Arthur Machen: Weaver of Fantasy

** "Arthur Machen: Weaver of Fantasy" by William F. Gekle is a mid-20th century book that looks closely at the life and books written by author Arthur Machen, who was from Wales, and who mixed mystical and fantasy styles. The book thinks about how some writers are ignored while others are praised, and it talks about how Machen has affected other writers and what makes his writing special. Machen's work shows that he was deeply connected to his Welsh background and the mysterious places around Caerleon, where he was born. In the beginning, Gekle writes about how Machen has been overlooked, even though he was an important writer in the late 1800s. Gekle creates a conversation between two people, showing how one person tries to get the other interested in Machen's books. In doing this, Gekle shows why Machen is important as a writer and why his work should be appreciated again. The first parts of the book tell about Machen's early life, how he felt strongly about the history and myths of Gwent, and how he started writing, which led him to become a unique writer. **