A Guest by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
The book "A GUEST," by Ambrose Bierce, is a short story that explores the themes of isolation, loneliness, and the human desire for connection. The narrator, a traveler, arrives at a remote farmhouse and is greeted by an elderly woman who offers him hospitality. As he spends more time with her, he realizes that she is not what she seems, and he finds himself caught in a web of mystery and intrigue. The story raises questions about the nature of reality and the power of human imagination, as well as the fragility of human relationships.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Story, Horror, Supernatural · 223 words
First lines
Death, are you well? I trust you have no cough That's painful or in any way annoying -- No kidney trouble that may carry you off, Or heart disease to keep you from enjoying Your meals -- and ours. 'T were very sad indeed To have to quit the busy life you lead.
You've been quite active lately for so old A person, and not very strong-appearing.
I'm apprehensive, somehow, that my bold, Bad brother gave you trouble in the spearing.
And my two friends -- I fear, sir, that you ran Quite hard for them, especially the man.
What this Textopian page supports
A Guest is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1899 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Horror, Supernatural, Gothic
- Length: 223 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Guest by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Short Story — A GUEST by Ambrose Bierce is widely recognized as a piece of short fiction, containing a brief narrative usually focused on a particular incident or series of linked events.
- Horror — The classic literature often involves suspenseful and frightening scenarios, typical of the horror genre. The author Ambrose Bierce is renowned for writing horror stories.
- Supernatural — The main plot revolving around interaction with the supernatural, with elements of the unexplained or mystical, categorizes the book under the supernatural genre.
- Gothic — Elements of supernatural events and dark, eerie settings qualify this book as Gothic literature.
Tags
gothic · horror · supernatural · mystery · thriller · suspense · fiction · short story · literary fiction · classic · american literature · 19th century literature