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An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
Six evocative stories of mystery and coincidence
*An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
*Beyond the Wall
*An Adventure at Brownville
*The Damned Thing
*One of the Missing
*The Stranger
*An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
*Beyond the Wall
*An Adventure at Brownville
*The Damned Thing
*One of the Missing
*The Stranger
84 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 1995
About the author
Ambrose Bierce
2,477 books1,326 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!"
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 23, 2025
Civil War. Alabama. A 35-year-old man, a confederate sympathizer, hears that the Yankees are gonna cross over the owl Creek Bridge so he decides that he’s going to burn down the bridge, but he gets caught. The next scene has him being hanged on the Owl Creek Bridge. A rope is around his neck, and his hands are tied. He begins thinking that he can get out of the noose and drop down into the river, and then he can swim home to his wife. I then bought the study guide, because Ashley, this was a very short read for my reading class, and I figured I could learn more from the study guide. I did not learn much. What I found was that they were using good old Freud‘s theories when analyzing this book. I don’t think you can learn anything from Freud! But, here we have them analyzing What actually happened or what the man wanted to happen. It was said that instead of desiring to go home to his wife he really wanted to enter or re-enter his mother‘s womb. And the noose represented the umbilical cord. Well, no one knows what it’s like to be in the womb, and why would you wanna go back there? I say, he wanted to go back to his wife, and that for a lot of reasons.
March 4, 2016
So how do I describe one of the Penguins 60s on an author who is a pillar of American literature - very carefully I would think.
I will not say too much of Ambrose Bierce since I am sure there are whole books dedicated to him and his life (and disappearance) but I will say that his Devil's Dictionary is a marvel and still love flicking through it even now which considering when it was written makes it all the more amazing.
Well An occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is quite a strange book - not by its content but by how many other authors it reminds me of as I read it - now that is not a bad thing, I would say that it would be so easy to say hmm they all have been done before - well no they have not, He did it first and everyone else followed.
Let me explain the story Beyond the wall just reminded me so much of Poe but the tone and the voice were totally different and yet I could not shake Poe's shadow as the story commenced with the back drop of a terrible storm and so it got me thinking. How many other similarities were there, which invariably made me realise how influential Mr Bierce was and still is today.
I will admit I have read only a fraction of the Penguin series but I must say that their choices are certainly fascinating and inspiring.
I will not say too much of Ambrose Bierce since I am sure there are whole books dedicated to him and his life (and disappearance) but I will say that his Devil's Dictionary is a marvel and still love flicking through it even now which considering when it was written makes it all the more amazing.
Well An occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is quite a strange book - not by its content but by how many other authors it reminds me of as I read it - now that is not a bad thing, I would say that it would be so easy to say hmm they all have been done before - well no they have not, He did it first and everyone else followed.
Let me explain the story Beyond the wall just reminded me so much of Poe but the tone and the voice were totally different and yet I could not shake Poe's shadow as the story commenced with the back drop of a terrible storm and so it got me thinking. How many other similarities were there, which invariably made me realise how influential Mr Bierce was and still is today.
I will admit I have read only a fraction of the Penguin series but I must say that their choices are certainly fascinating and inspiring.
September 6, 2015
It seems the Penguin 60s edition contains a different set of 'AND OTHER STORIES' than the other editions, and therefore should probably be separated, but I have run out of librarian energy.
The stories here are:
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge - 4*
Beyond the Wall - 4*
An Adventure at Brownville - 3*
The Damned Thing - 3*
One of the Missing - 2*
The Stranger - 2*
So an average 3* from me.
They are all supernatural or ghost stories of some description, readable enough without setting the world on fire.
The stories here are:
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge - 4*
Beyond the Wall - 4*
An Adventure at Brownville - 3*
The Damned Thing - 3*
One of the Missing - 2*
The Stranger - 2*
So an average 3* from me.
They are all supernatural or ghost stories of some description, readable enough without setting the world on fire.
April 27, 2020
I generally not a big fan of horror/gothic short stories and this proved my opinion. I read it for my bookclub’s topic of “Short Stories” and I likes widening my horizon. Two stories actually caught my attention: An Occurence at Owl Creek Bridge and The Stranger but the rest didn’t tickle my fancy. But for fans of horror/historical fiction short stories I have no doubt this would be a good read.
