Bücher von 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.

Fantastic and Horrific Stories is a collection of short fiction by Arthur Machen. 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. The Great God Pan, perhaps Machen's most celebrated work, is the story of an occult experiment gone horribly wrong. 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 falls into 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.In ?The White People,? originally published in Horlick's Magazine in 1904, a Welshman receives the diary of a young girl introduced to witchcraft. Surprisingly well-kept for its age, the green book accompanies Cotgrave on a journey through the lush countryside. 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.The Hill of Dreams is a semi-autobiographical novel about a young man who begins having strange visions after visiting an ancient Roman fort near his rural Welsh home. Published alongside ?The Inmost Light,? ?The Shining Pyramid,? The Terror, ?Out of the Earth,? and Ornaments in Jade, these tales by Arthur Machen showcase his gift for illuminating the presence of the supernatural in everyday life.With a beautifully designed cover and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of Arthur Machen's Fantastic and Horrific Stories is a classic of British horror fiction reimagined for modern readers.

"Far Off Things," penned through Arthur Machen, immerses readers in a charming exploration of reminiscence, mysticism, and the transcendent nature of human revel in. A Welsh writer known for his esoteric and supernatural tales, Machen crafts a narrative that transcends the everyday and delves into the realms of surprise. The book serves as a memoir, inviting readers into Machen's reminiscences of his formative years and early adulthood in past due 19th and early 20th century England. Through a blend of autobiography and philosophical musings, Machen reflects at the transformative strength of creativeness and the appeal observed in seemingly mundane moments. "Far Off Things" is imbued with Machen's distinct prose, which weaves together the everyday and the extremely good, inviting readers to perceive the magical in the ordinary. Machen's deep connection to the landscapes and reports of his adolescents will become a lens through which he explores the interconnectedness of reality and the airy. This literary paintings, characterised by using its introspective and contemplative tone, offers readers a unique glimpse into the thoughts of a visionary creator. Machen's capability to infuse the ordinary with an experience of the fabulous makes "Far Off Things" a concept-frightening journey into the mysteries of existence.

"The Angels of Mons" is a short story written by Arthur Machen, originally published in 1915. The story is known for its unique blend of supernatural elements and war fiction, and it gained considerable popularity during World War I.The narrative is framed as a series of letters exchanged between two characters, one of whom recounts a fantastical event during the Battle of Mons in August 1914. According to the narrator, British soldiers were aided by a mysterious, divine intervention that took the form of angelic beings. These supernatural entities allegedly protected the British forces and turned the tide of the battle in their favor.Machen's story contributed to the creation of a legend that suggested the appearance of angelic or supernatural forces on the battlefield, providing hope and inspiration to the soldiers. However, it's essential to note that "The Angels of Mons" is a work of fiction, and the events described are not based on historical facts.The tale became so influential that it led to rumors and misconceptions, with some people believing that the events described by Machen were true accounts rather than fictional elements. The story reflects the psychological and emotional impact of war, as well as the human tendency to find solace and inspiration in supernatural or divine intervention during times of crisis.

The Terror: A Mystery, is a classical and a rare book, that has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and redesigned. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work, and hence their text is clear and readable. This remarkable volume falls within the genres of Language and Literatures English literature

The work displayed in A Reader of Curious Books paints an intellectual portrait of Arthur Machen as a young man. All of the writer's future themes and favorite subjects can be found in its pages: Christian history and liturgy, folklore, early man, the history of world literature, psychic phenomenon, orthodoxy versus heresy-to name only a few. For the certified bibliophile, a lover of literary exploration or the merely curious, a collection of this sort justifies itself. The archaic dispatches are both entertaining for the quality of the prose and interesting for the array of arcane subjects covered. The forgotten books reviewed in this collection become living characters with each title owing its existence to the simple suggestion that it does exist. In a sense, this lost bookshelf functions best as does the library of Don Quijote-a dusty chamber of the possibly dangerous, perhaps banal books which feed the imagination of man... that mad mammal.

