🩸 Horror Fiction

The Terror

✍️ Arthur Machen
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$6.89
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A first-person account of a hidden supernatural threat behind WWI trenches.

The narrative focuses on the period from October 1914 to July 1916, a time when lines remained static for reasons beyond typical supply chain issues. Machen argues that while the nation worked energetically to mend shortages in munitions and personnel, an infinitely greater moment loomed behind these struggles. The author uses the death of a prominent airman as a starting point to discuss delays in the war. He notes that he lacks specific dates for this incident because he does not preserve cuttings. This omission highlights the informal nature of his record. The text implies that overcoming this new danger allowed the secret to finally emerge, shifting the focus from standard military logistics to an extraordinary circumstance.

Key Themes
Western Front immobility death of airman new incredible danger
Literary Context

The book addresses the Western Front during the First World War, specifically the period between October 1914 and July 1916. It reflects on the national effort to mend shortages in men and munitions while hinting at a supernatural undercurrent affecting the war's progress.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
H.P. Lovecraft · M.R. James · Shirley Jackson · Robert Aickman
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2017 📖 98 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781544714639

📝 Description: The Terror

Arthur Machen presents a narrative framed as a personal record regarding the Western Front during the First World War. The text addresses the immobility of military lines between October 1914 and July 1916, distinguishing ordinary logistical failures from a hidden threat. The author clarifies that while shortages of men and shells were real issues, they were manageable compared to an incredible danger that required secrecy. The story begins with the writer’s attention being drawn to reports concerning the death of a well-known airman. Although he admits to not keeping clippings, which prevents him from citing exact dates for this event, the account serves as the catalyst for revealing a secret that was previously too dangerous to share. The narrative suggests that this new peril has now ceased to exist, allowing the truth to be told. This work appeals to readers interested in early twentieth-century military history and supernatural fiction. It suits those who enjoy stories where historical events intersect with unexplained phenomena. Readers seeking straightforward tactical analysis or purely factual military records may find the supernatural elements distracting. The text relies on a first-person perspective that blends personal reflection with broader historical observations about the war effort.

💎 Our verdict on The Terror

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Arthur Machen crafts a compelling narrative that recontextualizes the immobility of the Western Front through a supernatural lens. The text effectively distinguishes ordinary logistical failures from an incredible danger, using the death of a prominent airman as a catalyst for revelation. This approach suits readers who appreciate historical events intersecting with unexplained phenomena. However, those seeking straightforward tactical analysis may find the supernatural elements distracting. The reliance on a first-person perspective blends personal reflection with broader observations, creating a tone that is both intimate and ominous. It stands as a distinctive contribution to early twentieth-century horror fiction.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the intersection of military history and supernatural fiction will find this narrative compelling. It offers a unique perspective on the static Western Front, suggesting that logistical delays were caused by hidden threats rather than mere supply chain failures. The book appeals to those who enjoy first-person accounts that blend personal reflection with broader historical observations. It is suitable for audiences seeking stories where unexplained phenomena disrupt standard tactical analysis. By revealing a secret previously too dangerous to share, it provides insight into the psychological weight of the war effort without relying on straightforward factual records.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Arthur Machen crafts a compelling narrative that recontextualizes the immobility of the Western Front through a supernatural lens. The text effectively distinguishes ordinary logistical failures from an incredible danger, using the death of a prominent airman as a catalyst for revelation. This approach suits readers who appreciate historical events intersecting with unexplained phenomena. However, those seeking straightforward tactical analysis may find the supernatural elements distracting. The reliance on a first-person perspective blends personal reflection with broader observations, creating a tone that is both intimate and ominous. It stands as a distinctive contribution to early twentieth-century horror fiction.

✍️ More books by this author Arthur Machen

Le cercle vert: suivi de N et autres recits
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Arthur Machen
Le cercle vert: suivi de N et autres recits
$33.50
86
Read →
The Three Impostors; or, The Transmutations (Cram Edition)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Arthur Machen
The Three Impostors; or, The Transmutations (Cram Edition)
$20.95
86
Read →
El pueblo blanco y otros relatos de lo innombrable
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Arthur Machen
El pueblo blanco y otros relatos de lo innombrable
$15.37
86
Read →
The House of Souls (Cram Edition)
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Arthur Machen
The House of Souls (Cram Edition)
$23.95
81
Read →
The House of Souls
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Arthur Machen
The House of Souls
$31.95
86
Read →
The Terror
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
Arthur Machen
The Terror
$15.95
86
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Memento Mori
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Paul Holbrook
Memento Mori
$13.94
78
Read →
Mona Livelong: Paranormal Detective II: The Case of The Powerless Witch
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Quinton Veal
Mona Livelong: Paranormal Detective II: The Case of The Powerless Witch
$12.00
78
Read →
The Manitou
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jessie Cox
The Manitou
$10.50
78
Read →
The Phantom of the Opera
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Alexander Teixeira De Mattos
The Phantom of the Opera
$17.00
81
Read →
The Trial
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
David Wyllie
The Trial
$10.25
81
Read →
Prey Until Dawn
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Daryn Guarino
Prey Until Dawn
$50.00
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
The House of Souls ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Arthur Machen
The House of Souls
$7.49
86
Read →
The Hill of Dreams ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Arthur Machen
The Hill of Dreams
$7.49
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist