THE SECRET GLORY (The Holy Grail Quest) (Annotated)
Enriched Edition. The Glorious Quest of the Sangraal "Eternal Cup"By Arthur Machen
Length7h 45m
About this audiobook
Arthur Machen's The Secret Glory is a mystical Bildungsroman and Grail romance transposed into the drab modern world. Its hero, Ambrose Meyrick, suffers the brutalities of an English public school while preserving an inward vision shaped by Welsh legend, sacramental mystery, and the quest for the Holy Grail. Written in Machen's characteristic style—lush, allusive, ironic, and charged with visionary intensity—the book stands between fin-de-siècle decadence, Gothic romance, and Christian mysticism, opposing bureaucratic modernity with secret sanctity. Machen, born in Caerleon in 1863, drew deeply on the landscapes, folklore, and spiritual atmosphere of Wales, as well as on his lifelong fascination with ritual, hidden realities, and the persistence of wonder beneath ordinary life. His experiences in journalism, London literary circles, and occult revival culture helped form a writer suspicious of materialism and institutional conformity. The Secret Glory reflects his conviction that true reality is veiled, sacramental, and accessible only through imagination and grace. This book is recommended to readers interested in mystical fiction, Arthurian afterlives, and critiques of modern education and spiritual impoverishment. It rewards patient reading with a rare fusion of satire, reverence, and visionary romance.
This enriched edition has been carefully crafted to add value to your reading experience.
- A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes.
- The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists.
- A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing.
- A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings.
- Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life.
- Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance.
- Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Audiobook details
Rating★★★★ 4.1 (19)
Includes Amazon, Goodreads
GenreFantasy, General Fiction
Length7 hrs 45 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateMay 11, 2016
LanguageEnglish
Table of contents
1Initiation, Human & Solar: Treatise on Theosophy and Esotericism (Annotated)
8III
2Introduction
9IV
3Synopsis
10Epilogue
4Historical Context
11Analysis
5Preface
12Reflection
Show all chaptersShow less
6I
13Memorable Quotes
7II
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