05 - Great God Pan by Arthur Machen

The Great God Pan is a haunting novella by Arthur Machen that first appeared in the magazine Whirlwind in 1890, later revised and expanded for its book release in 1894 alongside the story The Inmost Light. Upon its initial publication, the novella faced fierce criticism from the press for its decadent style and provocative themes, labeling it as degenerate and horrific. However, it has since earned its place as a classic in the horror genre. Machen‚s work taps into the symbolism of Pan, exploring the primal forces of nature and the allure of paganism. The title is inspired by Elizabeth Barrett Browning‚s poem A Musical Instrument, where each stanza concludes with the evocative phrase ... the great god Pan. (via Wikipedia)