachait chez lui ?
Deux morales possibles, de mon point de vue :
1) Le criminel a payé une pièce, la justice une montre. Un inconnu et une figure familiale connue. Le choix est logique, surtout pour un enfant.
2) on est pas ??? Censés ??? Cacher ??? Des criminels ???? Chez nous ??? C'est pas un jeu en fait ? C'est pas honorable, ou hospitalier, ou quoi que ce soit.
Bref. Cet enfant ne méritait pas la mort, Mateo est un bouffon, il n'a plus de fils (ce qui, vu ce qui est dit de son avis sur ses trois filles, doit lui porter un coup), il aurait pu se contenter d'une leçon, mais non.
Grosse bouffonnerie.
D'habitude j'aime beaucoup Mérimée, et c'est vrai que cette histoire a le mérite d'être marquante.
Mais là où certains s'extasient sur la morale, je cite certains commentaires "l'honneur, une valeur oubliée dans l'ouest" ou encore "snitches get stiches", je trouve au contraire que le bel esprit Corse de l'honneur et de l'honnêteté n'est pas du tout représenté, et qu'il s'agit d'une sombre histoire tragique et horrible ?
Un homme tue froidement son fils d'une balle parce que celui ci, âgé de 10 ans, certes motivé par la cupidité et l'envie, a dénoncé un criminel qui se cachait chez lui ?
Deux morales possibles, de mon point de vue :
1) Le criminel a payé une pièce, la justice une montre. Un inconnu et une figure familiale connue. Le choix est logique, surtout pour un enfant.
2) on est pas ??? Censés ??? Cacher ??? Des criminels ???? Chez nous ??? C'est pas un jeu en fait ? C'est pas honorable, ou hospitalier, ou quoi que ce soit.
Bref. Cet enfant ne méritait pas la mort, Mateo est un bouffon, il n'a plus de fils (ce qui, vu ce qui est dit de son avis sur ses trois filles, doit lui porter un coup), il aurait pu se contenter d'une leçon, mais non.
Grosse bouffonnerie.
December 6, 2021
Хороше оповідання, насичений цікавий сюжет, легкі образи, приємні описи та неочікуваний кінець. Сподобалось зображення автором місцевого колориту, нотки гумору впродовж твору.
Обережно, спойлер: Гадаю, батько мав обговорити із сином, що робити в таких ситуаціях. Хто такі ті, хто ховаються в макі, що таке честь та доблесть у розумінні батька, чому має слідувати його син. Тобто виходить, що те, що трапилось - вина батька, і він мав теж застрелитись згідно до своїх принципів, бо не виховав відповідні цінності у сина. Якщо все ж ця розмова була, а автор не дав натяку на це жоднимсловом у тексті, то хлопчик справді дурний, і мав би знати, що буде за його вчинком. Саме ця непотрібна неоднозначність, нелогічність, не сподобалась.
Обережно, спойлер: Гадаю, батько мав обговорити із сином, що робити в таких ситуаціях. Хто такі ті, хто ховаються в макі, що таке честь та доблесть у розумінні батька, чому має слідувати його син. Тобто виходить, що те, що трапилось - вина батька, і він мав теж застрелитись згідно до своїх принципів, бо не виховав відповідні цінності у сина. Якщо все ж ця розмова була, а автор не дав натяку на це жоднимсловом у тексті, то хлопчик справді дурний, і мав би знати, що буде за його вчинком. Саме ця непотрібна неоднозначність, нелогічність, не сподобалась.
February 8, 2020
The novel "Mateo Falcon" is written by a famous French writer of the 19th century, Prosper Merimee. The plot might be shocking. The story is about eternal spiritual values. Following the spiritual values, the main characters began to do horrible things.
This story is also described as depicting the Corsican style of life and attitudes of people towards each other. The ending of the story is intriguing with an unexpected conclusion. Readers might have very different opinions about the moral of the story.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://www.classicshorts.com/stories...
This story is also described as depicting the Corsican style of life and attitudes of people towards each other. The ending of the story is intriguing with an unexpected conclusion. Readers might have very different opinions about the moral of the story.
Here is the link to the text of the story:
https://www.classicshorts.com/stories...
November 11, 2022
I chanced upon a book of junior great books in my library, and this was the first story, or novella. Merimee instantly sets the scene for a world of high contrasts, the high plateau region of Corsica which is both tranquil yet sinister. Falcone, his protagonist, is a renowned sharpshooter, yet an "obliging and charitable" neighbor. When Falcone's young and only son, Fortunato, is left alone one day, he encounters a visitor to their home: a man who is fleeing for his life. What ensues is a scene of intense moral conflict. The boy must decide the fate of this stranger, and in doing so, seals his own fate. It is a story I won't soon forget.
March 1, 2019
3.5 stars. A swift, sharp tale of Corsican loyalty and honor killing. As in his best work, Mérimée chronicles the moral codes of outlaws and bandits in highly entertaining prose. His fiction is great fun to read, even if it sometimes seems a little light in having anything substantive or new to say on topics of love, honor, and vengeance.
November 4, 2024
Страшная история в которой мотивы отца остаются для меня туманными даже после перепрочтения финала и попытки понять что же такое страшное совершил сын. Вся новелла удивляет своей неприкрытой злостью к человеку, причем и к слабым и несчастным и даже к взрослым и сильным. По итогу тут нет победителей. Только проигравшие.
June 2, 2017
რატომღაც ამ შვილისმკვლელ მამების მიმართ, ყოველთვის ძალიან, ძალიან დიდი ზიზღი მაქვს....
August 18, 2017
One of the best short story i've ever read.
October 28, 2017
What a heartbreaking tale!!
November 17, 2018
Facile à lire
July 28, 2019
I didn’t expect the end
August 25, 2019
თუ გინდა, როგორც დამკვირვებელმა პერსონაჟმა ნაწარმოებისა, შენ თავზე იტვირთო ფორტუნატოს მიმართ მიღებული/მისაღები გადაწყვეტილება და მერე იფიქრო რამდენად სწორად მოიქეცი...
November 19, 2019
A little crazy! Otherwise a decent read.
October 23, 2020
J'ai lu la version sur LingQ.
November 16, 2020
Masterpiece. A brilliant short story on pride, a forgotten value in the west.
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