The Soldiers' Rest by Arthur Machen
The story revolves around a group of soldiers who are on leave from the Boer War and take refuge at an old inn. The atmosphere becomes increasingly tense as they share their experiences and the supernatural elements begin to manifest, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
By Arthur Machen · First published 1906 · Genre: War Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction · 2,075 words
First lines
The soldier with the ugly wound in the head opened his eyes at last, and looked about him with an air of pleasant satisfaction.
He still felt drowsy and dazed with some fierce experience through which he had passed, but so far he could not recollect much about it. But -- an agreeable glow began to steal about his heart -- such a glow as comes to people who have been in a tight place and have come through it better than they had expected. In its mildest form this set of emotions may be observed in passengers who have crossed the Channel on a windy day without being sick. They triumph a little internally, and are suffused with vague, kindly feelings.
What this Textopian page supports
The Soldiers' Rest is listed on Textopian as a short story by Arthur Machen, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Arthur Machen
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: War Fiction, Fantasy, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 2,075 words
- Structure: 1 section, 38 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Soldiers' Rest by Arthur Machen
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Soldiers' Rest?
- How does this short story by Arthur Machen fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does War Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
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- An Inhabitant Of Carcosa by Ambrose Bierce
Genres
- War Fiction — The narrative centers around a soldier's experiences during wartime, exploring themes of trauma, heroism, and the impact of war on individuals.
- Fantasy — Elements of the supernatural and mystical are present, particularly in the transformation of characters and the depiction of a transcendent experience.
- Literary Fiction — The writing style is introspective and rich in imagery, focusing on character development and emotional depth.
- Historical Fiction — The setting and context are rooted in a specific historical period, reflecting the realities of World War I.
Tags
Supernatural Fiction · Gothic Horror · Psychological Thriller · Mystery · Paranormal Activity · Small Town Setting · Isolated Location · Atmosphere of Dread · Sense of Foreboding · Unreliable Narrator · Mind Games · Psychological Manipulation