The Viaticum and Other Stories by Guy de Maupassant is a collection of short stories that showcases the author’s keen eye for human nature and his mastery of the short story form. These stories explore the complexities of human emotions, often with a focus on love, desire, and the darker sides of human behavior. Maupassant’s characters range from ordinary people to those facing extraordinary circumstances, all vividly depicted with his characteristic realism and irony. The collection offers a window into 19th-century French society and the timeless intricacies of the human condition.