Jesse’s Reviews > Collected Fiction Volume 1: 1888-1895 > Status Update
Jesse
is on page 523 of 548
‘Preface to “The Great God Pan” (1916)’
Fascinating. Machen has a low opinion of this story in the preface and, as he relates it, he wrote the first chapter as a single, isolated story; wrote the third chapter at first as a separate, unrelated tale; and then inspiration struck and he married the two together in a larger framework. Machen also offers up scathing reviews from his scrapbook.
— 5 hours, 34 min ago
Fascinating. Machen has a low opinion of this story in the preface and, as he relates it, he wrote the first chapter as a single, isolated story; wrote the third chapter at first as a separate, unrelated tale; and then inspiration struck and he married the two together in a larger framework. Machen also offers up scathing reviews from his scrapbook.
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Jesse
is on page 541 of 548
“On Re-Reading The Three Imposters and the Wonder Story”
Machen again, this time on the stories that are most lauded, Miss Lally’s. He also defines these as “Wonder Stories”, a format that begins with the commonplace and believable before gradually building in the crazy stuff. The bit about the “Turanians” is repeated. In that same vein, Machen denies any basis in existence for the “white powder”.
— 5 hours, 5 min ago
Machen again, this time on the stories that are most lauded, Miss Lally’s. He also defines these as “Wonder Stories”, a format that begins with the commonplace and believable before gradually building in the crazy stuff. The bit about the “Turanians” is repeated. In that same vein, Machen denies any basis in existence for the “white powder”.
Jesse
is on page 537 of 548
“Introduction to The Three Imposters (1923)”
Another charming anecdote from Machen. Apparently, plenty of people asked him whether there was some truth to the stories that he had in here, but there was not. Later, he talked about people he met who met the archetypes of the glasses guy and Miss Lally, and even one time where he was asked to form a secret society in order to torment someone.
— 5 hours, 21 min ago
Another charming anecdote from Machen. Apparently, plenty of people asked him whether there was some truth to the stories that he had in here, but there was not. Later, he talked about people he met who met the archetypes of the glasses guy and Miss Lally, and even one time where he was asked to form a secret society in order to torment someone.
Jesse
is on page 523 of 548
“Folklore and Legends of the North”
Machen was a critic of literature and wrote reviews for works including among other things his contemporary, Algernon Blackwood. This is a scathing review of a collection of Norse tales that has a definite scheme of explaining (or, really, supposing) in a very simple fashion what the origins of every extraordinary account or legend, particularly of the Norse, is.
— 8 hours, 20 min ago
Machen was a critic of literature and wrote reviews for works including among other things his contemporary, Algernon Blackwood. This is a scathing review of a collection of Norse tales that has a definite scheme of explaining (or, really, supposing) in a very simple fashion what the origins of every extraordinary account or legend, particularly of the Norse, is.
Jesse
is on page 512 of 548
“The Shining Pyramid”
Dyson again. This story is the culmination of the narrative thread of the snake-like people who were mentioned anecdotally in TTI as well as the climax of TRH. This time, Dyson correlates the disappearance of a country darling with a series of signals, rendered through flint arrowheads, on a friend’s property. Our literary detective finally sees with his own eyes this prehistoric horror.
— 13 hours, 16 min ago
Dyson again. This story is the culmination of the narrative thread of the snake-like people who were mentioned anecdotally in TTI as well as the climax of TRH. This time, Dyson correlates the disappearance of a country darling with a series of signals, rendered through flint arrowheads, on a friend’s property. Our literary detective finally sees with his own eyes this prehistoric horror.
Jesse
is on page 489 of 548
“The Red Hand”
I believe that this Dyson is a recurring character, a Machen-ish prospective author and occult sleuth. He was the MC of “The Inmost Light”, was the primary figure of The Three Imposters, and appears here, again with Phillips, for a story that feels like a postscript to TTI. Dyson jokes about primitive races secreted around London and the two go out in jest, but chance across a fresh murder.
— Nov 13, 2026 12:59PM
I believe that this Dyson is a recurring character, a Machen-ish prospective author and occult sleuth. He was the MC of “The Inmost Light”, was the primary figure of The Three Imposters, and appears here, again with Phillips, for a story that feels like a postscript to TTI. Dyson jokes about primitive races secreted around London and the two go out in jest, but chance across a fresh murder.
Jesse
is on page 461 of 548
“The Three Imposters; or, The Transmutations”
This is a novel of short stories arranged as a mystery/thriller. The antics of Dyson and Phillips left me completely unprepared for the story’s ending, even if you knew it was going to be a terrible affair from the prologue. The four novels appear to be fabrications in an attempt to earn the confidences of the pair of friends, but I wonder…
— Nov 12, 2026 07:45PM
This is a novel of short stories arranged as a mystery/thriller. The antics of Dyson and Phillips left me completely unprepared for the story’s ending, even if you knew it was going to be a terrible affair from the prologue. The four novels appear to be fabrications in an attempt to earn the confidences of the pair of friends, but I wonder…
Jesse
is on page 328 of 548
“The Inmost Light”
This story has some parallels with The Great God Pan. It’s kind of a rewrite. There’s this Doctor, see, and he has this lovely wife, except no one has seen her for months. A dude named Dyson heard this local gossip and decided to prowl around the house and he sees Miss Agnesinside the house and very much alive, but she has the face of… a SATYR!!! No!! Anything but that!!
— Nov 11, 2026 12:27PM
This story has some parallels with The Great God Pan. It’s kind of a rewrite. There’s this Doctor, see, and he has this lovely wife, except no one has seen her for months. A dude named Dyson heard this local gossip and decided to prowl around the house and he sees Miss Agnesinside the house and very much alive, but she has the face of… a SATYR!!! No!! Anything but that!!
Jesse
is on page 301 of 548
“Jocelyn’s Escape”
I’m not sure. Harry is the head of a law practice and he is expecting a special lady guest at his office. But—as the story’s revealed—he’s married. He writes a note for his lady caller when she arrives, but as we find out, his WIFE came to the office unexpectedly. Fortunately for Harry, his wife believed that the note was meant for her, and Harry breaks his adulterous intentions.
— Nov 11, 2026 11:37AM
I’m not sure. Harry is the head of a law practice and he is expecting a special lady guest at his office. But—as the story’s revealed—he’s married. He writes a note for his lady caller when she arrives, but as we find out, his WIFE came to the office unexpectedly. Fortunately for Harry, his wife believed that the note was meant for her, and Harry breaks his adulterous intentions.