Arthur Machen, página 2 de 5

An experiment into the sources of the human brain through the mind of a young woman has gone horribly wrong. She has seen the great god Pan and will die giving birth to a daughter.Twenty years later, feted society hostess Helen Vaughan becomes the source of much fevered speculation. Many men are infactuated with her beauty, but great beauty has a price, and sometimes you have to pay with the only thing you have left...The Great God Pan was a sensation when published in 1894. Its author, Arthur Machen, was a struggling unknown writer living in London. He had translated Casanovas memoirs and was living on a small inheritance. He immediately became one of the most talked-about writers of the last years of the nineteenth century, while the publications marked the start of his ongoing influence on modern fantasy and horror.

A caballo entre el cuento de aventuras y la narración de horror cósmico, la obra de ARTHUR MACHEN (1860-1947) dio un nuevo rumbo al relato fantástico y fue precedente inmediato del género de terror cultivado por H. P. Lovecraft y la escuela de los Mitos de Cthulhu. LOS TRES IMPOSTORES es un ingenioso encadenamiento de episodios perfectamente trabados, llenos de sorprendentes hallazgos y narrados en un estilo depurado. En el marco de un Londres propicio a todos los azares, los hilos del relato van formando una complicada trama cuyo desenlace viene a cerrar el circulo abierto al comienzo de la narracion. La obra incluye algunos episodios tan famosos como La novela del sello negro o La novela del polvo blanco, de presencia casi obligada en las antologias del cuento de terror.A caballo entre el cuento de aventuras y la narración de horror cósmico, la obra de ARTHUR MACHEN (1860-1947) dio un nuevo rumbo al relato fantástico y fue precedente inmediato del género de terror cultivado por H. P. Lovecraft y la escuela de los Mitos de Cthulhu. LOS TRES IMPOSTORES es un ingenioso encadenamiento de episodios perfectamente trabados, llenos de sorprendentes hallazgos y narrados en un estilo depurado. En el marco de un Londres propicio a todos los azares, los hilos del relato van formando una complicada trama cuyo desenlace viene a cerrar el circulo abierto al comienzo de la narracion. La obra incluye algunos episodios tan famosos como La novela del sello negro o La novela del polvo blanco, de presencia casi obligada en las antologias del cuento de terror.

A caballo entre el relato de aventuras y el cuento de horror cósmico, la obra de Arthur Machen (1860-1947) constituye un precedente inmediato del género de terror cultivado por la es-cuela de los Mitos de Cthulhu. Unos acontecimientos inexplicables y de una violencia salvaje, el poder contagioso de las fuerzas oscuras del mal y el alarmismo del clima belico se funden en una oscura y enigmatica trama, susceptibles de las mas diversas conjeturas e interpretaciones.

Como afirmó en su día H. P. Lovecraft, la obra de ARTHUR MACHEN (1863-1947) abrió nuevos caminos a la historia de los relatos de miedo cósmico. Novela publicada en 1917, EL TERROR, ambientada en una region apartada del oeste de Gales durante la Primera Guerra Mundial, logra una perfecta simbiosis de fantasia y realidad, leyenda y cotidianidad. Unos acontecimientos inexplicables y de una violencia salvaje, el poder contagioso de las fuerzas oscuras del mal y el alarmismo del clima belico se funden en una oscura y enigmatica trama, susceptible de las mas diversas conjeturas e interpretaciones. Otras obras de Machen en esta coleccion: Los tres impostores (BT 8166).Como afirmó en su día H. P. Lovecraft, la obra de ARTHUR MACHEN (1863-1947) abrió nuevos caminos a la historia de los relatos de miedo cósmico. Novela publicada en 1917, EL TERROR, ambientada en una region apartada del oeste de Gales durante la Primera Guerra Mundial, logra una perfecta simbiosis de fantasia y realidad, leyenda y cotidianidad. Unos acontecimientos inexplicables y de una violencia salvaje, el poder contagioso de las fuerzas oscuras del mal y el alarmismo del clima belico se funden en una oscura y enigmatica trama, susceptible de las mas diversas conjeturas e interpretaciones. Otras obras de Machen en esta coleccion: Los tres impostores (BT 8166).

