Sequel to a Divorce

A World Literature class is one of the most interesting classes you will take in your college years. You will read stories written by authors all over the world. There are fictitious and realistic stories, and then there are stories that are actually seen as a way of life for some people. Some stories I enjoyed, while others had me wondering if the writer was demented or if there was an actual point to it. "Sequel to a Divorce" is a story we were asked to read. Author Guy de Maupassant writes it and it is one of the least interesting I have read this semester. This is one of those stories where I did not see a point.

In "Sequel to a Divorce, Maupassant writes of an unhappy wife who wants a divorce from her wealthy husband. He starts off with the woman speaking with a lawyer who agrees to take her case. He continues with the divorce actually taking place then both man and woman are miserable and end up reuniting in later years.

I found this story to be boring because this is so typical of every day life. Who wants to read of a selfish woman and a lovesick man? Too common. But really, there are many stories with happy endings, which are okay sometimes, I like to read stories with a twist. I enjoy reading stories that have you saying, "Hmm," in the end. Although this story did have me saying, "Hmm," it was because I was disappointed with the ending. I expected something a little more original. I felt that if someone is selfish and commits a greedy act, then they should get what they deserve. So having this wife end up with the wealthy husband in the end, is not and ending I was looking forward to.

Maupassant is a captivating author who has written some fantastic stories including one of my favorites titled "The Hand." This story does not impress me at all. In my opinion, it lacked an interesting ending. I guess that is why they call Maupassant a realistic writer. I have enjoyed many of his stories and will continue to do so. This is just one of those stories that I read because I had to.