White People: and Other Weird Stories

Name: White People: and Other Weird Stories
Price: 18.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781963956504

✍️ Arthur Machen

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$18.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Arthur Machen's collection of late 1890s weird fiction and related prose works.

This edition gathers Arthur Machen's White People along with companion pieces from his broader novel project. The central tale begins with a conversation about evil that leads to the discovery of a diary. A young girl records her encounters with black magic and folklore in rural settings. Her nurse acts as a guide into these secret realms. The text uses simple language to describe supernatural impressions. Other works included here expand on these ideas. A Fragment of Life offers a novella-length exploration of similar concepts. Ornaments in Jade adds prose poems from 1924. These materials show the evolution of Machen's style and thematic interests over time.

Key Themes

black magic folklore supernatural fiction

Literary Context

Arthur Machen wrote the title story in the late 1890s during his work on a projected novel. This period saw growing interest in occultism and folklore in Britain. The later prose poems appeared in 1924, showing the long-term impact of these early experiments in weird fiction.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

M.R. James · H.P. Lovecraft · Algernon Blackwood · Gothic ghost stories

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Ancient Wisdom Publications 📅 2024 📖 66 pages 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781963956504

📝 Description: White People: and Other Weird Stories

Arthur Machen presents a collection of strange tales in White People: and Other Weird Stories. The title story originates from the late 1890s as part of his efforts to shape a larger novel project. This narrative involves a dialogue between two men discussing evil, which prompts one to share a mysterious Green Book. This book is actually a young girl's diary detailing her eerie experiences in the countryside and her initiation into folklore and black magic by her nurse. The volume also includes related works that grew from this same creative period. Readers will find A Fragment of Life, a novella that explores similar themes of hidden worlds. The collection further contains Ornaments in Jade, a set of prose poems published later in 1924. These pieces offer evocative prose that captures the ingenuous perspective of the young narrator. Machen qualifies as a key figure in gothic and supernatural fiction for his ability to weave folklore into everyday settings. This book suits readers interested in late Victorian occultism and the roots of modern weird fiction. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or clear moral resolutions. The text relies on atmospheric description rather than plot-driven suspense. The inclusion of Ornaments in Jade provides a poetic counterpoint to the narrative prose of the main story.

💎 Our verdict on White People: and Other Weird Stories

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Machen excels at weaving folklore into everyday settings, creating an eerie atmosphere that defines this collection. The title story’s reliance on simple language to describe supernatural impressions offers a distinct, haunting tone. While it may not satisfy readers seeking clear moral resolutions or rapid pacing, its strength lies in its evocative prose and exploration of black magic initiation. The companion pieces highlight Machen’s stylistic evolution, making this a valuable study for enthusiasts of gothic fiction. It suits those who value mood and mystery over conventional narrative structure.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers interested in the roots of modern weird fiction and late Victorian occultism will find this collection rewarding. It offers a unique window into Arthur Machen’s creative process, tracing the evolution of his thematic interests from diary-based narratives to prose poetry. Those who appreciate atmospheric description over plot-driven suspense will enjoy the ingenuous perspective of the young narrator and the evocative exploration of hidden worlds. The inclusion of diverse works like 'Ornaments in Jade' provides a poetic counterpoint, appealing to those seeking slow-burn supernatural tales rather than fast-paced action or clear moral resolutions.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Machen excels at weaving folklore into everyday settings, creating an eerie atmosphere that defines this collection. The title story’s reliance on simple language to describe supernatural impressions offers a distinct, haunting tone. While it may not satisfy readers seeking clear moral resolutions or rapid pacing, its strength lies in its evocative prose and exploration of black magic initiation. The companion pieces highlight Machen’s stylistic evolution, making this a valuable study for enthusiasts of gothic fiction. It suits those who value mood and mystery over conventional narrative structure.