Title: The White People and Other Weird Stories
Author: Arthur Machen
First published January 1, 1904
377 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780143105596 (ISBN10: 0143105590)
Rating: 4.01
Overview
Arthur Machen is hailed as one of the greatest writers of weird fiction, and his works are often compared to those of Edgar Allan Poe and H.P. Lovecraft. In this collection of stories, readers will be taken on a journey through the bizarre and macabre, exploring the depths of human depravity and the unknown.
From the mind-bending title story, which will leave readers questioning their own sanity, to the haunting and unforgettable “The Great God Pan,” Machen’s mastery of the genre is on full display. With his unique blend of Celtic Christianity, the Holy Grail legend, and a deep understanding of the human psyche, Machen creates a world that is both terrifying and beautiful.
This collection is the perfect introduction to the work of a true master of horror.
About the Author
Arthur Machen was a talented Welsh writer during the 1890s. His fiction, which often had supernatural, fantasy, and horror elements, was highly influential.
While his long story The Great God Pan made him famous during his lifetime, it is his masterpiece, The Hill of Dreams, that is most revered. Additionally, he was a key figure in the creation of the Angels of Mons legend.
Machen received an excellent classical education at Hereford Cathedral School, but was unable to attend university due to his family’s financial situation. In London, he attempted to study medicine but was not accepted.
Instead, Machen pursued a literary career, publishing a long poem called “Eleusinia” in 1881. Despite living in relative poverty, he worked as a journalist, clerk, and tutor while writing in the evenings and exploring London on long walks.
In 1884, Machen published his second work, a pastiche, and secured work as a cataloguer and magazine editor. He also became a translator from French, producing spirited English translations of works by Marguerite de Navarre, Béroalde de Verville, and others.
Around 1890, Machen began publishing in literary magazines, drawing inspiration from Robert Louis Stevenson’s work. His first major success was The Great God Pan, published in 1894 by John Lane’s Keynotes Series.
The story was controversial, with many condemning its sexual and horrific content, but it sold well and went into a second edition.
Machen’s next work was The Three Impostors, a novel composed of interwoven tales, published in 1895. While it is now considered one of his best works, Machen struggled to find a publisher for new works after the scandal surrounding Oscar Wilde in the same year.
Despite this, he produced some of his greatest works over the next few years, including Hieroglyphics, The White People, The Inmost Light, and the stories that make up The House of Souls.
Editoral Review
Arthur Machen’s “The White People and Other Weird Stories” is a masterpiece in the genre of supernatural horror. First published in 1904, the book has retained its place as a classic of horror literature with its highly imaginative and atmospheric tales.
Machen, a Welsh author, was known for his mystical and occult writings that influenced the works of major horror writers like H.P. Lovecraft. “The White People and Other Weird Stories” is a collection of eight short stories that explore the boundaries between reality and the supernatural.
The stories take place in different settings, ranging from the Welsh countryside to the streets of London, and feature a mix of characters, including scholars, artists, and children. The common thread running through these stories is the inexplicable, the uncanny, and the eerie that permeate the lives of the characters.
One of the most striking features of Machen’s writing is his evocative language and vivid descriptions that bring the scenes and characters to life. From the misty moors to the dark alleys of the city, Machen’s prose is poetic and haunting, invoking a sense of dread and awe that stays with the reader long after the last page is turned.
The stories themselves are intriguing, with intricate plots and unpredictable twists. While some of the tales may seem dated with their Victorian era sensibilities, others display a timeless quality that resonates with contemporary readers.
Each story is a masterclass in pacing, building suspense and tension that culminate in satisfying and sometimes terrifying climaxes. That said, the overall quality of the stories in “The White People and Other Weird Stories” is somewhat uneven.
Some of the tales are more engaging than others, and some of the characters are more fully realized than others. Moreover, the stories sometimes indulge in excessive exposition and can be repetitive in their themes of the supernatural.
Despite these flaws, “The White People and Other Weird Stories” remains a must-read for fans of the horror genre. Machen’s influence on horror writing cannot be overstated, and his writing style is an inspiration to many contemporary writers.
The book offers a glimpse into a bygone era of horror writing that is both charming and terrifying. For readers who appreciate the macabre and the mystical, “The White People and Other Weird Stories” is a delight.
It is a haunting collection that will linger in the reader’s mind long after the final page is turned. The book is a testament to the power of storytelling to transport and terrify, and it deserves to be on the bookshelf of anyone who appreciates a spine-tingling read.
4/5 stars.
