Can Such Things Be?: A Collection of Short Stories
A collection of dark short stories by satirist Ambrose Bierce featuring impossible events.
Ambrose Bierce presents a collection of tales defined by dark imagery and abrupt beginnings. His distinctive style embraces vague references to time and limited descriptions, creating an atmosphere where impossible events unfold with chilling clarity. The author, known for his sardonic view of human nature and the motto Nothing matters, brings a unique perspective shaped by his career as an editorialist and journalist. Readers seeking stories that blend the supernatural with a searing critique of existence will find this volume compelling. Those preferring lighthearted entertainment or traditional narrative arcs may find the tone too stark. The collection includes works such as An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, which showcases Bierce’s ability to merge war themes with psychological tension. His reputation as Bitter Bierce stems from his vehemence as a critic and his satirical lexicon, The Devil's Dictionary. This compilation draws on traditions of American gothic fiction and fabulism. It appeals to fans of W. C. Morrow, George Sterling, and Herman George Scheffauer, who were encouraged by Bierce’s mentorship. The book suits readers interested in the intersection of journalism and horror. It does not suit those seeking optimistic resolutions or gentle pacing.
Bierce wrote during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, emerging from American journalism into literary satire. His work reflects the transition from realist reporting to modernist experimentation. He operated within a circle of poets and fiction writers who valued his critical insight. His disappearance in Mexico adds a layer of mystery to his legacy as a chronicler of dark truths.
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Readers who appreciate the intersection of journalism and horror will find this volume compelling, as it blends supernatural elements with a searing critique of existence. Bierce’s distinctive style, characterized by dark imagery and abrupt beginnings, creates an atmosphere where impossible events unfold with chilling clarity. Those interested in satirical lexicons and the sardonic view of human nature inherent in works like The Devil's Dictionary will gain insight into the 'Bitter Bierce' persona. This book is ideal for those seeking stories that merge war themes with psychological tension rather than lighthearted entertainment. It offers a unique perspective shaped by limited descriptions and vague temporal references, appealing to fans of American gothic fiction who desire stark, uncompromising narratives.
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Ambrose Bierce delivers a collection defined by dark imagery and abrupt beginnings, creating an atmosphere where impossible events unfold with chilling clarity. His distinctive style embraces vague references to time and limited descriptions, resulting in tales that blend the supernatural with a searing critique of existence. This volume appeals strongly to fans of W. C. Morrow, George Sterling, and Herman George Scheffauer, reflecting Bierce’s influence on these contemporaries. The book suits readers interested in the intersection of journalism and horror, offering works like An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge that merge war themes with psychological tension. However, it does not suit those seeking optimistic resolutions or gentle pacing. For readers who prefer lighthearted entertainment or traditional narrative arcs, the tone may prove too stark, but it remains a compelling study of human nature through a sardonic lens.
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