Droll Stories, written by Honoré de Balzac, is a collection of short stories. The book is made up of over fifty tales, most of which are set in sixteenth-century France and feature a cast of colorful characters. The stories in Droll Stories are often bawdy and satirical, with a focus on the absurd and the grotesque. They are filled with sexual innuendo and humor, as well as commentary on social and political issues of the time. Many of the stories feature characters from all walks of life, including peasants, nobles, and clergy, and often mock the conventions of their respective social classes. Despite the often vulgar and irreverent subject matter, Droll Stories is a significant work of literature that has been praised for its insight into human nature and its use of satire to critique societal norms. It remains a popular and influential collection of short stories and is often studied by scholars and students of literature.