What do you think?
Rate this book
The Realm of the Unreal and Other Stories
(from publisher's website)
'Early one June morning in 1872 I murdered my father – an act which made a deep impression on me at the time' AN IMPERFECT CONFLAGRATION
Ambrose Bierce, author of the mordantly witty satire The Devil’s Dictionary – a long established Folio favourite – was also one of the most talented short-story writers of his day, renowned for his blackly comic fantasies. This collection, introduced by novelist Will Self, is the ideal way to enjoy his gripping tales. Bierce’s fascination with the surreal made him a brilliant writer of ghost and horror stories, as shown in the title story of this collection which features an unnerving encounter with the mysterious hypnotist Dr Dorrimore. In the eerie ‘The Man and the Snake’, a man is hypnotised and killed by an enormous serpent – which turns out to be only a stuffed toy.
‘He will remain one of our greatest wits, one of our most uncompromising satirists’
CLIFTON FADIMAN
Bierce fought in the Civil War and his experiences left him with an indelible sense of the horror of conflict, evident in his most famous story, ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’, about a Confederate sympathiser captured by Union soldiers, which has an inimitable twist in its tail. The Civil War also forms the backdrop of ‘Killed at Resaca’, in which a young woman’s exhortation to courage has tragic consequences. This wonderful collection of more than 90 stories spans Bierce’s long and enterprising career, from his time as a journalist in San Francisco to his final foray into revolutionary Mexico in 1913 – a last adventure from which he never returned.
‘Bierce, the chastiser of obtuseness, sentiment, greed, and malice … is a valued companion’
M. A. SCHAFFNER
=============
Bound in buckram.
568 pages; frontispiece and 10 black & white etchings by Nathan Sissons.
Size: 9½" × 6¼".
'Early one June morning in 1872 I murdered my father – an act which made a deep impression on me at the time' AN IMPERFECT CONFLAGRATION
Ambrose Bierce, author of the mordantly witty satire The Devil’s Dictionary – a long established Folio favourite – was also one of the most talented short-story writers of his day, renowned for his blackly comic fantasies. This collection, introduced by novelist Will Self, is the ideal way to enjoy his gripping tales. Bierce’s fascination with the surreal made him a brilliant writer of ghost and horror stories, as shown in the title story of this collection which features an unnerving encounter with the mysterious hypnotist Dr Dorrimore. In the eerie ‘The Man and the Snake’, a man is hypnotised and killed by an enormous serpent – which turns out to be only a stuffed toy.
‘He will remain one of our greatest wits, one of our most uncompromising satirists’
CLIFTON FADIMAN
Bierce fought in the Civil War and his experiences left him with an indelible sense of the horror of conflict, evident in his most famous story, ‘An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge’, about a Confederate sympathiser captured by Union soldiers, which has an inimitable twist in its tail. The Civil War also forms the backdrop of ‘Killed at Resaca’, in which a young woman’s exhortation to courage has tragic consequences. This wonderful collection of more than 90 stories spans Bierce’s long and enterprising career, from his time as a journalist in San Francisco to his final foray into revolutionary Mexico in 1913 – a last adventure from which he never returned.
‘Bierce, the chastiser of obtuseness, sentiment, greed, and malice … is a valued companion’
M. A. SCHAFFNER
=============
Bound in buckram.
568 pages; frontispiece and 10 black & white etchings by Nathan Sissons.
Size: 9½" × 6¼".
568 pages, Hardcover
First published July 20, 1890
2 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Bierce
2,357 books1,284 followersdied perhaps 1914
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.
People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."
People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.
Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.
Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.
Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"
Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.
People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.
The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."
People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.
Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.
Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.
Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 25, 2020
3.5*
"Aquel lugar era una vergüenza para los vivos, una calumnia sobre los muertos y una blasfemia contra Dios"
"la presencia de aquel hombre a mi lado me resultaba singularmente desagradable e inquietante; tanto que, cuando por fin detuve el carro bajo el anuncio luminoso del Hotel, experimenté la sensación de haber escapado a algún peligro espiritual de naturaleza especialmente funesta.
Esa sensación de alivio se vio modificada al descubrir que el doctor Dorrimore también se alojaba en el mismo hotel"
Mr. Manrich viajaba en su carreta desde Newcastle camino a Auburn, Poco antes de llegar se sorprende de encontrarse a una persona en el medio de la carretera, en el medio de la nada. Se le hiela la sangre al reconocer a esta persona, es el Doctor Dorrimore de Calcuta, quien le presentaron cinco años antes. Comienza a recordar los acontecimientos de aquel anterior encuentro, en el que sucedieron varias cosas extrañas y que sembraron en el la duda de cuales sucesos eran reales y cuales no. En definitiva Dorrimore no es un doctor como tal e indudablemente no es la persona indicada a la quisiera volver a encontrar.
