An Unmerry Christmas
"An Unmerry Christmas" is a short story written by Ambrose Bierce in 1897. The story follows a man named Asa Trenchard, who has lost his wife and child in a tragic accident. On Christmas Eve, Asa receives a visit from an unknown guest who offers him a chance to spend the night with his deceased loved ones in a mystical realm. Despite his initial hesitation, Asa accepts the offer and spends the night with his family, only to realize upon returning to the mortal world that the experience has changed him forever. The story explores themes of grief, loss, and the power of memory to shape our experiences and perceptions.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1892 · Genre: Short Story, Satire, Dark Comedy · 564 words
First lines
Christmas, you tell me, comes but once a year.
One place it never comes, and that is here.
What this Textopian page supports
An Unmerry Christmas is listed on Textopian as a short story by Ambrose Bierce, dated 1892 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: 1892 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Short Story, Satire, Dark Comedy, Historical Fiction
- Length: 564 words
- Structure: 1 section, 15 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for An Unmerry Christmas by Ambrose Bierce
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering An Unmerry Christmas?
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Similar titles
- The Writer And The Tramps by Ambrose Bierce
- Mendax by Ambrose Bierce
- Johndonkey by Ambrose Bierce
- The Discontented Malefactor by Ambrose Bierce
- The Yearly Lie by Ambrose Bierce
- The Royal Jester by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Short Story — Ambrose Bierce is widely known for his short stories.
- Satire — Bierce's writing often uses satire to critique society and human nature.
- Dark Comedy — The title hints at a darkly humorous or ironic take on a typically joyous holiday, a style fitting in with the dark comedies Bierce is known for.
- Historical Fiction — Elements of historical fiction are common in Bierce's works, given his life experience and service in the American Civil War.
Tags
dark humor · irony · satire · short story · holiday themed · bitter · cynical · gothic · supernatural · mystery · horror · tragedy