Cobwebs from an Empty Skull

by Ambrose Bierce, Edward Dalziel (Illustrator)

Cobwebs from an Empty Skull is a collection of short fables and stories written under Bierce's pseudonym, Dod Grile, and although one of his earliest published books, it still displays the wit and cynicism which colors his writing. The book is divided into three sections: "Fables of Zambri, the Parsee," an assortment of over 100 fables; "Brief Seasons of Intellectual Dissipation," discussions between a fool and a philosopher, a doctor and a soldier, respectively; and "Divers Tales," 28 different stories of an eclectic nature, including The Grateful Bear, Dr. Deadwood, I Presume, Mrs. Dennison's Head, and Jim Beckwourth's Pond.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Mystery

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1989

About the author

died perhaps 1914

Caustic wit and a strong sense of horror mark works, including In the Midst of Life (1891-1892) and The Devil's Dictionary (1906), of American writer Ambrose Gwinett Bierce.

People today best know this editorialist, journalist, and fabulist for his short story, An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge and his lexicon.

The informative sardonic view of human nature alongside his vehemence as a critic with his motto, "nothing matters," earned him the nickname "Bitter Bierce."

People knew Bierce despite his reputation as a searing critic, however, to encourage younger poet George Sterling and fiction author W.C. Morrow.

Bierce employed a distinctive style especially in his stories. This style often embraces an abrupt beginning, dark imagery, vague references to time, limited descriptions, the theme of war, and impossible events.

Bierce disappeared in December 1913 at the age of 71 years. People think that he traveled to Mexico to gain a firsthand perspective on ongoing revolution of that country.

Theories abound on a mystery, ultimate fate of Bierce. He in one of his final letters stated: "Good-bye. If you hear of my being stood up against a Mexican stone wall and shot to rags, please know that I think it is a pretty good way to depart this life. It beats old age, disease, or falling down the cellar stairs. To be a Gringo in Mexico--ah, that is euthanasia!"

Reviews

[Παύλος · Rating 3 out of 5]

Δε λέω, φουλ χιουμοριστικό και με διάθεση να γίνει ο Αίσωπος του 20ου αιώνα.

Αλλά μερικές ιστορίες παραήταν καμένες!

[Γιώργος Μπελαούρης · Rating 2 out of 5]

τον αγαπάω πολύ τον μπηρς
τον νιώθω σαν μακαρίτη αδελφό από ξένη μάνα και στεναχωριέμαι που δε θα μπορέσουμε να ανταλλάξουμε δυο κουβέντες απο κοντά ποτέ
αλλά τούτο εδώ δεν με τρέλανε
τι να κανς; δν μπορώ να του κρατήσω κακία, ήταν συμαπθητικό αλλά απλά οκέι

[Nickolas B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ο τίτλος του συγκεκριμένου βιβλίου είναι παραπλανητικός... Πιστεύει κανείς ότι μέσα στις σελίδες του θα βρει ανατριχιαστικές ιστορίες ή ιστορίες μυστηρίου.
Αντι για αυτό όμως η συγκεκριμένη συλλογή απαρτίζεται από σκωπτικές, κωμικές και ελαφρώς μελαγχολικές ιστορίες με ζώα και ανθρώπους. Κάτι ανάμεσα από Αίσωπο και Όσκαρ Γουάιλντ!

Όμως ο Μπηρς δεν είναι ούτε Αίσωπος ούτε Γουάιλντ, οπότε το αποτέλεσμα είναι ως επί το πλείστον χαζοχαρούμενο, γελοίο ή άτεχνο. Και βέβαια τα διδάγματα των μύθων είναι αρκετές φορές αφελή...

Δεν μπορώ όμως να πω ότι βαρέθηκα. Είναι διασκεδαστικός ο τρόπος γραφής και βέβαια αρκετές φορές γέλασα με τα σκωπτικά ηθικά διδάγματα... Αλλά μέχρι εκεί!

2,5 αστεράκια και ίσως κάποτε να τα κάνω 3! :D

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The moral stories are at their best told by Ambrose Bierce in his book Cobwebs from an Empty Skull.
Some stories are creepy and some are told just as a moral for the readers. Although, the writer has mentioned the moral at the end of the story. But, for some of the stories we need to decide what the writer wants to convey. My personal favorite are the stories from Fables of Zambri, the Parsee.
But, in my opinion I really enjoyed the stories and Ambrose Bierce fans should not miss this masterpiece. Read full review on bibliophileverse.blogspot.com

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK listening 🎶🔰

Another will written novella of twenty-eight very short stories by Ambrose Bierce each a new story. It was not what I expected but you can give it a try. Enjoy the adventure of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022

[Len Knighton · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some witty stories in this book but not enough for me to recommend it. It is not as nonsensical as my previous venture into Bierce fiction, but not far off.

Two stars

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The greek edition I possess includes only the "Fables of Zambri, the Parsee" and not the other two parts of the book.
The Fables of Zambri are a wildly surreal Aesop-esque collection of short animal myths, some of which have a "moral" at the end, which might be "this fable teaches us no one can be sure of anything when conversing with bees", or "this fable teaches us so many and important things it would be a crime to mention only some of them". Bierce's irony and cynicism were probably way ahead of his time, but the truth is that while they are certainly not lost on a contemporary audience, an assortment of so many very short surreal tales is bound to be uneven. The wtf factor that prevails here is, expectedly, of the hit or miss variety and prevents this work (or the first section of it since I don't have the other two) from reaching greatness.

[Ivan Soto · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of Classic American Literature: 13 books by Bierce in a single file, improved 1/7/2011 [Kindle Edition]

[Κωνσταντίνος Τσουρέκης · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ο Αμερικάνος Αίσωπος. Κάποιες ιστορίες πολύ καλές, κάποιες άλλες αδιάφορες. Τα σημειώματα του μεταφραστή όλα τα λεφτά!

[Forked Radish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating and review for “The Setting Sachem” only… An explanation for Viking burials.