Robert Adam Gilmour
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Yes, I still have it.
Arthur Machen
- Thread starter Malone
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcc3jFdq2J8
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Sad Marsh Ghost
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I have seen many readers, including the great Lovecraft himself, say that the girl in the White People literally drank poison to kill herself. I do not agree with this interpretation. I think they're missing that the "poisoned herself in time" remark is a reference to the analogy earlier in the story of poison locked behind a cabinet for safety purposes. The girl came to a sticky end due to her dabbling with dark forces. It was all fun and games for a while and then "in time" got nasty. Any specifics beyond that are spurious. I sometimes wonder if Machen himself knew for sure.
It's pretty weird to me that Lovecraft -- the man most responsible for this story being so popular today -- somehow misunderstood the story, though he no doubt appreciated it for the right reasons in terms of its atmosphere and artistry. As with my favourite Machen works the overall plot isn't that important and quite reactionary if put under scrutiny. The mood and imagery are everything.
It's pretty weird to me that Lovecraft -- the man most responsible for this story being so popular today -- somehow misunderstood the story, though he no doubt appreciated it for the right reasons in terms of its atmosphere and artistry. As with my favourite Machen works the overall plot isn't that important and quite reactionary if put under scrutiny. The mood and imagery are everything.
Robert Adam Gilmour
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxJ_CCWUXMo
Zaharoff
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Friends Of Arthur Machen
I am probably speaking to an informed audience here at TLO.
Last year the Friends of Arthur Machen had his gravestone cleaned and re-incised.
Sandy Robertson graciously allowed me to share his photo below.
(Note: I resized it and sharpened it to better show online.)
The Friends are always welcoming of new members. A subscription includes two issues of Faunus.
http://www.arthurmachen.org.uk/
I am probably speaking to an informed audience here at TLO.
Last year the Friends of Arthur Machen had his gravestone cleaned and re-incised.
Sandy Robertson graciously allowed me to share his photo below.
(Note: I resized it and sharpened it to better show online.)
The Friends are always welcoming of new members. A subscription includes two issues of Faunus.
http://www.arthurmachen.org.uk/
Unwary Traveller
Acolyte
Don't think this has been mentioned - an upcoming publication from Hippocampus Press - a book of essays by Machen titled "Hieroglyphics and Other Essays." From S.T. Joshi's blog (Nov 7 2020)
Also a couple of Machen Youtube selections:
Collecting Arthur Machen, part one, by R.B. Russell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B4S_Kfq3L8
There are seven parts, giving an in-depth look through Machen's publications in chronological order. Even if you aren't especially interested in book collecting as such, there is a lot of fascinating biographical info here. Some very interesting videos on this channel - at first I didn't grasp the Tartarus connection but seeing "Current 93 live" in the list of videos made me suspect it was a TLO member at least!
I stumbled across a fascinating lecture series on weird fiction. Worth watching the whole series but this one is specifically about Machen:
Weird Fiction - Arthur Machen - The Great God Pan (Michael Moir)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WksGtYQvWA
This series on weird lit was apparently an optional online summer course offered as part of a university literature programme. The whole channel is full of lecture content on a wide range of literature. This particular series on weird fiction is viewing it as a kind of meld of the decadent and the gothic. He does refer to Machen's mysticism somewhat dismissively (it is key to understanding Machen I think) but definitely worth watching.
A Jan 25 update includes this in a list of upcoming publications described as "imminent".
Also a couple of Machen Youtube selections:
Collecting Arthur Machen, part one, by R.B. Russell
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B4S_Kfq3L8
There are seven parts, giving an in-depth look through Machen's publications in chronological order. Even if you aren't especially interested in book collecting as such, there is a lot of fascinating biographical info here. Some very interesting videos on this channel - at first I didn't grasp the Tartarus connection but seeing "Current 93 live" in the list of videos made me suspect it was a TLO member at least!
I stumbled across a fascinating lecture series on weird fiction. Worth watching the whole series but this one is specifically about Machen:
Weird Fiction - Arthur Machen - The Great God Pan (Michael Moir)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WksGtYQvWA
This series on weird lit was apparently an optional online summer course offered as part of a university literature programme. The whole channel is full of lecture content on a wide range of literature. This particular series on weird fiction is viewing it as a kind of meld of the decadent and the gothic. He does refer to Machen's mysticism somewhat dismissively (it is key to understanding Machen I think) but definitely worth watching.