February 28, 2021
O primeiro conto “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” foi publicado em 1890 e foi um dos meus preferidos. Narrado na altura da Guerra civil americana, decorre no Alabama onde acompanhamos o enforcamento de Peyton Farquhar, um homem que lutava pelos confederados e que descreve, de uma forma algo fria (refletindo – pressuponho – a mentalidade de um povo sujeito à crueldade da guerra na altura) todos os momentos do seu enforcamento. O curioso é que ele pensa que escapa (e nós acompanhamos todos esses momentos). Realidade ou ilusão da mente? É o que descobrimos apenas no final, de uma forma abrupta e inesperada! Um conto que nos faz pensar na facilidade com que enforcavam alguém naquela altura e no valor da vida humana, numa época de Guerra Civil! Apesar de ser um conto muito pequeno, é uma leitura que nos faz refletir, sem dúvida!
Opinião completa aqui: https://momentosdemagia.wordpress.com...
Opinião completa aqui: https://momentosdemagia.wordpress.com...
August 24, 2025
Five fun and interesting short stories. I prefer the gothic contingent of the collection – Beyond the Wall, An Adventure at Brownville and The Damned Thing – but they all have a distinct spooky energy of their era. The style is a bit overwritten in places but I think that speaks to the era once again. Beyond the Wall is camp gothic which I love though. You can see how these stories inspired another generation of spooky and sinister tales. Dahl, I’m looking at you!
April 3, 2018
A very Good short story I added to my personal anthology. There is a lot of good literary devices used and the actual story was interesting. I enjoyed seeing how it developed. I liked much of the symbolism in the story.
July 17, 2025
Happy to pick up this lovely little penguin 60's pocket sized book for 50p. Ambrose Bierce is easily one of my favorite authors, especially his horror literature which is compelling as it is immersive. What I love about authors such as Algernon Blackwood and Ambrose Bierce is that they leave much to the imagination after planting the seed of dread which many 18th century writers did in flawless fashion as opposed to authors of today. The majority of collected stories in this edition have that foreboding sense of dread laying dormant beneath the layers and most of the shorts here I enjoyed which are as always listed below, although listed all as there were only 6 in the collection.
1) Feature story- An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge- Originally published in 1890 is masterful in it's telling and execution from the start. Ambrose Bierce an American civil war veteran witnessed a lot when serving, and this exceptional haunting tale of Peyton Farquhar, who is about to be hanged in detailed and immediate fashion highlights many of Bierces experiences in that war. The story has a visceral flashback and climactic conclusion that blurs the line between life and death. Superb stuff by one of the greats.
2) beyond the Wall- Originally published in 1907 is one of Ambrose's supernatural tales of terror and a damn fine one to boot. The narrator of the short tale visits his strange friend in San Francisco. Both have dinner up in the tower within the house and as they are eating, there is a constant knocking on the wall that disturbs the narrator.
3) An Adventure at Brownville- Originally published in 1892 and also many must remember that this story was written in collaboration with Miss Ina Lillian Peterson, to whom is rightly due the credit for whatever merit it may have. The story begins with the narrator explaining his residence in Brownville, a vacation spot but one of the last resort. The narrator teaches at the school in Brownville and regularly encounters visitors. While walking a path within the woods one day, he hears a man and a woman talking and the woman saying that she believes the man will kill her.
4) The Damned Thing- Originally published in 1893 is one of Bierce's most notable works and rightfully so. Without question my personal favorite of the collection and one of my most favorite horror tales ever written. This was way ahead of it's time and most certainly inspired many mystery/horror writers to come thereafter including H.P. Lovecraft. The story captures the true essence of the unknown with the natural world woven in beautifully and follows a freak fatal accident that is written off as a wild animal attack albeit, the signs of such a claim simply don't exist, which leads to something of indescribable and unfamiliar nature becoming apparent and seemingly responsible for the kill. Some things are just beyond any realm of human understanding and (The Damned Thing) is a perfect example. Atmospheric, foreboding and slowly creeps in. Phenomenal stuff by Ambrose Bierce at the very top of his game.
5) One of the Missing- Originally published in 1888, was my least favorite of the collection. A survival war story most likely from his personal experiences within the American civil war. An orderly for the Union Army undertakes a scouting mission. Preparing to fire on a retreating army. The structure in which he is hiding is suddenly destroyed by cannon fire. When he comes to, he realizes he is completely pinned under the rubble. Strongly written just didn't do much for me.
