Can Such Things Be?

"Can Such Things Be?" by Ambrose Bierce is a compilation of chilling stories from the late 1800s that touch on themes like death, what happens after death, and where our world meets the supernatural, reflecting Bierce’s gloomy wit and serious thoughts about life and death. It starts with "The Death of Halpin Frayser," where Halpin Frayser wakes up confused in a forest, haunted by scary feelings and unclear memories of both the living and ghosts. This story kicks things off with Halpin Frayser waking up in a strange forest and saying the name Catherine Larue, which he barely knows, setting a fearful mood. He goes through a terrifying dream filled with blood and quiet, scary voices, bringing up a strong sense of fear and guilt over a possible crime he can’t remember. As the story goes on, Frayser faces creepy visions, like a ghostly image of his mother, adding family drama and fear. Through strong, scary images and a dark mood, Bierce pulls readers into a story that makes it hard to tell what’s real from what’s ghostly, hinting that more disturbing secrets will be revealed as the stories continue.