The Great God Pan and Other Weird Tales

Written by Arthur Machen

Narrated by Peter Wickham

Dubbed the greatest horror story in English by Stephen King, The Great God Pan is an eerie and otherworldly mystery about a diabolical operation and its terrifying repercussions. After rescuing a young woman from the streets of London, Dr Raymond uses her as a test subject for brain surgery aimed at ‘lifting the veil’ of reality, to see the supernatural and the ‘great god Pan’. The operation is a disaster and leaves the subject lobotomised. Years later, London becomes afflicted with a strange series of male suicides connected to a beautiful but sinister woman named Helen. Just who is she, and what is her connection to Dr Raymond’s failed experiment? First published in 1890, The Great God Pan influenced many writers of the genre, including the unrivalled master H.P. Lovecraft. It makes perfect listening for a dark and rainy evening.
The collection also includes: The White People, The Green Book, The Inmost Light, The Novel of the Black Seal, The Novel of the White Powder, The Red Hand, The Shining Pyramid and A Fragment of Life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Naxos Audiobooks
• Release date: Jan 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781781981177

Arthur Machen

Arthur Machen (1863–1947) was a Welsh author and actor best known for his fantasy and horror fiction. He grew up with intentions of becoming a doctor, but followed a boyhood passion of the supernatural and occult and started to write. In 1890, Machen began publishing short stories in literary magazines. Four years later, he released his breakthrough work, The Great God Pan. Decried upon initial publication for its depictions of sex and violence, the tale has since become a horror classic and has been hailed as “maybe the best [horror story] in the English language” by Stephen King. Machen continued to publish supernatural novels but spent time as actor in a traveling player company after his wife’s death. His literary career revived once more with the publication of his works The House of Souls and The Hill of Dreams. During World War I, Machen became a full-time journalist. Though he rallied for republications of his works, Machen’s literary career ultimately diminished, and he lived much of his life in poor finances. 

Reviews for The Great God Pan and Other Weird Tales

[Stephanie Nuñez · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

There were a few exciting bits, but for the most part this book is dry. Very HP Lovecraft so if you're into that style this is the book for you.