Arthur Machen: A Novelist of Ecstasy and Sin / With Two Uncollected Poems by Arthur Machen

Name: Arthur Machen: A Novelist of Ecstasy and Sin / With Two Uncollected Poems by Arthur Machen
Author: Vincent Starrett

By Vincent Starrett

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Essays, Letters & Speeches

About This Book

The essay profiles Arthur Machen's literary career and distinctive imagination, recounting his early successes and later obscurity, the wartime controversy over a fictional account, and a steady, modest output. It analyzes recurring themes: an obsession with a liminal realm between dreams and death, pagan ecstasy, and the survival of ancient rites; a moral vision that frames sin and sanctity as competing mystical realities; and techniques of reticence and suggestive horror exemplified in stories such as The Great God Pan, The House of Souls, and The Hill of Dreams. The critic argues that Machen's work privileges spiritual and psychological mystery over conventional plot and popular renown.

About the Author

Vincent Starrett

Vincent Starrett was an American author and literary critic known for his contributions to the genre of fantasy and his explorations of the macabre. He is particularly recognized for his work "Arthur Machen: A Novelist of Ecstasy and Sin," which delves into the life and writings of the influential Welsh author Arthur Machen. Starrett's writing often reflects a fascination with the mysterious and the supernatural, as seen in his other notable works such as "Missing Men" and "The Escape of Alice: A Christmas Fantasy." His literary legacy includes a blend of critical analysis and imaginative storytelling, making him a distinctive voice in early 20th-century literature.