The Shining Pyramid: The Definitive Edition


Read by Ben Tucker

(3.5 stars; 4 reviews)

For the first time ever, the complete contents of both the 1923 and 1925 editions of The Shining Pyramid are brought together in a single collection. Included are stories and essays that showcase the breath and depth of Arthur Machen's skill as both a storyteller and commentator of modern society. The title story is justly regarded as a classic of folk horror that Machen wrote during the same period that brought us his masterpieces such as "The Great God Pan" and "The White Children". We also get shorter journeys into the uncanny and weird with tales like "Out of the Earth", "The Happy Children", "The Lost Club", and "Drake's Drum". On the non-fiction side, included is "The Secret of the Sangraal", Machen's extensive commentary on the origins and lore surrounding the Holy Grail as well as several other essays detailing Machen's socio-economic beliefs, his thoughts on Christianity vs. Paganism, commentaries on art and other thoughts and musings. (Summary by Ben Tucker) (8 hr 23 min)

Chapters

Introductions by Vincent Starrett and Arthur Machen 11:19 Read by Ben Tucker
The Shining Pyramid 50:33 Read by Ben Tucker
Out of the Earth 16:13 Read by Ben Tucker
The Happy Children 11:24 Read by Ben Tucker
The Spagyric Quest of Beroaldus Cosmopolita 26:38 Read by Ben Tucker
The Priest and the Barber 15:31 Read by Ben Tucker
The Splendid Holiday 6:48 Read by Ben Tucker
The Lost Club 13:58 Read by Ben Tucker
A Wonderful Woman 8:08 Read by Ben Tucker
Introduction to The Secret of the Sangraal 14:38 Read by Ben Tucker
The Secret of the Sangraal 1:08:03 Read by Ben Tucker
The Mystic Speech 35:27 Read by Ben Tucker
In Convertendo 15:19 Read by Ben Tucker
The Hidden Mystery 18:10 Read by Ben Tucker
The Martyr 14:11 Read by Ben Tucker
The Art of Dickens 16:48 Read by Ben Tucker
Unconscious Magic 11:49 Read by Ben Tucker
Happiness and Horror 21:45 Read by Ben Tucker
Ars Artium 11:30 Read by Ben Tucker
Realism and Symbol 11:42 Read by Ben Tucker
Paganism 13:37 Read by Ben Tucker
Education and the Uneducated 18:51 Read by Ben Tucker
New Lamps for Old 12:34 Read by Ben Tucker
Mandatum Novissimum 18:12 Read by Ben Tucker
"Sad Happy Race" 20:36 Read by Ben Tucker
The Capital Levy 11:48 Read by Ben Tucker
Drake's Drum 8:01 Read by Ben Tucker