The Secret Glory, a classical book, has been considered essential throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we at Alpha Editions have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

The Great God Pan" is a novella written by Arthur Machen. A version of the story was published in the magazine Whirlwind in 1890, and Machen revised and extended it for its book publication (together with another story, "The Inmost Light") in 1894. On publication it was widely denounced by the press as degenerate and horrific because of its decadent style and sexual content, although it has since garnered a reputation as a classic of horror. Machen's story was only one of many at the time to focus on Pan as a useful symbol for the power of nature and paganism. The title was taken from the poem "A Musical Instrument" published in 1862 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, in which the first line of every stanza ends "... the great god Pan.

Step into the chilling world of The Terror by Arthur Machen. In this gripping work of supernatural horror, Machen weaves a haunting tale that explores the depths of human fear and the mysteries that lie beyond our understanding.Set in the eerie landscapes of Wales, the story follows a group of friends who stumble upon a series of inexplicable and terrifying events. As they uncover ancient legends, occult practices, and encounters with the supernatural, their sanity and beliefs are pushed to the brink.Machen's evocative prose and mastery of atmosphere create an atmosphere of unrelenting suspense and dread. Through his vivid descriptions and meticulous attention to detail, he immerses readers in a world where ancient terrors lurk in the shadows and the line between reality and nightmare becomes blurred.The Terror is a masterpiece of horror fiction that delves into the darkest recesses of the human psyche. With its exploration of ancient mysteries and the fragile nature of human existence, Machen's work resonates with readers, leaving an indelible mark long after the final page is turned.Prepare to be consumed by fear and uncertainty as you venture into the haunting pages of The Terror. Arthur Machen's chilling narrative will captivate lovers of supernatural horror and leave them questioning the boundaries of the known world.

Ce livre classique a été initialement publié il y a des décennies sous le titre " The Great Return ". Il a maintenant été traduit par Writat en langue française pour leurs lecteurs francophones. Chez Writat, nous sommes passionnés par la préservation du patrimoine littéraire du passé. Nous avons traduit ce livre en français afin que les générations présentes et futures puissent le lire et le conserver.

An ancient Roman hilltop fort proves an irresistible draw to Lucian Taylor, but what awaits at the top isn¿t just a view of the surrounding Welsh landscape but a bacchal experience his young soul isn¿t ready for. This experience sets his path as he attempts to transcribe his increasingly elaborate visions into the perfect book; the book that will actually mean something more than the banal novels he sees the publishing houses push out.The Hill of Dreams is a semi-autobiographical work, with Arthur Machen following a similar physical journey to the novel: a childhood in rural Wales followed by attempts to become an author in London. Machen was inspired by a review of Tristram Shandy that described it as ¿a picaresque of the mind,¿ and determined to write ¿a Robinson Crusoe of the soul.¿ The protagonist¿s isolation from the rest of society certainly resonates with that description.Machen wrote this ten years earlier than its original 1907 publication, it having been turned down by the publishers of the time. While it was mostly ignored on its initial release, it has picked up admirers over the years and is now viewed as one of Machen¿s most important works.

Two idlers in London are sauntering in the streets when they pick up a coin dropped by a fleeing man. They keep meeting three persons, each time in a different disguise, who recount lurid tales. They seem to be looking for a spectacled man who regrets working with them, and has run away with a valuable coin ¿This novel is a Gothic horror classic, and takes the form of an episodic novel, with each chapter containing a story recounted by one of the three impostors. It contains ¿Novel of the Black Seal¿ and ¿Novel of the White Powder,¿ popular stories which have been widely anthologized.

Was Ambrose Meyrick insane or born in the wrong millennium?A Welsh orphan, he went to live with his uncle at a public school in the industrialized midlands, where he was seen as a lazy, idle, unrealistic and impractical dreamer. So he was caned by the teachers, bullied by his classmates, and bored by his classes.His father, before his death, had developed an enthusiasm in him for antiquities, especially the ancient Celtic branch of Christianity, taking him to desolate places in Wales, to the remnants of saint's wells and ruins of ancient buildings and holy sites, telling him stories of them and the saints and heroes of an almost forgotten era. But his father told him to conceal his interests from the world, which would not understand.Ambrose found out the hard way that his father had been right, and that he had to hide this fascination in order to conform to the expectations of his classmates and teachers. After all, they would never believe that he had seen the Holy Grail. And the school and its teachers had no interest in developing a mystic.He became a model student and athlete, and got admitted to Oxford. Meanwhile, at night he meditated and had dreams and visions. His uncle's young Irish maid, also an orphan, developed an interest in him, although she had doubts about his sanity. A couple of chance encounters with strangers suggested that he has a destiny of being an unappreciated outsider and a martyr.He eventually rebelled against the hypocrisy around him, but then discovered that he, too, had been a hypocrite, and must change himself.