Arthur Machen (1863-1947), al igual que su contemporáneo Lord Dunsany, fue un obstinado soñador que creó una de las obras más líricas y exquisitas que ha dado hasta la fecha el denominado género de terror. Tutor, traductor, corrector de pruebas, catalogador de libros raros, actor de teatro y sobre todo periodista, Machen traslado al papel sus arrebatados y melancolicos sueños con esa rara intensidad y soledad propias de la poesia, tratando de desvelar los enigmas que se ocultan mas alla de la existencia y fuera del tiempo y logrando que la belleza y el horror suenen en sus relatos al unisono. A diferencia de Le Fanu o M.R. James, Machen, inspirado por su origen celta, no escribio sobre fantasmas sino mas bien sobre fuerzas elementales, maleficios que sobreviven o poderes malignos invocados por el folklore y los cuentos de hadas, como la malevola gente pequeña, esa enigmatica y horrible raza pre-celtica, negra y achaparrada, forzada a vivir en las entrañas de la tierra, donde todavia practica sus infames ritos sacrificiales. El presente volumen recoge los siguientes relatos: El pueblo blanco, Un chico listo, Los arqueros, El gran retorno, La piramide resplandeciente, Los niños felices, De las profundidades de la tierra, La habitacion acogedora, N, y Los niños de la charca, que tanto influyeron en el maestro del horror sobrenatural, H.P. Lovecraft.

Arthur Machen (1863-1947), al igual que su contemporáneo Lord Dunsany , fue un obstinado soñador que creó una de las obras más líricas y exquisitas que ha dado hasta la fecha el denominado género de terror. Tutor, traductor, corrector de pruebas, catalogador de libros raros, actor de teatro y sobre todo periodista, Machen traslado al papel sus arrebatados y melancolicos sueños con esa rara intensidad y soledad propias de la poesia, tratando de desvelar los enigmas que se ocultan mas alla de la existencia y fuera del tiempo y logrando que la belleza y el horror suenen en sus relatos al unisono. A diferencia de Le Fanu o M.R. James, Machen, inspirado por su origen celta, no escribio sobre fantasmas sino mas bien sobre fuerzas elementales, maleficios que sobreviven o poderes malignos invocados por el folklore y los cuentos de hadas, como los hermosos y juguetones seres que se le aparecen en el bosque a la protagonista de El pueblo blanco , probablemente el mejor relato sobrenatural del siglo, tal vez de la literatura en palabras de E.F. Bleiler ), o la malevola gente pequeña que hace acto de presencia tanto en El sello negro como en La piramide resplandeciente o en De las profundidades de la tierra , esa enigmatica y horrible raza pre-celtica, negra y achaparrada, forzada a vivir en las entrañas de la tierra, donde todavia practica sus infames ritos sacrificiales. La presente antologia recoge catorce relatos (algunos de ellos ineditos en castellano), lo mas granado y significativo de la ingente obra fantastica de Machen, que tanto influyo en el maestro del horror sobrenatural, H.P. Lovecraft.

A discussion between two men on the nature of evil leads one of them to reveal a mysterious diary in his possession. Written by a young girl in the care of a nurse, its pages detail a horrifying initiation into a world of witchcraft, folklore and ritual magic which may have culminated in tragedy.Originally published in 1904 and considered by E. F. Bleiler to be "probably the finest single supernatural story of the century, perhaps in the literature", this is one of Machens most celebrated stories, with its influence being seen in the works of genre greats such as H. P. Lovecraft (who called it "a triumph of skilful selectiveness and restraint") and T. E. D. Klein.

"I am glad you came, Clarke; very glad indeed. I was not sure you could spare the time.""I was able to make arrangements for a few days; things are not very lively just now. But have you no misgivings, Raymond? Is it absolutely safe?" The two men were slowly pacing the terrace in front of Dr. Raymonds house. The sun still hung above the western mountain-line, but it shone with a dull red glow that cast no shadows, and all the air was quiet; a sweet breath came from the great wood on the hillside above, and with it, at intervals, the soft murmuring call of the wild doves. Below, in the long lovely valley, the river wound in and out between the lonely hills, and, as the sun hovered and vanished into the west, a faint mist, pure white, began to rise from the hills. Dr. Raymond turned sharply to his friend. "Safe? Of course it is. In itself the operation is a perfectly simple one; any surgeon could do it.""And there is no danger at any other stage?""None; absolutely no physical danger whatsoever, I give you my word. You are always timid, Clarke, always; but you know my history. I have devoted myself to transcendental medicine for the last twenty years. I have heard myself called quack and charlatan and impostor, but all the while I knew I was on the right path. Five years ago I reached the goal, and since then every day has been a preparation for what we shall do tonight."

