The Great God Pan and Other Horror Stories

This collection showcases Arthur Machen's influential horror tales, including The Great God Pan, illuminating his pivotal role in the genre of weird fiction.

Arthur Machen is a pivotal figure in the realms of supernatural and horror literature, particularly within the genre known as 'weird fiction'. The Great God Pan and Other Horror Stories brings together his most compelling horror tales, accompanied by a comprehensive introduction that sheds light on Machen's significance in the literary and cultural landscape of 1890s Britain. The collection reveals the unsettling nature of his work, where something sinister reaches out from the depths, and readers are drawn into a world of eerie possibilities.

In the final years of the nineteenth century, Machen emerged as a key voice, bridging the gap between the Gothic tradition and modern horror. His writings delve into themes of occult horror, spiritual decay, and the remnants of ancient, malevolent forces that both horrified and fascinated late-Victorian audiences. The influence of Machen's 'weird fiction' can be traced through generations of writers, from H. P. Lovecraft to contemporary filmmakers like Guillermo Del Toro, underscoring the enduring impact of his unsettling narratives.

This newly curated collection includes the complete novel The Three Impostors, alongside renowned tales such as The Great God Pan and The White People. It serves as the most thorough critical edition of Machen's work to date, featuring not only the well-known horror classics but also a selection of lesser-known prose poems and later stories. The introduction and notes provide essential context, enriching the reader's understanding of Machen's role as a foundational figure in the evolution of horror literature.