The Great Return: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Great Return: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Great Return is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Machen, Arthur (1863–1947).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Great Return" by Arthur Machen is a supernatural novella written in the early 20th century, specifically during the 1910s. This mystical narrative explores themes of spiritual awakening and extraordinary occurrences in the small Welsh town of Llantrisant. Through a blend of folklore and the mysterious, Machen illustrates a world where the boundary between the ordinary and the divine blurs, inviting readers to ponder existential questions about faith, beauty, and the nature of reality. The story centers around a series of miraculous events that unfold in Llantrisant during a time of war, starting from the curious ringing of a bell heard by a deaf old woman, which heralds a profound transformation in the town's inhabitants. As various characters experience anomalies—including a young girl’s miraculous recovery from tuberculosis and a lawyer's humbling reconciliation with a farmer—Machen weaves together elements of the fantastical and the sublime. The narrative culminates in a transcendent church service where the aroma of paradise fills the air, leading to a collective renewal of spirit among the townsfolk. Ultimately, "The Great Return" serves as an exploration of the mysteries of existence, suggesting that the divine can manifest in the most unexpected ways, resonating deeply with the themes of hope and redemption during tumultuous times.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Great Return
- Author credits: Machen, Arthur (1863–1947)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Grail -- Fiction
- Wales -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
- Category: Novels
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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