The magic couch

Our narrator sits and relishes the natural beauty of a river, contemplating how painful suicide must be. He dreams of a world in which a special device allows people to end their days peacefully, painlessly, and quickly. This imaginative, compelling musing on such an ever-present issue is a must-read for fans of Anton Chekhov. Guy de Maupassant (1850-1893) was a French writer. Famed for being a master of the short story, he also wrote travel books and occasionally dabbled in poetry. His stories mainly focus on the relationships between men and women sitting at crossroads in their lives - whether personal or professional. His dramatic flair is largely influenced by French novelist Gustave Flaubert and is perfect for fans of Anton Chekhov's short stories. The most notable of the 300 short stories that he wrote include 'Bel Ami', 'Une Vie', and 'The Dumpling'.