Anarchy and the absurd. Hidden folklore and cosmic jest. The laughter and terror of a world gone mad.
Dreads and Drolls is a later collection of essays and short vignettes by Arthur Machen, first published in 1926. Unlike his major works of pure fiction, this volume is a unique blend of philosophical commentary, whimsical observation, and short pieces of dark fiction, showcasing the full range of Machen's eccentric genius.
The title perfectly captures the book's contents, contrasting the profound terror of the cosmos with the everyday absurdity of modern life:
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The Dreads: These pieces revisit Machen's core themes of occult mystery and supernatural terror. They often take the form of short, atmospheric accounts of inexplicable crimes, strange phenomena in the English and Welsh countryside, and the lingering dread of the "Little People" and ancient pagan rites. These essays reveal the hidden layer of ancient evil that Machen believed lay just beneath the surface of the modern world.
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The Drolls: These are the book's surprising and often humorous elements. Machen employs irony, satire, and playful mysticism to critique modern society, particularly its materialism, shallow education, and its inability to perceive the spiritual beauty or cosmic horror that surrounds it. These pieces treat the most profound terrors with a mischievous detachment, suggesting that the ultimate reality might be a kind of terrifying cosmic jest.
Dreads and Drolls is a compelling and accessible book for understanding Machen's unique perspective. It provides a less structured, more conversational view of his philosophy, offering the reader brief, potent jolts of horror interspersed with his signature, deeply insightful musings on folklore, literature, and the true, hidden life of the soul.
