I've always been a fan of short stories that leave a mark, and this collection by Guy de Maupassant is full of them. Translated into Finnish as 'Hätähuuto y.m. kertomuksia' ('The Cry for Help and Other Stories'), it gathers some of his most unsettling and brilliant work.

The Story

The book is a collection of separate tales, but the title story sets the tone. In 'The Cry for Help,' a man is jolted awake by a piercing, agonized scream. He's certain it was human, a final, desperate shout. But when he investigates, there's nothing—no commotion, no police, his neighbors heard nothing. The story follows his obsession with that single sound. He questions his sanity, pores over newspapers for reports of a crime, and finds his whole world tinted by that moment of unknown terror. The other stories follow similar paths: they take a simple, everyday situation—a boating trip, a social gathering, a walk in the country—and twist it, revealing jealousy, cruelty, madness, or chilling coincidence lurking just beneath the surface.

Why You Should Read It

What amazed me was how modern these stories feel. Maupassant doesn't need elaborate plots or special effects. His power is in observation and psychological truth. He shows how fragile our peace of mind really is. In 'The Cry for Help,' the real horror isn't a murderer; it's the protagonist's own crumbling certainty. Was it a dream? A crime? The not-knowing eats away at him more than any known danger could. I found myself completely drawn into his paranoia. Maupassant has this clean, direct way of writing that pulls you in quickly. There's no fluff. Every sentence serves the mood, whether it's building tension or delivering a final, shocking revelation. You finish each story and just sit with it for a minute.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for anyone who loves a psychological thrill. If you're a fan of writers like Shirley Jackson or modern 'quiet horror,' you'll see Maupassant as a clear ancestor. It's also great for people who think they don't like 'old' literature—this is anything but dusty. The stories are short, so it's easy to dip in and out, but I warn you, you'll likely read more than one at a time. Just maybe don't read 'The Cry for Help' right before bed if you're home alone.