The Valley of the Shadow of Theft
The Valley of the Shadow of Death is a novella by Ambrose Bierce, first published in 1899. It tells the story of an unnamed narrator who travels to a remote valley in search of his missing friend, only to find himself caught up in a series of eerie and supernatural events. The novella explores themes of death, loss, and the unknown, and is known for its vivid imagery and suspenseful plot.
By Ambrose Bierce · First published 1899 · Genre: Satire, Historical Fiction, Crime · 246 words
First lines
In fair Yosemite, that den of thieves / Wherein the minions of the moon divide / The travelers' purses, lo! the Devil grieves, / His larger share as leader still denied.
El Capitan, foreseeing that "his" reign / May be disputed too, beclouds his head.
The joyous Bridal Veil is torn in twain / And the crêpe steamer dangles there instead.
The Vernal Fall abates her pleasant speed / And hesitates to take the final plunge, / For rumors reach her that another greed / Awaits her in the Valley of the Sponge.
What this Textopian page supports
The Valley of the Shadow of Theft 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: Satire, Historical Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Horror
- Length: 246 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Valley of the Shadow of Theft 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
Similar titles
- Indicted by Ambrose Bierce
- A Black List by Ambrose Bierce
- The Penitent Thief by Ambrose Bierce
- The Bosss Choice by Ambrose Bierce
- An Arrest by Ambrose Bierce
- One Morning by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- Satire — Ambrose Bierce is known for his satirical works, therefore it is likely this book employs this style.
- Historical Fiction — Bierce's works often involve historical settings, and the title's reference to a 'valley' suggests a particular location in history.
- Crime — The use of 'theft' in the title suggests themes of crime.
- Mystery — The title suggests an exploration of unknown or dangerous territories, indicative of the mystery genre.
Tags
mystery · thriller · detective · crime · fiction · literature · classic · american · gothic · horror · supernatural · noir