Es un relato muy sencillo. Lo interesante es el juego con la realidad y lo delgada que se presenta la barrera entre lo real, lo irreal y lo subjetivo
"Aquel lugar era una vergüenza para los vivos, una calumnia sobre los muertos y una blasfemia contra Dios"
"la presencia de aquel hombre a mi lado me resultaba singularmente desagradable e inquietante; tanto que, cuando por fin detuve el carro bajo el anuncio luminoso del Hotel, experimenté la sensación de haber escapado a algún peligro espiritual de naturaleza especialmente funesta.
Esa sensación de alivio se vio modificada al descubrir que el doctor Dorrimore también se alojaba en el mismo hotel"
Mr. Manrich viajaba en su carreta desde Newcastle camino a Auburn, Poco antes de llegar se sorprende de encontrarse a una persona en el medio de la carretera, en el medio de la nada. Se le hiela la sangre al reconocer a esta persona, es el Doctor Dorrimore de Calcuta, quien le presentaron cinco años antes. Comienza a recordar los acontecimientos de aquel anterior encuentro, en el que sucedieron varias cosas extrañas y que sembraron en el la duda de cuales sucesos eran reales y cuales no. En definitiva Dorrimore no es un doctor como tal e indudablemente no es la persona indicada a la quisiera volver a encontrar.
Es un relato muy sencillo. Lo interesante es el juego con la realidad y lo delgada que se presenta la barrera entre lo real, lo irreal y lo subjetivo
May 1, 2023
This is a truly comprehensive volume of Ambrose Bierce’s short stories – 534 pages in addition to the Introduction; it contains 91 stories in 10 sections. It took me over a year to read it because I like to read just a couple of stories at a time for maximum effect.
Generally speaking I really enjoyed this book, though the last 100 pages were full of stories that were a bit silly or ‘sick’ in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way, so they were not so great. What I loved most of all were the stories about the American Civil War, and because Bierce wrote all of the stories between 1871 and 1909 they had a ring of authenticity and additional interest. The ACW stories gave details of the daily lives of the soldiers 'in the field' and their attitudes, which were only incidental to the stories but which made them more enjoyable.
Most of the stories feature ghosts, strange happenings and disappearances. Some of them are very similar but as Bierce was a journalist I guess he published them in a newspaper over a long period of time, so he can be forgiven. He certainly had a vivid imagination, and was a good writer. This is a particularly good book if you get snowed in because there is plenty here to keep you amused for a long time.
Generally speaking I really enjoyed this book, though the last 100 pages were full of stories that were a bit silly or ‘sick’ in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way, so they were not so great. What I loved most of all were the stories about the American Civil War, and because Bierce wrote all of the stories between 1871 and 1909 they had a ring of authenticity and additional interest. The ACW stories gave details of the daily lives of the soldiers 'in the field' and their attitudes, which were only incidental to the stories but which made them more enjoyable.
Most of the stories feature ghosts, strange happenings and disappearances. Some of them are very similar but as Bierce was a journalist I guess he published them in a newspaper over a long period of time, so he can be forgiven. He certainly had a vivid imagination, and was a good writer. This is a particularly good book if you get snowed in because there is plenty here to keep you amused for a long time.
August 23, 2020
Dr. Dorrimore, a hypnotist who has acquired his skills from India tries to experiment with Mr. Manrich. During the experiment Mr. Manrich started believing that whatever he was watching is all true, but the truth is revealed at a much later stage.
Not a usual Ambrose Bierce's horror story, but a really captivating one. I would really recommend to read the story.
For more book recommendations, please visit www.bibliophileverse.com
Not a usual Ambrose Bierce's horror story, but a really captivating one. I would really recommend to read the story.
For more book recommendations, please visit www.bibliophileverse.com
December 1, 2021
I am afraid I did not manage to really get into this book, the Folio is a beautiful edition but despite that I found the writing a little too lumpen for me, it was too much like trying to read a Dickens etc. It is not for me and I have passed the book on to a good home.
May 23, 2018
There is a famous quote from Kant that says "was not the mind that created the brain?"
This is a tale that the mind can play with consciousness - what actually happens to us easily, for example in an optical illusion, during a deja-vu or when a simple noise sounds like a terrifying cry.
Even more intriguing from to perceive that our own consciousness could be pointed from the mercy of hidden desires of the mind, its when this kind of process occurs by the power of another person, for example a hypnotist - and we realize that our own consciousness could be a mere puppet of someone for an indefinite time.
This is a tale that the mind can play with consciousness - what actually happens to us easily, for example in an optical illusion, during a deja-vu or when a simple noise sounds like a terrifying cry.
Even more intriguing from to perceive that our own consciousness could be pointed from the mercy of hidden desires of the mind, its when this kind of process occurs by the power of another person, for example a hypnotist - and we realize that our own consciousness could be a mere puppet of someone for an indefinite time.
August 21, 2014
Really loved it ........ Classic Ambrose Bierce !!!!
September 30, 2021
A strange case of mesmerism performed by an Indian doctor upon an unsuspecting acquaintance. Engaging. Audible edition narrated by Anthony Heald. This can be found in Can Such Things Be?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews