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The Coup de Grace
Cuento "El golpe de gracia" ("The Coup de Grace").
8 pages, Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1889
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Bierce
2,449 books1,313 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
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 18, 2021
Brutal short story about a civil war officer dealing with a horror of war. Excellently done.
July 18, 2021
A story about the horror in war.
October 8, 2024
Meh.
It was ok, but not worth reviewing.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
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PERSONAL NOTE :
[1889] [10p] [Historical] [Not Recommendable]
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★★★★☆ The Damned Thing.
★★★★☆ An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. [3.5]
★★★☆☆ Un Habitante de Carcosa y otros Relatos de Terror.
★★★☆☆ Civil War Stories. <-- [2.5]
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Meh.
Estuvo ok, pero no vale la pena reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
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NOTA PERSONAL :
[1889] [10p] [Histórico] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
It was ok, but not worth reviewing.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1889] [10p] [Historical] [Not Recommendable]
-----------------------------------------------
★★★★☆ The Damned Thing.
★★★★☆ An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge. [3.5]
★★★☆☆ Un Habitante de Carcosa y otros Relatos de Terror.
★★★☆☆ Civil War Stories. <-- [2.5]
-----------------------------------------------
Meh.
Estuvo ok, pero no vale la pena reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1889] [10p] [Histórico] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
March 15, 2016
I arranged my thoughts into a haiku:
"Grief's root is in love,
Stilling one's hand from what's right,
But...not long enough."
"Grief's root is in love,
Stilling one's hand from what's right,
But...not long enough."
February 2, 2020
Gran historia que se habrá replicado mil veces en mil campos de batallas. Relato duro, brutal con un toque de humor... "Debe admitirse que la victoria es una indudable ventaja para un hombre que necesita atención médica, pero muchos no viven para sacarle partido." Tranquilamente podría ser un relato verídico.
Vemos en el relato la naturaleza entremezclada entre la locura humana, atardeceres, sol colorido, caballos, cerdos... Como si Bierce buscara mostrarnos que el universo natural trata de seguir su curso a pesar nuestro, mientras nos sumimos en guerras y los rencores de círculo vicioso que se desprenden de ellas.
https://www.amazon.com/G-G-Melies/e/B...
Vemos en el relato la naturaleza entremezclada entre la locura humana, atardeceres, sol colorido, caballos, cerdos... Como si Bierce buscara mostrarnos que el universo natural trata de seguir su curso a pesar nuestro, mientras nos sumimos en guerras y los rencores de círculo vicioso que se desprenden de ellas.
https://www.amazon.com/G-G-Melies/e/B...
January 2, 2022
The short story “The Coup de Grace” by Ambrose Bierce is difficult to read. It is written well, but it is an uncomfortable read. The plot and actions there are terrible and very unpleasant.
The meaning of "coup de grâce" (french) is a final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal.
The narration includes a detailed scene of human agony and the moral torment of another person. One, turned into a massive pain, having lost his mind, the other has no way to make a choice.
The story is very realistic, brutal and cynically harsh as war truly is.
This is a link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author...
The meaning of "coup de grâce" (french) is a final blow or shot given to kill a wounded person or animal.
The narration includes a detailed scene of human agony and the moral torment of another person. One, turned into a massive pain, having lost his mind, the other has no way to make a choice.
The story is very realistic, brutal and cynically harsh as war truly is.
This is a link to the text of the story:
https://americanliterature.com/author...
July 2, 2020
La desesperanza y la apatía recorre todo el ambiente. La sangre brota y la herida nunca se cierra. Excelente cuento. Impresiona la precisión y el encanto ante semejante escena, lamentablemente se repitió una y otra vez tanto en el combate bélico como en otros lugares.
February 11, 2024
I had to read this in school and was a good ch ice because this book seems like it was made to be read and discussed. The amount of different interpretations possible In this 4 page long book is astounding and it led to some great conversations. Not bad for a 4 page long book.
June 4, 2020
Short. I like it.
January 6, 2022
Boring, but with a good end
May 31, 2023
A brutal and vivid tale of civil war tragedy.
November 18, 2023
One of my favorite short stories of all time. Brutal and vivid.
July 16, 2025
Ambrose Bierce, a master of concise storytelling, knows how to deliver an emotionally resonant narrative.
October 22, 2016
Menciones (relevantes) a eventos: Guerra civil estadounidense (1861-65).
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews