Books by Arthur Machen

''I will not read it; I should never sleep again'' A doctor performs an experiment on a young woman that goes horribly wrong, and a series of increasingly strange events follow: sinister woodland rituals, disappearances, suicides... Viewed as immoral and decadent on first publication in 1894, Machen''s weird tale has since established itself as a classic of its genre and has been described by Stephen King as ''one of the best horror stories ever written. Maybe the best in the English language''. The Penguin English Library - collectable general readers'' editions of the best fiction in English, from the eighteenth century to the end of the Second World War.

Arthur Machen is a significant figure in supernatural and horror literature, in the genre of 'weird fiction'. This collection brings together his best horror tales with a full contextual introduction and which helps to illuminate Machen's place in the literary and cultural milieu of 1890s Britain.

The White People (1904) is a short story by Arthur Machen. Originally published in Horlick¿s Magazine, the story was later printed in The House of Souls (1906), a short story collection. Condemned as decadent and obscene upon publication, Machen¿s writing earned praise from Oscar Wilde and H. P. Lovecraft. Throughout the years, Machen¿s work has been referenced and adapted by such figures as Stephen King, Guillermo del Toro, and Josh Malerman for its masterfully unsettling blend of science, myth, and magic. As the sun sets over the lush countryside, Cotgrave and his friend Ambrose discuss the thin boundary that separates sorcery and the sacred. Unable to agree about the nature of good and evil, on what defines a sinner as opposed to a saint, Ambrose offers his comrade a book to borrow. Surprisingly well-kept for its age, the green book accompanies Cotgrave on his journey home, where he opens it to discover a strange, mysterious tale. Its pages contain the diary of a young girl who, encouraged by her nurse, immerses herself in the world of magic. As she grows adept in the ways of witchcraft, the girl begins referring to strange beings and unknown places, all while doing her best to conceal her secret life from friends and family. When he reaches the diary¿s end, Cotgrave will wish he had never looked past its binding. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Arthur Machen¿s The White People is a classic of British horror fiction reimagined for modern readers.

The Great God Pan (1894) is a novella by Arthur Machen. Condemned as decadent and obscene upon publication, The Great God Pan earned praise from Oscar Wilde and H. P. Lovecraft, and is now regarded as one of Victorian literature's finest-and most unsettling-stories of horror and the occult. Throughout the years, it has influenced such figures as Stephen King, Guillermo del Toro, and Josh Malerman with its depiction of the god Pan and unsettling blend of science, myth, and magic. Clarke has always taken an interest in occult matters, so when a friend offers him a chance to witness an experimental procedure intended to access the spirit realm, he cannot refuse. When the young patient Mary awakens, she shows signs of terror and soon succumbs to a catatonic state. Convinced of their success in discovering the world of "the great god Pan," Clarke and Raymond agree to keep their discovery a secret. Years later, a nearby town begins reporting the mysterious disappearances of young children, all of whom have been seen in the forest with a young woman named Helen Vaughn. Before they can solve the case, however, Vaughn disappears, leaving Clarke and the townspeople traumatized. As their secret grows too terrible to bear, Raymond and Clarke must steel themselves in order to solve the connection between Mary and Helen, and to close the portal to the spirit realm for good. With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Arthur Machen's The Great God Pan is a classic of British horror fiction reimagined for modern readers.

A forlorn London suburb. Four people are gathered around a table in a derelict abandoned house. One is a beautiful woman with hazel eyes, Helen. Two are men who are maniacally laughing along with Helen. The fourth is a "young man with spectacles" named Joseph Walters who is not to remain among the living for much longer. The trio then bid a "farewell to occult adventures" and leave the house.Supernatural detectives Dyson and Phillips stroll by and notice the magnificent old house. When they walk in, it immediately strikes them that they are once again dealing with the "three impostors" when an Ancient Roman coin just happens to roll by.'The Three Impostors' is a labyrinth of sinister and horrific situations from which there may seem to be no escape at times. A must-read for devotees of Machen, H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe.Strongly recommended for fans of the 'Good Omens' series inspired by Terry Pratchett's fiction and starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Fans of the HBO show 'Lovecraft Country' may also find a true Lovecraft-ian treasure trove hidden between the pages of 'The White People'.Arthur Machen (1863-1947) was a Welsh writer of supernatural, fantasy, and horror novels. Before his literary career skyrocketed he also worked as a journalist and an actor. His major belief was that the ordinary and external world surreptitiously conceals something far more mysterious and bizarre. In turn, we are deeply interested in trying to lift the veil enshrouding the threshold separating the two. His most acclaimed works include the classic horror novella 'The Great God Pan' and the semi-autobiographical 'The Hill of Dreams'.

The pagan rituals and ancient ruins in Machen’s portrayal of Wales played a pivotal role in guiding the creative force responsible for the horror novella 'The Great God Pan'. Upon publication in 1894 it was widely scorned due to its overtly decadent and sexual motifs.The narrative unfolds around a mad scientist who is convinced he can make the mind experience the spiritual world and envision the beyond. Predictably proves his hypothesis to be mistaken. But is it really a mistake?Horror legend Stephen King, whose bestselling books have been adapted into blockbuster films such as 'The Stand', 'It', 'Misery' and 'The Shining', considers this terrifying story to be one of his favourites.Arthur Machen (1863-1947) was a Welsh writer of supernatural, fantasy, and horror novels. Before his literary career skyrocketed he also worked as a journalist and an actor. His major belief was that the ordinary and external world surreptitiously conceals something far more mysterious and bizarre. In turn, we are deeply interested in trying to lift the veil enshrouding the threshold separating the two. His most acclaimed works include the classic horror novella 'The Great God Pan' and the semi-autobiographical 'The Hill of Dreams'.

Set in the middle of the First World War, 'The Terror' unfurls the atrocities of the German invasion alongside the terrifying fear of the unknown - unexplained murders, surreptitious occurrences and collective paranoia. All of these spine-chilling factors culminate in a magical yet macabre denouement that will leave you at the edge of your seat.A gripping and haunting novella, 'The Terror' is a must-read for Machen enthusiasts and all horror fiction aficionados - in particular fans of H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allan Poe.Jorge Luis Borges cited Machen as a great writer and an inspiration for the magical realism movement in literature. Notorious occultist Aleister Crowley also greatly admired Machen for effortlessly crossing over the threshold that separates reality and the magical realm.Strongly recommended for fans of the 'Good Omens' series inspired by Terry Pratchett's fiction and starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Fans of the HBO show 'Lovecraft Country' may also find a true Lovecraft-ian treasure trove hidden between these pages.Arthur Machen (1863-1947) was a Welsh writer of supernatural, fantasy, and horror novels. Before his literary career skyrocketed he also worked as a journalist and an actor. His major belief was that the ordinary and external world surreptitiously conceals something far more mysterious and bizarre. In turn, we are deeply interested in trying to lift the veil enshrouding the threshold separating the two. His most acclaimed works include the classic horror novella 'The Great God Pan' and the semi-autobiographical 'The Hill of Dreams'.

'The Secret Glory' follows the story of young Ambrose Meyrick, who is enchanted by the legend of the San Graal and the forces that kept it secret in his Welsh homeland. Ambrose’s Christian public school is a living hell, its violence and superficiality is a stark contrast to the true spirituality that he seeks. Thus, his only choice is to go on a quest for the Graal and become one with the past.'The Secret Glory' closely parallels Machen's best-known work 'The Hill of Dreams' in its fascination with the hidden mysteries of art and nature waiting to be explored.Jorge Luis Borges cited Machen as a great writer and an inspiration for the magical realism movement in literature. Notorious occultist Aleister Crowley also greatly admired Machen for effortlessly crossing over the threshold that separates reality and the magical realm.Strongly recommended for fans of the 'Good Omens' series inspired by Terry Pratchett's fiction and starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Fans of the HBO show 'Lovecraft Country' may also find a true Lovecraft-ian treasure trove hidden between the pages of 'The White People'.Arthur Machen (1863-1947) was a Welsh writer of supernatural, fantasy, and horror novels. Before his literary career skyrocketed he also worked as a journalist and an actor. His major belief was that the ordinary and external world surreptitiously conceals something far more mysterious and bizarre. In turn, we are deeply interested in trying to lift the veil enshrouding the threshold separating the two. His most acclaimed works include the classic horror novella 'The Great God Pan' and the semi-autobiographical 'The Hill of Dreams'.

