I am the worst former English major/ Librarian-in-training

January 29, 2009 7:12 PM

I'm looking for the title of a French short story, in which a father kills his son.

I have not actually read this story. It apparently begins with a lengthy description of a particular region in France, where trees have been burned down. The main character, a boy, betrays the location of a man in hiding when he's offered a silver watch. His father discovers this betrayal and kills him.

What is this story called and who wrote it? I am ashamed to say that I did study literature in undergrad and I'll receive my MLIS in May. I am sufficiently mortified by my lack of Google/literary-database-fu.

Thanks in advance!

posted by Isingthebodyelectric to writing & language (5 comments total)

I'm afraid I don't know but you may want to check out the works of Guy de Maupassant, as he is one of the few French authors I have ever read properly and the conceit of this story sounds remarkably de Maupassant-ish.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:30 PM on January 29

Actually, it's Prosper Merimee.
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:38 PM on January 29

(Classic Short Stories should be in everybody's bookmarks btw)
posted by turgid dahlia at 7:39 PM on January 29 [3 favorites]

Thanks, turgid dahlia! I am bookmarking it this very moment.
posted by Isingthebodyelectric at 7:58 PM on January 29

Amazing site turgid, much appreciated.
posted by scarello at 9:29 AM on January 30