6) The Stranger- Originally published in 1893 and one which rounded off the little penguin paperback nicely. A group of travelers are sitting around the campfire in a remote part of an Arizona desert, when a stranger introduces himself and recounts a very bizarre story. As the stranger finishes the story and gets ready to leave, it becomes apparent that it's more than just a tall camp fire tale with a predictable yet satisfying supernatural conclusion.
In all this is a real solid little collection of shorts from a true literary legend, a story teller of old and a story teller unmatched. I read this in a few hours so if you see this little penguin 60's pocketbook edition out there and like surrealism and supernatural delight then do yourself a favor and pick it up. (The Damned Thing) is worth it alone.
1) Feature story- An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge- Originally published in 1890 is masterful in it's telling and execution from the start. Ambrose Bierce an American civil war veteran witnessed a lot when serving, and this exceptional haunting tale of Peyton Farquhar, who is about to be hanged in detailed and immediate fashion highlights many of Bierces experiences in that war. The story has a visceral flashback and climactic conclusion that blurs the line between life and death. Superb stuff by one of the greats.
2) beyond the Wall- Originally published in 1907 is one of Ambrose's supernatural tales of terror and a damn fine one to boot. The narrator of the short tale visits his strange friend in San Francisco. Both have dinner up in the tower within the house and as they are eating, there is a constant knocking on the wall that disturbs the narrator.
3) An Adventure at Brownville- Originally published in 1892 and also many must remember that this story was written in collaboration with Miss Ina Lillian Peterson, to whom is rightly due the credit for whatever merit it may have. The story begins with the narrator explaining his residence in Brownville, a vacation spot but one of the last resort. The narrator teaches at the school in Brownville and regularly encounters visitors. While walking a path within the woods one day, he hears a man and a woman talking and the woman saying that she believes the man will kill her.
4) The Damned Thing- Originally published in 1893 is one of Bierce's most notable works and rightfully so. Without question my personal favorite of the collection and one of my most favorite horror tales ever written. This was way ahead of it's time and most certainly inspired many mystery/horror writers to come thereafter including H.P. Lovecraft. The story captures the true essence of the unknown with the natural world woven in beautifully and follows a freak fatal accident that is written off as a wild animal attack albeit, the signs of such a claim simply don't exist, which leads to something of indescribable and unfamiliar nature becoming apparent and seemingly responsible for the kill. Some things are just beyond any realm of human understanding and (The Damned Thing) is a perfect example. Atmospheric, foreboding and slowly creeps in. Phenomenal stuff by Ambrose Bierce at the very top of his game.
5) One of the Missing- Originally published in 1888, was my least favorite of the collection. A survival war story most likely from his personal experiences within the American civil war. An orderly for the Union Army undertakes a scouting mission. Preparing to fire on a retreating army. The structure in which he is hiding is suddenly destroyed by cannon fire. When he comes to, he realizes he is completely pinned under the rubble. Strongly written just didn't do much for me.
6) The Stranger- Originally published in 1893 and one which rounded off the little penguin paperback nicely. A group of travelers are sitting around the campfire in a remote part of an Arizona desert, when a stranger introduces himself and recounts a very bizarre story. As the stranger finishes the story and gets ready to leave, it becomes apparent that it's more than just a tall camp fire tale with a predictable yet satisfying supernatural conclusion.
In all this is a real solid little collection of shorts from a true literary legend, a story teller of old and a story teller unmatched. I read this in a few hours so if you see this little penguin 60's pocketbook edition out there and like surrealism and supernatural delight then do yourself a favor and pick it up. (The Damned Thing) is worth it alone.
July 14, 2025
This tiny book is part of a range of books published by Penguin in 1995 to celebrate their 60th anniversary.
Ambrose Bierce, born in 1842, was an American short story writer and American Civil War veteran. In 1913, he travelled to Mexico and joined Pancho Villa's army as an observer during the Mexican Revolution. He was never seen again.
The book contains the following short stories:
An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge - a classic short story about a man who is about to be hanged from a bridge during the American Civil War 4/5.
Beyond The Wall - a mysterious knocking sound comes from an exterior wall 3/5.
