A Talisman by Ambrose Bierce (1899)
"A Talisman" is a novella written by Ambrose Bierce in 1899. The story follows the journey of a man named John Marston, who is sentenced to death for his involvement in a bandit gang. While on death row, Marston meets a mysterious stranger who offers him a chance to escape and start anew. However, the price of this newfound freedom is that Marston must spend the next seven years searching for a rare gemstone known as the "talisman," which is said to have the power to grant wishes. Along the way, Marston encounters various characters who help or hinder his quest, and he must confront his own morality and the nature of his desire for the talisman.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Horror · 58 words
First lines
Having been summoned to serve as a juror, a Prominent Citizen sent a physician's certificate stating that he was afflicted with softening of the brain.
"The gentleman is excused," said the Judge, handing back the certificate to the person who had brought it, "he has a brain."
What this Textopian page supports
A Talisman is listed on Textopian as a fable 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: Fable
- Author: Ambrose Bierce
- Date: 1899 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Stories, Literary Fiction, Horror, Fantasy
- Length: 58 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Talisman 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 Talisman?
- How does this fable by Ambrose Bierce fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Short Stories first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Short Stories — The book 'A Talisman' by Ambrose Bierce is a brief narrative, making it fall under the Short Stories genre.
- Literary Fiction — Ambrose Bierce's sophisticated and symbolic literary style categorizes this book under the Literary Fiction genre.
- Horror — Some elements and themes of terror in the story bring 'A Talisman' into the Horror genre.
- Fantasy — The story introduces supernatural elements, detailing the powers of a talisman, which places this book in the Fantasy genre.
Tags
gothic fiction · supernatural horror · mystery · thriller · fantasy · magical realism · dark fantasy · psychological horror · literary fiction · classic literature · 19th century literature · American literature