Arthur Machen's last novel (1933) is often regarded as inferior -- Machen himself reportedly didn't like it. And although it's not plotless, it's not a 'page-turner' -- if you're looking for another Great God Pan or Three Imposters, this isn't it. But here you'll find his characteristic narrative voice rehearsing some of his favorite tropes -- it's mystical and spooky but indeterminate, like life. (It does have one of those evil 'little people', even if he doesn't do much.) All in all, if you enjoy some of the best of Machen's later stories -- like Out of the Picture, N, Dover Road, Tree of Life -- you should enjoy this too. ( )