A Harmless Visitor by Ambrose Bierce
The book "A Harmless Visitor" by Ambrose Bierce is a short story that was first published in 1893. It tells the tale of a man who visits his friend's country home, only to find himself caught up in a strange and unsettling series of events. The story explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and the blurring of reality and fantasy. With its vivid descriptions and eerie atmosphere, "A Harmless Visitor" is a classic example of Bierce's masterful storytelling.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1891 · Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Short Stories · 180 words
First lines
At a meeting of the Golden League of Mystery a Woman was discovered, writing in a note-book. A member directed the attention of the Superb
High Chairman to her, and she was asked to explain her presence there, and what she was doing.
"I came in for my own pleasure and instruction," she said, "and was so struck by the wisdom of the speakers that I could not help making a few notes."
"Madam," said the Superb High Chairman, "we have no objection to visitors if they will pledge themselves not to publish anything they hear. Are you -- on your honour as a lady, now, madam -- are you not connected with some newspaper?"
What this Textopian page supports
A Harmless Visitor is listed on Textopian as a fable by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1891 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1891 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Short Stories, Suspense, Horror
- Length: 180 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Harmless Visitor by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering A Harmless Visitor?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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Genres
- Fiction — Ambrose Bierce is known for his fiction literature; therefore, it is likely that 'A Harmless Visitor' is a work of fiction.
- Mystery — Given the title, this story likely presents a person or thing as a visitor whose intentions or background are unclear, which aligns with elements found in mystery stories.
- Short Stories — Ambrose Bierce is recognized for his short stories, suggesting that this book could potentially belong to the genre of short stories.
- Suspense — 'A Harmless Visitor' suggests intrigue and an underlying threat, which are key elements of suspense-themed narratives.
Tags
ghost story · supernatural · horror · mystery · thriller · fiction · short story · classic literature · american literature · 19th century literature · psychological horror · suspense