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Post by Craig Herbertson on Jul 18, 2011 16:37:37 GMT
Not sure where to put this new gem from the Nosferatu collection as its been covered in the old vault. I've liberally borrowed from Calenture. The book is worth it merely for the cover of the corgi edition
Novel of the White Powder by Machen is three longish shorts.
The Novel of the White Powder
Although Mr Leicster's a handsome cheery chap with every outward sign of a promising career and a stable upper class background, he lives like a hermit. He's persuaded by his kindly sister to buck up his spirits and with a bit of Dr Haberden's advice he obtains some white powder from the local chemist. The daily dose turns out be less beneficial than expected.
To quote his sister: ' I cannot say I saw a face or any human likeness; a living thing, two eyes of burning flame glared at me, and they were in the midst of something as formless as my fear, the symbol and presence of all evil and all hideous corruption.'
Machen at his sublime best.
A Fragment of Life
Another nice young chap and his equally nice wife. This story is a marvelous example of an author totally in control. He contrasts the mundane with the wonderful, the prosaic and ordinary life against a backdrop of fairyland and evil. It's simply a superb story something in the vein of Dunsany with a nastier undercurrent.
The Great God Pan
So much has been written about this story it would be silly to repeat it. Quite wonderful.
I'd forgotten how much I like Machen until I read this. Made feel like an absolute lout with no ability to tell a tale.
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