Nemonymous
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THE GREAT RETURN by Arthur Machen
“Coincidence and chance and unsearchable causes will now and again make clouds that are undeniable fiery dragons, and potatoes that resemble eminent statesmen exactly and minutely in every feature, and rocks that are like eagles and lions. All this is nothing; it is when you get your set of odd shapes and find that they fit into one another, and at last that they are but parts of a large design; it is then that research grows interesting and indeed amazing, it is then that one queer form confirms the other, that the whole plan displayed justifies, corroborates, explains each separate piece.”
…and this strikes me as gestalt real-time reviewing of literature in a hindsight nutshell, not a jigsaw solution, as Machen may suggest consciously, but an epiphany that he knows from within his complex soul or simply from within his simple instinct. Beyond the “Iconostasis” and any “tmesis” mentioned here, we follow a thread from Protestants through Catholic incense within a Welsh chapel into a cross between “Freemasons” and “Fishermen”, towards the holy “Graal”, the latter two terms at least making me ask the eternal question (that earlier ‘question of time’ above in this review): ‘Is it a Tench?’ — and giving me the certainty I now have that Aickman (based at least partly on the “evidence” of this being his choice of such a Machen work for the climax of this anthology) was imbued with the works of John Cowper Powys, even though, I am told, there is no evidence to this fact in Aickman’s memorabilia. But mere evidence (!) is not everything, as this Machen work proves. A visit to Llantrisant by the narrator during the other ‘lights’ of the then world war to sort out a personal ‘jigsaw’ about what the Welsh natives there had experienced — those “mysteries in sound” of bell or bells, that gorgeous light of rosy fire above the sea, “fragments of dreams” that Machen miraculously expresses though the narrator, the changes in the perfumes of their local church and in their churchman himself. The Dream of Olwen and other healings. References to Railers and Dissenters. The “paradise” in meat and drink, and in many other things. A farmer who is a “little black man” and the arrival of forgiveness in bitter local disputes. The Rosicrucian triangulation as seen by the consumptive Olwen during her healing. A rose on fire. Is this all a “collective hallucination” or the genuine pervasive “glow” of transfiguration, an epiphany beyond our understanding? Reading this story makes you understand, though, indeed makes you KNOW — ironically despite what it says in its very last sentence! Aickman’s swords in our side?
Full context on above HERE
“Coincidence and chance and unsearchable causes will now and again make clouds that are undeniable fiery dragons, and potatoes that resemble eminent statesmen exactly and minutely in every feature, and rocks that are like eagles and lions. All this is nothing; it is when you get your set of odd shapes and find that they fit into one another, and at last that they are but parts of a large design; it is then that research grows interesting and indeed amazing, it is then that one queer form confirms the other, that the whole plan displayed justifies, corroborates, explains each separate piece.”
…and this strikes me as gestalt real-time reviewing of literature in a hindsight nutshell, not a jigsaw solution, as Machen may suggest consciously, but an epiphany that he knows from within his complex soul or simply from within his simple instinct. Beyond the “Iconostasis” and any “tmesis” mentioned here, we follow a thread from Protestants through Catholic incense within a Welsh chapel into a cross between “Freemasons” and “Fishermen”, towards the holy “Graal”, the latter two terms at least making me ask the eternal question (that earlier ‘question of time’ above in this review): ‘Is it a Tench?’ — and giving me the certainty I now have that Aickman (based at least partly on the “evidence” of this being his choice of such a Machen work for the climax of this anthology) was imbued with the works of John Cowper Powys, even though, I am told, there is no evidence to this fact in Aickman’s memorabilia. But mere evidence (!) is not everything, as this Machen work proves. A visit to Llantrisant by the narrator during the other ‘lights’ of the then world war to sort out a personal ‘jigsaw’ about what the Welsh natives there had experienced — those “mysteries in sound” of bell or bells, that gorgeous light of rosy fire above the sea, “fragments of dreams” that Machen miraculously expresses though the narrator, the changes in the perfumes of their local church and in their churchman himself. The Dream of Olwen and other healings. References to Railers and Dissenters. The “paradise” in meat and drink, and in many other things. A farmer who is a “little black man” and the arrival of forgiveness in bitter local disputes. The Rosicrucian triangulation as seen by the consumptive Olwen during her healing. A rose on fire. Is this all a “collective hallucination” or the genuine pervasive “glow” of transfiguration, an epiphany beyond our understanding? Reading this story makes you understand, though, indeed makes you KNOW — ironically despite what it says in its very last sentence! Aickman’s swords in our side?
