<p><I>Fantastic and Horrific Stories</I> (2021) is a collection of short fiction by Arthur Machen. Condemned as decadent and obscene upon publication, Machens writing earned praise from Oscar Wilde and H. P. Lovecraft. Throughout the years, Machens work has been referenced and adapted by such figures as Stephen King, Guillermo del Toro, and Josh Malerman for its masterfully unsettling blend of science, myth, and magic. <I>The Great God Pan</I>, perhaps Machens most celebrated work, is the story of an occult experiment gone horribly wrong. Clarke has always taken an interest in occult matters, so when a friend offers him a chance to witness an experimental procedure intended to access the spirit realm, he cannot refuse. When the young patient Mary awakens, she shows signs of terror and soon falls into a catatonic state. Convinced of their success in discovering the world of the great god Pan, Clarke and Raymond agree to keep their discovery a secret. Years later, a nearby town begins reporting the mysterious disappearances of young children, all of whom have been seen in the forest with a
