The Damned Thing

The Damned Thing

1898, From "In the Midst of Life"By Ambrose Bierce
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length0m

About this audiobook

In Ambrose Bierce's haunting short story "The Damned Thing," readers are immersed in a gripping exploration of the unknown, where the boundaries of reality and perception blur. Set against the backdrop of the American West, Bierce employs a vivid descriptive style and a fragmented narrative structure to convey the psychological turmoil of his protagonist. The story delves into themes of isolation, existential dread, and the limits of human understanding, recalling the era's fascination with naturalism and the supernatural. The titular 'damned thing' becomes a symbol of humanity's struggle to comprehend the incomprehensible, echoing the broader literary traditions of gothic horror and existential inquiry that were gaining prominence in the late 19th century. Bierce, a Civil War veteran and journalist known for his acerbic wit and incisive observations, often wrestled with themes of death and the absurd in his works. His personal experiences, particularly the horrors of war and the tumultuous socio-political climate of his time, profoundly influenced his understanding of fear and the macabre. "The Damned Thing" reflects his unique perspective, showcasing his ability to intertwine personal trauma with universal themes of alienation and the mysteries of existence. Readers intrigued by the delicate balance between horror and psychological introspection will find "The Damned Thing" a compelling addition to their literary repertoire. Bierce's masterful command of atmosphere and mood offers a reflective journey through the darker aspects of the human condition, making this work essential for those interested in American literature and the exploration of madness and perception.

Audiobook details

GenreHorror
Length0 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateSep 16, 2022
LanguageEnglish
The Land Beyond the Blow (Annotated)
The Land Beyond the Blow (Annotated)Ambrose Bierce3h 58m$2 · $0.00
A Cynic Looks at Life (Essays on the death penalty, emancipated women and more) (Annotated)
A Cynic Looks at Life (Essays on the death penalty, emancipated women and more) (Annotated)Ambrose Bierce2h 58m$2 · $0.00
Ashes of the Beacon: An Historical Monograph Written in 4930 (Unabridged) (Annotated)
Ashes of the Beacon: An Historical Monograph Written in 4930 (Unabridged) (Annotated)Ambrose Bierce3h 8m$2 · $0.00
The Fourth Estate (4 Satirical Stories about Journalists and Politicians) (Annotated)
The Fourth Estate (4 Satirical Stories about Journalists and Politicians) (Annotated)Ambrose Bierce1h 48m$2 · $0.00
Negligible Tales (14 Unabridged Tales) (Annotated)
Negligible Tales (14 Unabridged Tales) (Annotated)Ambrose Bierce4h 7m$2 · $0.00
Cuentos de soldados y civiles
Cuentos de soldados y civilesAmbrose Bierce9h 6m$7 · $0.00
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
An Occurrence at Owl Creek BridgeAmbrose Bierce24m$1 · $0.00
Shapes of Clay
Shapes of ClayAmbrose Bierce5h 8m$2 · $0.00
Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost Stories
Present at a Hanging and Other Ghost StoriesAmbrose Bierce2h 51m$2 · $0.00
The Parenticide Club
The Parenticide ClubAmbrose Bierce0m$2 · $0.00
The Shadow On The Dial, and Other Essays
The Shadow On The Dial, and Other EssaysAmbrose Bierce7h 37m$2 · $0.00
Diccionario del Diablo
Diccionario del DiabloAmbrose Bierce4h 42m$2 · $0.00
Ashes of the Beacon
Ashes of the BeaconAmbrose Bierce2h 57m$2 · $0.00
The Mocking-Bird (A Short Story From The American Civil War) (Annotated)
The Mocking-Bird (A Short Story From The American Civil War) (Annotated)Ambrose Bierce1h 45m$2 · $0.00
The Damned Thing & Other Ambrose Bierce's Mysteries (4 Books in One Edition)
The Damned Thing & Other Ambrose Bierce's Mysteries (4 Books in One Edition)Ambrose Bierce9h 13m$2 · $0.00
Phantoms of the Psyche – 4 Classic Psychological Supernatural Tales
Phantoms of the Psyche – 4 Classic Psychological Supernatural TalesAmbrose Bierce, Arthur Conan Doyle, Edith Wharton, May Sinclair10h 27m$2
The Best Of Ambrose Bierce: The Damned Thing + An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge + The Devil's Dictionary + Chickamauga (4 Classics in 1 Book) (Annotated)
The Best Of Ambrose Bierce: The Damned Thing + An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge + The Devil's Dictionary + Chickamauga (4 Classics in 1 Book) (Annotated)Ambrose Bierce9h 25m$2 · $0.00
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce: Negligible Tales, On With the Dance, Epigrams
The Collected Works of Ambrose Bierce: Negligible Tales, On With the Dance, EpigramsAmbrose Bierce8h 28m$1 · $0.00
Black Beetles in Amber
Black Beetles in AmberAmbrose Bierce4h 57m$2 · $0.00

You may also like