I Den store Gud Pan og andre fortællinger præsenteres de bedste historier af den store gotiske forfatter Arthur Machen, hvis værker har haft enorm indflydelse på gyserlitteraturen i det 20. århundrede. Selve titelnovellen, Den store gud Pan, er af Stephen King blevet kaldt den måske bedste engelsksprogede horrorfortælling nogensinde, og den øvede stor indflydelse på den lidt yngre samtidige H.P. Lovecraft. Machens fortællinger kredser om den verden, der skjuler sig bag ved den umiddelbart synlige, og mennesker, der søger at komme i berøring med den – ofte med alvorlige konsekvenser. Som hos de andre mesterforfattere inden for genren er Machens skildring af det uhyggelige, det fremmede, raffineret og subtil. Vi møder ikke ”monsteret” eller ”det onde”, men vi fornemmer det ganske tæt på – i øjnene på et menneske, der har mistet forstanden, i sporene efter et ritual, i skyggerne, der falder hen over et ellers idyllisk landskab – og hårene rejser sig på os.

'A Fragment of Life' is a short story by Arthur Machen taking a close look at the life of a young couple who turn to spirituality for fulfillment and away from the unsatisfying banality of their everyday lives. They make an inward journey towards mysticism and an outward journey to the land of their birth, Wales. But perhaps they should've been a little more careful with what they wished for.'A Fragment of Life' is an eerie and macabre adventure into the mystical land of Wales that fans of supernatural horror fiction will definitely love.Jorge Luis Borges cited Machen as a great writer and an inspiration for the magical realism movement in literature. Notorious occultist Aleister Crowley also greatly admired Machen for effortlessly crossing over the threshold that separates reality and the magical realm.Strongly recommended for fans of the 'Good Omens' series inspired by Terry Pratchett's fiction and starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant. Fans of the HBO show 'Lovecraft Country' may also find a true Lovecraft-ian treasure trove hidden between the pages.Arthur Machen (1863-1947) was a Welsh writer of supernatural, fantasy, and horror novels. Before his literary career skyrocketed he also worked as a journalist and an actor. His major belief was that the ordinary and external world surreptitiously conceals something far more mysterious and bizarre. In turn, we are deeply interested in trying to lift the veil enshrouding the threshold separating the two. His most acclaimed works include the classic horror novella 'The Great God Pan' and the semi-autobiographical 'The Hill of Dreams'.

'The Hill of Dreams' follows the story of the introverted rector's son Lucian Taylor. He stumbles upon an odd Roman hill fort in his Welsh hometown which possesses his mind with supernatural visions and pagan erotic imagery. Compelled by the strange desires stirring in his soul, he moves to London to become a writer. But his hopes that the change of scenery would restore his sanity prove futile as his darkest hallucinations begin to assume a very tangible form.'The Hill of Dreams' is a moving story, one which pioneered discussions on the concept of the doomed artist in literature. Jorge Luis Borges cited Machen as a great writer and an inspiration for the magical realism movement in literature. Notorious occultist Aleister Crowley also greatly admired Machen for effortlessly crossing over the threshold that separates reality and the magical realm.Strongly recommended for fans of the 'Good Omens' series inspired by Terry Pratchett's fiction and starring Michael Sheen and David Tennant.Arthur Machen (1863-1947) was a Welsh writer of supernatural, fantasy, and horror novels. Before his literary career skyrocketed he also worked as a journalist and an actor. His major belief was that the ordinary and external world surreptitiously conceals something far more mysterious and bizarre. In turn, we are deeply interested in trying to lift the veil enshrouding the threshold separating the two. His most acclaimed works include the classic horror novella 'The Great God Pan' and the semi-autobiographical 'The Hill of Dreams'.