Full context on above HERE
Zaharoff
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Faunus
The most recent installment of Faunus arrived in my mailbox yesterday.
Of particular note is a lengthy essay on Machen's "Queer Things" column for the Observer (late 1920's).
By Nick Wagstaff, the article is 20+ pages, full of excerpts, as well as replies (rebukes) from readers.
The most recent installment of Faunus arrived in my mailbox yesterday.
Of particular note is a lengthy essay on Machen's "Queer Things" column for the Observer (late 1920's).
By Nick Wagstaff, the article is 20+ pages, full of excerpts, as well as replies (rebukes) from readers.
paeng
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Zaharoff
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Machen Toulet
In a recent Faunus (#45), Sam Kunkel translated and presented a series of surviving letters between Arthur Machen and Paul-John Toulet. The latter would be his first translator of "The Great God Pan."
Below are two pages for the curious.
Faunus is part of the Friends Of Arthur Machen.
In a recent Faunus (#45), Sam Kunkel translated and presented a series of surviving letters between Arthur Machen and Paul-John Toulet. The latter would be his first translator of "The Great God Pan."
Below are two pages for the curious.
Faunus is part of the Friends Of Arthur Machen.
Attachments
Knygathin
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Is he speaking typical Welsh? Is this how it flows? I don't hear a particular dialect. Sounds rather neutral.
Souphead
Mystic
"Typical Welsh" - ha! Good one. He does sound like someone from the South half of Wales. The "Typical Welsh" you are thinking of is more likely someone from the North half of Wales. First Google link I found that looks at least half right - British Library
Zaharoff
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Friends Of Arthur Machen Update
https://arthurmachen.co.uk/news/
Faunus: Now Available for Digital Download
March 08, 2025
We are delighted to announce that Faunus, our twice-yearly journal, will now be available to download in PDF format for the first time. In an exciting expansion of member benefits, every issue - dating all the way back to the very first edition published in 1998 — will be accessible through a brand-new members-only section of this website, allowing Friends to explore the full archive at their leisure.
Bringing this collection together has been a remarkable journey. In the process, we discovered that many of the early editions existed only in historic electronic formats that required complex file recovery, complete redesign, and thorough proof-reading. Thanks to the tireless dedication of Ray Russell and John Ricketts, these lost editions have now been faithfully reconstructed and are available for immediate download, alongside the entire back catalogue of Faunus.
Members will receive an email shortly with details on how to access this new section of the website. Named The Friends' Area, this space will not only house the Faunus archive but will also serve as a platform for digital exclusives, including essays, videos, and audio recordings.
We hope this new resource enhances your membership experience and look forward to sharing even more exclusive content in the future!
https://arthurmachen.co.uk/news/
Faunus: Now Available for Digital Download
March 08, 2025
We are delighted to announce that Faunus, our twice-yearly journal, will now be available to download in PDF format for the first time. In an exciting expansion of member benefits, every issue - dating all the way back to the very first edition published in 1998 — will be accessible through a brand-new members-only section of this website, allowing Friends to explore the full archive at their leisure.
Bringing this collection together has been a remarkable journey. In the process, we discovered that many of the early editions existed only in historic electronic formats that required complex file recovery, complete redesign, and thorough proof-reading. Thanks to the tireless dedication of Ray Russell and John Ricketts, these lost editions have now been faithfully reconstructed and are available for immediate download, alongside the entire back catalogue of Faunus.
Members will receive an email shortly with details on how to access this new section of the website. Named The Friends' Area, this space will not only house the Faunus archive but will also serve as a platform for digital exclusives, including essays, videos, and audio recordings.
We hope this new resource enhances your membership experience and look forward to sharing even more exclusive content in the future!
Nemonymous
Grimscribe
The 1990 Brainwright itself chooses Arthur Machen on which to base its next self-destructive story: https://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/the-places-that-were-always-there/