Arthur Machen has finally been recognized as a key contributor to the glittering age of British Decadence. Best known for the novella
The Great God Pan
and for his formative influence on weird fiction, in fact much of Machen's writing profoundly challenges literary and cultural convention. From the demonic horror of "The Recluse of Bayswater" to the plush occultism of
The Hill of Dreams
and the prose poems of
Ornaments in Jade
, this selection of works from throughout Machen's career brings to life his unique symbolist aesthetics and spiritual philosophy.
This is the first edition of Machen's work to foreground his Decadent and occult writing. It includes a scholarly introduction, extensive annotations, and revealing contextual materials. Engaging with the gems of Machen's oeuvre, the collection invites readers to open their minds to a reality beyond the veil, the reality - in Machen's view - that matters most.