Apes and Angels

"Apes and Angels" by Richard Edward Connell is a collection of light tragedies written in the early 20th century. The stories delve into themes of love, friendship, and the complexities of human nature through whimsical narratives and colorful characters. The opening story, "A Friend of Napoleon," introduces readers to Papa Chibou, a night watchman at the Museum Pratoucy in Paris, who shares an unconventional friendship with a wax figure of Napoleon. At the start of "A Friend of Napoleon," we meet Papa Chibou, a cheerful and dedicated night watchman who treats the wax figures in the museum as friends. His conversations with them, particularly his friendship with the figure of Napoleon, highlight both the absurdity and poignancy of his lonely existence. As Papa Chibou observes the lives and loves of the museum visitors, he becomes deeply invested in the unfolding romance between an American girl and a young Frenchman, vowing to help them find happiness. However, as the museum faces closure and potential destruction of its exhibits, including Napoleon, Papa Chibou's loyalty to his wax companion drives him to desperate measures that culminate in action that puts him at odds with the law. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Richard Edward Connell Jr. was an American author and journalist. He is most notable for his short story "The Most Dangerous Game" (1924). Connell was one of the most popular American short story writers of his time. His stories were published in The Saturday Evening Post and Collier's magazines. He had equal success as a journalist and screenwriter, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 1942 for the movie Meet John Doe (1941), directed by Frank Capra and based on his 1922 short story "A Reputation".