The Great God Pan is a horror and fantasy novella by Welsh writer Arthur Machen. Machen was inspired to write The Great God Pan by his experiences at the ruins of a pagan temple in Wales. What would become the first chapter of the novella was published in the magazine The Whirlwind in 1890. Machen later extended The Great God Pan and it was published as a book alongside another story, "The Inmost Light", in 1894. The novella begins with an experiment to allow a woman named Mary to see the supernatural world. This is followed by an account of a series of mysterious happenings and deaths over many years surrounding a woman named Helen Vaughan. At the end, the heroes confront Helen and force her to kill herself. She undergoes a series of unearthly transformations before dying and she is revealed to be a supernatural entity. On publication, it was widely denounced by the press as degenerate and horrific because of its implied sexual content, and the novella hurt Machen's reputation as an author. Beginning in the 1920s, Machen's work was critically re-evaluated and The Great God Pan has since garnered a reputation as a classic of horror. Literary critics have noted the influence of other nineteenth-century authors on The Great God Pan and offered differing opinions on whether or not it can be considered an example of Gothic fiction or science fiction. The novella has influenced the work of horror writers such as Bram Stoker, H. P. Lovecraft, and Stephen King, and has been adapted for the stage twice. A pair of parodies of Pan were published in 1895 - Arthur Rickett's "A Yellow Creeper" and Arthur Sykes's "The Great Pan-Demon". Both suggest that Machen is an author of "limited imagination," with the latter depicting him as a mad scientist unleashing degenerate literature on an unsuspecting public. The Great God Pan was brought to the stage in 2008 by the WildClaw Theatre Company in Chicago. It was adapted and directed by WildClaw artistic director Charley Sherman. The novella Helen's Story (2013) by Rosanne Rabinowitz retells the story of The Great God Pan from Helen Vaughan's point of view. Helen's Story was written from a feminist perspective and nominated for a Shirley Jackson Award. The Great God Pan was adapted into a chamber opera by composer Ross Crean. Unusually for a composer, Crean wrote the opera's libretto himself. A recording of the work was released in 2017. The production saw its world premiere by Chicago Fringe Opera in 2018. According to the Chicago Tribune's John von Rhein, Chicago Fringe Opera's staging of The Great God Pan portrays Helen Vaughan as both a symbol of gender equality and an evil femme fatale. (wikipedia.org)

LARGE PRINT EDITION. Invited by his friend to witness an experimental procedure, Clarke watches with interest and horror as the surgeon opens his young patient¿s mind to grant her a vision of the spirit realm. Years later, a nearby town is traumatized by the strange disappearance of several children, prompting Clarke to investigate. The Great God Pan is a novella by Arthur Machen.

"Explosion at Munition Works in the Northern District: Many Fatalities."The working man told about it, and added some dreadful details. Corpses so terribly maimed that coffins had been kept covered; faces mutilated as if by some gnawing animal. . . . we took a tram to the location of the disaster; a raw and hideous shed with a walled yard about it, and a shut gate. The roof was quite undamaged -- this had had been a strange accident. There had been an explosion of sufficient violence to kill work-people in the building, but the building itself showed no wounds or scars.

The Hill of Dreams is a semi-autobiographical novel by the Welsh writer Arthur Machen.The novel recounts the life of a young man, Lucian Taylor, focusing on his dreamy childhood in rural Wales, in a town based on Caerleon. The Hill of Dreams of the title is an old Roman fort where Lucian has strange sensual visions, including ones of the town in the time of Roman Britain. Later, the novel describes Lucian's attempts to make a living as an author in London, enduring poverty and suffering in the pursuit of art and history.The Hill of Dreams was little noticed on its publication in 1907 save in a glowing review by Alfred Douglas. It was actually written between 1895 and 1897 and has elements of the style of the decadent and aesthetic movement of the period, seen through Machen's own mystical preoccupations. (wikipedia.org)

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.