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A review by elmeco
The Three Impostors by Arthur Machen
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
First started reading Arthur Machen two years ago, and while I enjoyed his works I definitely remember struggling a bit and didn't know whether to blame myself or Machen. After two years of other weird fiction works, and most recently, William Sloane I can whole heartedly say Arthur Machen... not really for me. Don't get me wrong, the way he incorporates fairy/pagan folklore into horror is brilliant, but everything else surrounding it? Meh.
The Three Imposters is especially fascinating considering it's essentially a episodic mystery thriller that basically serves as an anthology of some of Machen's best works. So many brilliant concepts are presented and explored throughout the novel, with an interesting premise and structure to back it up but is unfortunately bogged down by Machen's flowery prose, slow pacing, and dense dialogue. Still, despite my issues with his prose and pacing I definitely intend on reading some of his other works cause damn it, his ideas and plots are that damn good.
The Three Imposters is especially fascinating considering it's essentially a episodic mystery thriller that basically serves as an anthology of some of Machen's best works. So many brilliant concepts are presented and explored throughout the novel, with an interesting premise and structure to back it up but is unfortunately bogged down by Machen's flowery prose, slow pacing, and dense dialogue. Still, despite my issues with his prose and pacing I definitely intend on reading some of his other works cause damn it, his ideas and plots are that damn good.