What do you think?
Rate this book
The Mockingbird
We have all experienced it. A scene, a smell, a sound, or a song will carry us back to another time, another place, and to memories pleasant or unpleasant. For Private Grayrock of the Federal Army in the fall of 1861, the trigger is a mockingbird.
Read more
Read more
- GenresShort Stories
Audible Audio
5 people are currently reading
57 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
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 22, 2017
This was a very creepy story.
December 31, 2015
Heartbreaking story of a man's fatal mistake as a Union sentinel in the American Civil War. The story begins with the sentinel Private William Grayrock deep in thought the morning after being commended for his bravery in not abandoning his post at night like his other sentinels. However, William knows this is not true and heads out the next day to look for the enemy he killed.
October 8, 2024
Good.
This was good, but not going to review it.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1888] [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]
-----------------------------------------------
Bueno.
Esto estuvo bien, pero no voy a reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1888] [10p] [Histórico] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
This was good, but not going to review it.
For the moment at least.
It’s public domain. You can find it HERE.
-----------------------------------------------
PERSONAL NOTE :
[1888] [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]
-----------------------------------------------
Bueno.
Esto estuvo bien, pero no voy a reseñarlo.
Al menos por ahora.
Es dominio público, lo pueden encontrar ACA.
-----------------------------------------------
NOTA PERSONAL :
[1888] [10p] [Histórico] [No Recomendable]
-----------------------------------------------
April 19, 2023
Poetic and poignant story about twin brothers at Shiloh in the fall of 1861 - Private William Grayrock of the Federal Army and his brother, John Grayrock, a Confederate soldier.
William gets disorientated on night sentinel duty and the situation is compounded by the sound of someone walking towards him on the leave and snapping twigs.
William fires his rifle but because he is unable to retreat in the right direction he is mistakenly commended for his bravery by the officer of the guard and his fellow comrades:
"I did not retreat in the general alarm because bewildered."
William wants to clarify the circumstances of his night's duty for his own sense of duty and peace of mind.
He returns to the night spot and wonders around looking to see if he had actually killed anyone that night.
While he is there he thinks dreamily about his childhood friendship with his brother and their attachment to their most precious possession- a mockingbird.
The story juxtaposes the harsh realities of war with loving family relationships.
William gets disorientated on night sentinel duty and the situation is compounded by the sound of someone walking towards him on the leave and snapping twigs.
William fires his rifle but because he is unable to retreat in the right direction he is mistakenly commended for his bravery by the officer of the guard and his fellow comrades:
"I did not retreat in the general alarm because bewildered."
William wants to clarify the circumstances of his night's duty for his own sense of duty and peace of mind.
He returns to the night spot and wonders around looking to see if he had actually killed anyone that night.
While he is there he thinks dreamily about his childhood friendship with his brother and their attachment to their most precious possession- a mockingbird.
The story juxtaposes the harsh realities of war with loving family relationships.
May 20, 2017
What a story!
I finished it then immediately reread it. Bierce.....a genius....
I finished it then immediately reread it. Bierce.....a genius....
January 30, 2019
Interesting story with a twist. Read it as it is pretty short. 3 stars.
April 22, 2021
A civil war mallegory.
May 19, 2021
Completely gutting ending that truly amplifies the personal devastation the Civil War wrought for so many.
July 12, 2022
A little bit too much with the dream sequence, but otherwise another great tale that throws you at the end.
November 7, 2022
An awesome book- love everything about this book
Read
December 24, 2024nnmnm n
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews