An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge, first published in 1890, is the best-known of Ambrose Bierce's stories of the Civil War, in which he had fought. Peyton Farquhar, an Alabama planter and Confederate sympathizer, stands on a railroad bridge with a rope around his neck, surrounded by Union soldiers. In three brief sections Bierce shows the preparation for the hanging, the trick by which Farquhar was lured into trying to burn the bridge, and then what passes through his mind as the plank is removed. The story's final sentence has been imitated countless times, but the control with which Bierce manages time, sensation and the reader's hopes has rarely been equaled. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the opening pages free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge online?
Yes. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge in the public domain?
Yes. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?
About 15 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge?
An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce is filed under "Short Stories" in the Vinteuil library.