An Adventure At Brownville - a man tries to prevent a murder 3/5.
The Damned Thing - my favourite story in the collection. A coroner tries to determine a man's cause of death (it's an invisible monster) 5/5.
One Of The Missing - a Civil War story about a soldier trapped under debris 4/5.
The Stranger - a ghost story set in the Arizona desert 3/5.
Ambrose Bierce, born in 1842, was an American short story writer and American Civil War veteran. In 1913, he travelled to Mexico and joined Pancho Villa's army as an observer during the Mexican Revolution. He was never seen again.
The book contains the following short stories:
An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge - a classic short story about a man who is about to be hanged from a bridge during the American Civil War 4/5.
Beyond The Wall - a mysterious knocking sound comes from an exterior wall 3/5.
An Adventure At Brownville - a man tries to prevent a murder 3/5.
The Damned Thing - my favourite story in the collection. A coroner tries to determine a man's cause of death (it's an invisible monster) 5/5.
One Of The Missing - a Civil War story about a soldier trapped under debris 4/5.
The Stranger - a ghost story set in the Arizona desert 3/5.
January 24, 2022
I only knew Ambrose Bierce through the hilarious tidbits of “The Devil's Dictionary” that I’ve read. So when I learned that he had written a short story that takes place in the second it takes a hanged man to die I was intrigued. That story gives the name to this collection and it was as good as I had heard it was. I was not prepared however to find horror stories of the caliber of H.P. Lovecraft (though I’m sure the influence runs in the other direction). I was quite impressed with every story in this short collection. Bierce has a perfect control over the speed and tone of the narrative he tells letting him play with the reader’s suspense in masterful way. I will definitely be reading more of him and wholeheartedly recommend this collection.
October 13, 2024
Six short and nicely written ghost stories. The endings were either mysterious or unhappy but didn’t feel heavy. Like the kind of thing you’d share around a campfire for spooky fun. The featured stories included a hanged man imagining his escape off a bridge, a mysterious knocking from the neighbours’ wall, a persuasive stranger, an invisible beast, a confederate soldier trapped in debris, and an unusual visitor to a campfire. I hadn’t heard of Bierce until I found this Penguin 60s at a market - they are usually great for sampling different authors.
September 5, 2021
3.5
•An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (5 stars).
•Beyond the Wall (5 stars) Bittersweet.
•An Adventure at Brownville (2 stars) Bit misogynistic eh?
•The Damned Thing (2 stars) Opening was good though.
• One of the Missing (5 stars) .
• The Stranger (1 star).
Beyond the Wall and One of the Missing reminds me of Edgar Allan Poe's writing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
•An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge (5 stars).
•Beyond the Wall (5 stars) Bittersweet.
•An Adventure at Brownville (2 stars) Bit misogynistic eh?
•The Damned Thing (2 stars) Opening was good though.
• One of the Missing (5 stars) .
• The Stranger (1 star).
Beyond the Wall and One of the Missing reminds me of Edgar Allan Poe's writing. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
September 10, 2021
An occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is a short story that has haunted me since I first read it in my childhood. It’s an unforgettable piece of storytelling — probably more so because Rod Serling converted to an episode of Twilight Zone. The other five short stories in this edition of Ambrose Bierce writings were new to me but equally compelling.
March 8, 2025
never usually read gothic/horror stories, but all stories included were interesting enough to make me want to keep reading. particularly liked ‘an adventure at browsville’ and find myself thinking of it often.
May 8, 2025
The story is simple and easy to follow, but its psychedelic portrayal is thrilling to follow and reaches a conclusion that's appropriately dismal.
May 2, 2013
One of my goals this year is to read more classics and frankly, I'm really having a hard time reading them. I think age affects the reader's choices on what books he/she will read. First of all, sometimes the writing seems to be too archaic which makes it hard to interpret and because of that, my interest will slowly (or sometimes in an instant) fade. I had to read a certain page repeatedly for me to understand what the author's saying. I'm not ashamed of that because I'm doing my best to understand everything that I am reading and I really want to widen the genre of books that I'm reading although sometimes I feel like giving up. Hehehe.
Back to the subject at hand (which is the "review" part), I had to read this for like, two or three times. I don't know why. Maybe of the time intervals. The way of writing was not old or something but every time I start on reading a new page, it feels like it gets even more boring.
