I was directed to the work of Ambrose Bierce (1942 – 1913) after hearing Roald Dahl praise his short stories.
Both Dahl and Bierce are known for twisted tales with a thinly disguised bitterness towards straight society.
Bierce compiles a satirical lexicon The Devil’s Dictionary which is also known as The Cynic’s Word Book. In this he defines a novel as “a short story padded” which is presumably why he wrote only nonfiction and short stories.
The dictionary exposes Bierce as a politically incorrect misogynist. ‘Woman’ is defined as “An animal usually living in the vicinity of Man, and having a rudimentary susceptibility to domestication…………. is omnivorous and can be taught not to talk” Continue reading
