The index opens with a full alphabetical listing of every story in Maupassant's thirteen volumes, immediately revealing the scope of the collection. The contents page shows that each volume groups stories under a Roman numeral, and the index itself is preceded by a study of the author by Pol. Neveux. The presence of multiple translators—A. E. Henderson, Albert Cohn McMaster, and Louise Charlotte Garstin Quesada—indicates that the English versions were produced by different hands, which may affect the tone and style of individual tales.

Alphabetical Index as a Finding Aid

The alphabetical index, which forms the core of this volume, allows a reader to locate any story quickly without scanning the thirteen separate tables of contents. For instance, “Boule de Suif” appears first, followed by “Two Friends,” “The Lancer's Wife,” and so on. This arrangement is particularly useful for readers who remember a story's title but not its volume. The index also includes the volume number for each entry, so one can see at a glance that “The Diamond Necklace” belongs to Volume IV and “The False Gems” to Volume VII.

Volume-by-Volume Contents

Following the alphabetical list, the volume-by-volume contents provide a different perspective. Each volume's table of contents is reproduced in full, preserving the original ordering of stories as Maupassant or his publishers arranged them. For example, Volume I leads with “Boule de Suif” and ends with “A Duel,” while Volume II opens with “The Colonel's Ideas” and closes with “Beside Schopenhauer's Corpse.” This arrangement lets a reader experience the collection in its intended sequence, which may reveal thematic or tonal groupings that the alphabetical index obscures.

Translator Credits and Their Implications

The title page credits four translators: A. E. Henderson, Albert Cohn McMaster, Louise Charlotte Garstin Quesada, and “Others.” The volume-by-volume contents do not specify which translator worked on which story, but the alphabetical index may offer clues. For instance, the presence of multiple translators suggests that the English style may vary from story to story. Readers who notice differences in diction or sentence rhythm might compare stories from different volumes to see if a particular translator's hand is detectable. The editor, David Widger, is also credited, indicating that this digital edition was compiled from existing translations.

Prefatory Study by Pol. Neveux

The index includes a study of Maupassant by Pol. Neveux, placed before the alphabetical list. This essay likely provides biographical and critical context, though the excerpts do not reveal its content. Readers new to Maupassant may find it helpful to read this study first, as it could illuminate recurring themes or the author's development. However, the index itself does not depend on the essay; it functions as a standalone reference tool. The study's placement at the front suggests it is meant to orient the reader before diving into the stories.

This index is best used as a companion while reading the stories themselves. Whether you begin with the alphabetical list to find a specific tale or browse the volume contents to discover new ones, the structure supports both targeted and exploratory reading. The multiple translators and the prefatory study add layers that reward attention but do not distract from the primary purpose: helping you navigate Maupassant's complete short fiction.