Length4h 56m
About this audiobook
In "Black Beetles in Amber," Ambrose Bierce deftly weaves together a collection of short stories and essays that encapsulate the macabre and the absurd, often blending elements of satire and social commentary. The work, written in Bierce's signature sardonic style, employs rich imagery and incisive wit, capturing the bleakness of human experience against a backdrop of the uncanny. Each tale reflects Bierce's fascination with the darker aspects of life, showcasing his ability to explore themes of mortality, madness, and the often surreal nature of reality, all while employing a narrative technique that signifies the late 19th-century literary movement of American realism and gothic fiction. Ambrose Bierce, a journalist, and author renowned for his sharp tongue and skepticism towards societal norms, found inspiration in his tumultuous experiences during the Civil War and his deep disillusionment with post-war America. His literary career was marked by acute observations of human nature and the absurdity of existence, both of which are vividly present in this collection. Bierce's background as a journalist allows him to tackle complex subjects with both clarity and a critical eye, making "Black Beetles in Amber" a pivotal marker in his oeuvre. This compelling volume is recommended for readers seeking a keen exploration of the human psyche through the lens of stark realism infused with dark humor. Bierce's incisive critique of societal norms and his masterful storytelling invite readers to grapple with the unsettling truths of existence, making "Black Beetles in Amber" a thought-provoking addition to any literary collection.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★ 3.0 (28)
Includes Goodreads
GenreLiterary Classics, Horror
Length4 hrs 56 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateSep 15, 2022
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
11892
26THE MACKAIAD
2AMBROSE BIERCE.
27A SONG IN PRAISE
3THE KEY NOTE
28A POET'S FATHER
4CAIN
29A COWARD
5AN OBITUARIAN
30TO MY LIARS
Show all chaptersShow less
6A COMMUTED SENTENCE
31CODEX HONORIS
7A LIFTED FINGER
32TO W.H.L.B.
8TWO STATESMEN
33EMANCIPATION
9MATTER FOR GRATITUDE
34JOHNDONKEY
10THREE KINDS OF A ROGUE
35HELL
11A MAN
36LUCIFER OF THE TORCH
12SAMUEL SHORTRIDGE
37THE "WHIRLIGIG OF TIME"
13SURPRISED
38A RAILROAD LACKEY
14POSTERITY'S AWARD
39THE LEGATEE
15AN ART CRITIC
40A LITERARY HANGMAN
16THE SPIRIT OF A SPONGE
41AT THE ELEVENTH HOUR
17ORNITHANTHROPOS
42A CONTROVERSIALIST
18TO E.S. SALOMON
43MENDAX
19DENNIS KEARNEY
44THE RETROSPECTIVE BIRD
20FINIS FTERNITATIS
45THE OAKLAND DOG
21THE VETERAN
46THE UNFALLEN BRAVE
22AN "EXHIBIT"
47A CELEBRATED CASE
23THE TRANSMIGRATIONS OF A SOUL
48COUPLETS
24AN ACTOR
49A RETORT
25FAMINE'S REALM
50A VISION OF RESURRECTION
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