Sorcery and sanctity, said Ambrose, these are the only realities. Each is an ecstasy, a withdrawal from the common life. Cotgrave listened, interested. He had been brought by a friend to this mouldering house in a northern suburb, through an old garden to the room where Ambrose the recluse dozed and dreamed over his books. Yes, he went on, magic is justified of her children. There are many, I think, who eat dry crusts and drink water, with a joy infinitely sharper than anything within the experience of the "practical" epicure.You are speaking of the saints?Yes, and of the sinners, too. I think you are falling into the very general error of confining the spiritual world to the supremely good; but the supremely wicked, necessarily, have their portion in it. The merely carnal, sensual man can no more be a great sinner than he can be a great saint. Most of us are just indifferent, mixed-up creatures; we muddle through the world without realizing the meaning and the inner sense of things, and, consequently, our wickedness and our goodness are alike second-rate, unimportant.

"And Mr. Joseph Walters is going to stay the night?" said the smooth clean-shaven man to his companion, an individual not of the most charming appearance, who had chosen to make his ginger-colored mustache merge into a pair of short chin-whiskers. The two stood at the hall door, grinning evilly at each other; and presently a girl ran quickly down, the stairs, and joined them. She was quite young, with a quaint and piquant rather than a beautiful face, and her eyes were of a shining hazel. She held a neat paper parcel in one hand, and laughed with her friends. "Leave the door open," said the smooth man to the other, as they were going out. "Yes, by," he went on with an ugly oath. "Well leave the front door on the jar. He may like to see company, you know." The other man looked doubtfully about him. "Is it quite prudent do you think, Davies?" he said, pausing with his hand on the mouldering knocker. "I dont think Lipsius would like it. What do you say, Helen?"

In "Arthur Machen: 30+ Horror Classics, Supernatural Mysteries & Fantasy Books," readers are invited to explore a compendium of Machens seminal works that straddle the boundaries of horror and fantasy. Machens distinctive literary style is characterized by lush, evocative prose and a deep sense of the mystical and supernatural, capturing the ambiguous relationship between mankind and the unknown. His stories often reflect the anxieties of late Victorian society, immersing the reader in a world where the fantastical intertwines with the ordinary, challenging perceptions of reality and illuminating the dark recesses of the human psyche. Arthur Machen, a Welsh author born in 1863, is considered a pioneer of the horror genre, significantly influencing later writers such as H.P. Lovecraft. His own experiencesgrowing up near the haunting landscapes of rural Wales and experiencing the tension between the spiritual and material worldsgreatly informed his writings. Machens unwavering belief in the existence of supernatural forces drove his ambition to depict a world where the extraordinary could emerge from the ordinary, making his works resonate with readers seeking deeper truths. This anthology is a must-read for fans of horror and fantasy literature, offering a comprehensive overview of Machens influential oeuvre. It not only revitalizes classics but also serves as an essential resource for those keen on understanding the evolution of supernatural fiction. Engaging with Machens works will enrich your appreciation of the genre and inspire a profound reflection on the mysteries that lie beyond the veil of everyday life.In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience:- A comprehensive Introduction outlines these selected works unifying features, themes, or stylistic evolutions.- A Historical Context section situates the works in their broader erasocial currents, cultural trends, and key events that underpin their creation.- A concise Synopsis (Selection) offers an accessible overview of the included texts, helping readers navigate plotlines and main ideas without revealing critical twists.- A unified Analysis examines recurring motifs and stylistic hallmarks across the collection, tying the stories together while spotlighting the different works strengths.- Reflection questions inspire deeper contemplation of the authors overarching message, inviting readers to draw connections among different texts and relate them to modern contexts.- Lastly, our handpicked Memorable Quotes distill pivotal lines and turning points, serving as touchstones for the collections central themes.