Machen's weird tales of the creepy and fantastic finally come to Penguin Classics. With an introduction from S.T. Joshi, editor of American Supernatural Tales, The White People and Other Weird Stories is the perfect introduction to the father of weird fiction. The title story "The White People" is an exercise in the bizarre leaving the reader disoriented and on edge. From the first page, Machen turns even fundamental truths upside-down, as his character Ambrose explains, "there have been those who have sounded the very depths of sin, who all their lives have never done an 'ill deed'" setting the stage for a tale entirely without logic.

About the Author
Arthur Machen (1863-1947) was born in Monmouthshire in Wales, a region whose associations with Celtic, Roman and medieval history would make a strong impression on him. Too poor to attend university, he moved to London in 1881 and worked as a journalist, tutor and publisher's clerk, finding time to write at night. The Great God Pan was published in 1894, and despite widespread criticism for its decadent style and sexual content, was Machen's first popular success. In later life, he became an actor and pursued his interests in Celtic Christianity and the legend of the Grail while continuing to write fiction and journalism.

Reviews
"The pleasure of rediscovering these stories or experiencing them for the first time is sure to be amplified by the insightful foreword by filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth) and the excellent introduction by S. T. Joshi." - Craig Smith

"As a selection of 'weird' short stories, The White People is a fine example of the precursor to what has become a popular subgenre of fantasy fiction, as well as a window on to the spiritual concerns of the Welsh author Arthur Machen (1863-1947): the veil separating the phenomenal world and the supernal realm is thin. While we may have forgotten the rituals, spells, charms and wards once used to commune with the spirits, the spirits have not forgotten us."

- Times Literary Supplement



Book Information
ISBN 9780143105596
Author Arthur Machen
Format Paperback
Page Count 416
Imprint Penguin Classics
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Weight(grams) 309g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 130mm * 18mm