The House of Souls
Jun 2022 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
196
Pages
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Eligible
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About this ebook
The House of Souls is a collection of supernatural, horror stories that will capture the reader's attention from the first paragraph. Machen, a major influence on later weird fiction writers such as Lovecraft and Ashton-Smith, creates eerie, atmospheric stories that imply rather than show. This literary conceit works well for the type of existential horror Machen posits lives behind, beside and next to us. Almost always out of direct sight, the creature and powers are subtle, old and dangerous but passive until disturbed by the hubris of man. In some ways, his characters celebrate and warn against progress and research for fear of what such inquiries might yield. All in all, an essential read for word fiction enthusiasts. (Amazon)
The House of Souls is a collection of supernatural, horror stories that will capture the reader's attention from the first paragraph. Machen, a major influence on later weird fiction writers such as Lovecraft and Ashton-Smith, creates eerie, atmospheric stories that imply rather than show. This l...
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About the author
Arthur Machen, born Arthur Llewellyn Jones on March 3, 1863, in Caerleon, Wales, was a master of supernatural fiction and an influential figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His early life in the mystical Welsh countryside profoundly shaped his literary imagination, infusing his works with a rich sense of folklore and the uncanny.Machen's most celebrated works, such as "The Great God Pan" and "The Hill of Dreams," delve into themes of hidden realities and the thin veil between the mundane and the mystical. His writing style, characterized by lush prose and an eerie atmosphere, has left an indelible mark on the genre of weird fiction. Machen's stories often explore the idea that ancient, otherworldly forces lurk just beneath the surface of everyday life, a notion that resonated with the anxieties of his time and continues to captivate modern readers.Controversy surrounded Machen's work, particularly "The Great God Pan," which was deemed scandalous and morally corrupt by Victorian standards due to its explicit content and themes of sexual transgression. Despite—or perhaps because of—this notoriety, the novella garnered a cult following and influenced a generation of writers, including H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King, and Guillermo del Toro.Machen was also a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, an esoteric society that included notable figures like W.B. Yeats and Aleister Crowley. His involvement in occult practices and his fascination with mysticism and the supernatural permeate his literary output, offering readers a glimpse into the esoteric undercurrents of his era.Arthur Machen's legacy endures as a pioneer of supernatural fiction, whose works continue to inspire and unsettle, reminding us of the mysterious and often terrifying unknown that lies just beyond our perception.
Arthur Machen, born Arthur Llewellyn Jones on March 3, 1863, in Caerleon, Wales, was a master of supernatural fiction and an influential figure in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His early life in the mystical Welsh countryside profoundly shaped his literary imagination, infusing his work...
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