Arthur Machen

"The House of Souls" is a 1922 collection of short stories by Arthur Machan. Arthur Machen (1863 – 1947) was a Welsh author and renowned mystic during the 1890s and early 20th century who garnered literary acclaim for his contributions to the supernatural, horror, and fantasy fiction genres. His seminal novella "The Great God Pan" (1890) has become a classic of horror fiction, with Stephen King describing it as one of the best horror stories ever...

First published in 1907, "The Hill of Dreams" is a semi-autobiographical novel by Welsh author and mystic Arthur Machan. The tale revolves around the life of Lucian Taylor, a young man who had an idyllic childhood in rural Wales. Lucian experiences mystical visions at an old Roman fort locally known as The Hill of Dreams, and later becomes an impoverished author in London pursuing art and history. Offering an illuminating insight into Machan's life...

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...

"The Great Return" is a 1915 short story by Welsh author and mystic Arthur Machan. Set in a small Welsh village, the story revolves around the return of the Holy Grail to the home of its alleged origin. The story refers to the Nanteos Cup, a medieval wood mazer bowl held for many years at Nanteos Mansion, Rhydyfelin, near Aberystwyth in Wales. It is believed by some that this Bowl is a candidate for the Holy Grail, which has the supernatural ability...

The Three Impostors (1895) is a novel by Arthur Machen. Consisting of interwoven stories involving the title characters, The Three Impostors was compared to the prose style of Robert Louis Stevenson on publication. 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...

Something pushed out from the body there on the floor, and stretched forth a slimy, wavering tentacle... Perhaps no figure better embodies the transition from the Gothic tradition to modern horror than Arthur Machen. In the final decade of the nineteenth century, the Welsh writer produced a seminal body of tales of occult horror, spiritual and physical corruption, and malignant survivals from the primeval past which horrified and scandalised-late-Victorian...

"A Fragment of Life" is a 1904 short story by Welsh author Arthur Machan. A young couple unsatisfied with their banal married life turn to spirituality for fulfilment, but what they find in the end isn't exactly what they were looking for. A masterful supernatural tale with macabre undertones, "A Fragment of Life" constitutes a must-read for fans of classic fantasy and sci-fi fiction. Arthur Machen (1863 – 1947) was a Welsh author and renowned mystic...

"Things Near and Far" was is the second part of Arthur Machen's autobiography. The first part is contained in "Far Off Things" (1922) and the third in "The London Adventure" (1924). Arthur Machen (1863 — 1947) was a Welsh author and renowned mystic during the 1890s and early 20th century who garnered literary acclaim for his contributions to the supernatural, horror, and fantasy fiction genres. His seminal novella "The Great God Pan" (1890) has...

"The Islington Mystery" is a classic horror mystery story by one of the modern masters of supernatural and horror fiction, Arthur Machan. Arthur Machen (1863 – 1947) was a Welsh author and renowned mystic during the 1890s and early 20th century who garnered literary acclaim for his contributions to the supernatural, horror, and fantasy fiction genres. His seminal novella "The Great God Pan" (1890) has become a classic of horror fiction, with Stephen...

A treasure for WW I enthusiasts. This is a wonderful little book of fictional stories which it is easy to understand why people in the UK thought were true when first published. Highly recommended for students looking at Propaganda in War. (Goodreads)