But! Never underestimate the power of your own will! Hahaha. At the end, I really liked it.
Back to the subject at hand (which is the "review" part), I had to read this for like, two or three times. I don't know why. Maybe of the time intervals. The way of writing was not old or something but every time I start on reading a new page, it feels like it gets even more boring.
But! Never underestimate the power of your own will! Hahaha. At the end, I really liked it.
October 23, 2017
This little Penguin booklet collects six stories written by Ambrose Bierce between 1888 and 1909. Chief among them is "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge", which I had already read and so should you lest Kurt Vonnegut think of you as a twerp. Together with "One of the Missing", "The Damned Thing" and "The Stranger", they form the best stories in the collection. You could describe them as Gothic, horror and even science fiction, but really they're best shrouded by the mantle of weird fiction: subtle, engrossing and unsettling.
Even if "Beyond the wall" and "An Adventure at Brownville" seem comparatively weaker in concept, there's no denying Bierce's mastery of his craft - the way he deftly shifts between tenses, perspectives and timelines to paint his discretely ominous mysteries. In "The Stranger" Bierce writes about his ghostly narrator: "Anyone can tell some kind of story; narration is one of the elemental powers of the race. But the talent for description is a gift". You don't say.
Even if "Beyond the wall" and "An Adventure at Brownville" seem comparatively weaker in concept, there's no denying Bierce's mastery of his craft - the way he deftly shifts between tenses, perspectives and timelines to paint his discretely ominous mysteries. In "The Stranger" Bierce writes about his ghostly narrator: "Anyone can tell some kind of story; narration is one of the elemental powers of the race. But the talent for description is a gift". You don't say.
March 23, 2014
I know about Ambrose Bierce as the rapier wit who wrote THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY. It is therefore a great joy to discover his excellent short stories. In some instances he deals with events (fictional) during the American Civil War; some of his stories deal with supernatural elements. I appreciate his unusual take on people and his well-wrought nineteenth century prose. His stories open a window on his lifetime in America which I have not experienced in this way before. His work is a pleasant and exciting discovery.
Ambrose Bierce is bekend as satirikus; hoewel daar tekens van satire en humor in hierdie groep van ses kortverhale is, is sy waarneming van mense skerp dog deernisvol. Hy bied 'n besondere blik op negentiende-eeuse Amerika wat ek nie voorheen gehad het nie. Sy werk is 'n besondere vonds.
Ambrose Bierce is bekend as satirikus; hoewel daar tekens van satire en humor in hierdie groep van ses kortverhale is, is sy waarneming van mense skerp dog deernisvol. Hy bied 'n besondere blik op negentiende-eeuse Amerika wat ek nie voorheen gehad het nie. Sy werk is 'n besondere vonds.
March 9, 2015
I read this very short story for my junior English class and was intrigued by the overall theme it was under, "The Rise of Realism". It was so detailed and actually made me feel like I was there, experiencing it with him. And it was quite intense because I do visualize myself at least watching the story take place. But this time, her flow of words... Indescribable. Her writing style has become such an inspiration because I have always admired those that can get the readers, not only enjoy, but experience the story. She managed to take a very depressing story and morph it to something beautiful. Very good! I am on the lookout for more of Bierce's work. 5 stars and a recommendation.
May 23, 2018
Bierce often dialogues to readers in his tales in a kind of black humor joke.
Unlike the police stories where the author is giving us clues, Bierce frequently gifts us with false hopes.
But indeed the irony is in our own expectation, something that revolves around the majority of human beings.
This is a tale of hope and dream that leads to the hard reality, naked and raw. Almost a psychological horror, like Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum", but backwards.
Excellent!!
Unlike the police stories where the author is giving us clues, Bierce frequently gifts us with false hopes.
But indeed the irony is in our own expectation, something that revolves around the majority of human beings.
This is a tale of hope and dream that leads to the hard reality, naked and raw. Almost a psychological horror, like Poe's "The Pit and the Pendulum", but backwards.
Excellent!!
May 26, 2012
Highly entertaining book of short stories focused on death and with twist endings. Featured on the Lost book club.
April 19, 2016
Excellent little read ... Quite atmospheric ...
August 9, 2018
Wasn't bad, but wasn't great either.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews