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Exorcising Angels
Exorcising Angels, an original horror novella, is the first major collaboration between Tim Lebbon and Simon Clark. Join two modern masters of horror as they celebrate an early master of the genre and one of their literary heroes, Arthur Machen. In addition to the collaboratively written tale are two original stories--one by each author--using themes found in Machen's work that have been stunningly brought into the 21st century. To round out the book, the authors have written an Introduction and Afterword that illuminate not only their own stories, but also Machen's.--from the book jacket
- GenresHorror
87 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2003
53 people want to read
About the author
Simon Clark
215 books300 followersBorn, 20th April, 1958, Simon Clark is the author of such highly regarded horror novels as Nailed By The Heart, Blood Crazy, Darker, Vampyrrhic and The Fall, while his short stories have been collected in Blood & Grit and Salt Snake & Other Bloody Cuts. He has also written prose material for the internationally famous rock band U2.
Raised in a family of storytellers – family legend told of a stolen human skull buried beneath the Clark garage – he sold his first ghost story to a radio station in his teens. Before becoming a full-time writer he held a variety of day jobs, that have involved strawberry picking, supermarket shelf stacking, office work, and scripting video promos.
He lives with his wife and two children in mystical territory that lies on the border of Robin Hood country in England.
Raised in a family of storytellers – family legend told of a stolen human skull buried beneath the Clark garage – he sold his first ghost story to a radio station in his teens. Before becoming a full-time writer he held a variety of day jobs, that have involved strawberry picking, supermarket shelf stacking, office work, and scripting video promos.
He lives with his wife and two children in mystical territory that lies on the border of Robin Hood country in England.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 3, 2017
Exorcising Angels is a take by Lebbon and Clark to emulate one of their favorite authors: Arthur Machen. I'll admit I had no idea who this author was, but besides his literary work he was famous for writing a fictional story in the London newspaper in WWI about a group of angels that helped defeat a German advance, which gave the English people some hope when there was little.
This story sets the stage in WWII, where a veteran soldier finds the author Arthur Machen and tells him he was there during that battle and Arthur needs to bring them back again, literally. This is more a mystery fantasy story than a horror novel, as it's a wondrous story. I liked it, it was set in London during WWII, so it had a great backdrop and the story was well told.
There are also two short stories told in the vein of Arthur Machen: one by Lebbon and one by Clark. Lebbon's was a horror story where a man who always loved digging finds that he finally digs up something that doesn't make him happy, in fact it scares the hell out of him. The story by Clark is another wondrous story, of a man down on his luck who looks upon his old home when growing up and is able to see it in a different reality. Both of these stories were also good. For Lebbon it wasn't one of his best, but it was still very enjoyable.
This story sets the stage in WWII, where a veteran soldier finds the author Arthur Machen and tells him he was there during that battle and Arthur needs to bring them back again, literally. This is more a mystery fantasy story than a horror novel, as it's a wondrous story. I liked it, it was set in London during WWII, so it had a great backdrop and the story was well told.
There are also two short stories told in the vein of Arthur Machen: one by Lebbon and one by Clark. Lebbon's was a horror story where a man who always loved digging finds that he finally digs up something that doesn't make him happy, in fact it scares the hell out of him. The story by Clark is another wondrous story, of a man down on his luck who looks upon his old home when growing up and is able to see it in a different reality. Both of these stories were also good. For Lebbon it wasn't one of his best, but it was still very enjoyable.
May 10, 2023
Exorcising Angels is a novella co-written by Simon Clark and Tim Lebbon. It stems from a life-is-stranger-than-fiction fact surrounding Arthur Machen. During the first World War, Machen wrote a fictional tale about how ghostly/angelic soldiers turned the tide for the British during a battle with the Germans. Though he always made it clear his story was fantastical, it caught on as being truthful, to the point that people didn't believe he made it up. As fans of Machen, Clark and Lebbon concocted a sort of sequel during World War II where a soldier who witnessed the miracle in WWI tracks down Machen in London amidst the German bombing raids. The tale is compelling and seamlessly combines the two authors' writing talents. Additionally, the book contains a short story by each author in homage to Machen's writings. Lebbon's "Skins" is about a man who becomes obsessed with what lies beneath the skin of everything. Clark's "A Bridge to Everywhere" is an ethereal tale of a downtrodden man who finds a happier place behind "the veil" in his childhood home. While this came out 20 years ago I would be interested in seeing these two writers collaborate more.
October 1, 2008
Well, I never though it would happen, but it has!! Just when I thought that Lebbon could do no wrong, he did, and beautifully I might add. Boys, I’m sorry to have to do this, but your “Sure Thing” id card has been REVOKED!!! All those statues and altars that the residents of said intersection had built have been demolished and a permanent blemish now stains this once great crossroad. All that is heard are sighs of utter disappointment and loss. Mr. Lebbon, Mr. Clark, welcome to Bitch Lane and Moan Boulevard.
Inspired by the work of author Arthur Machen, Lebbon and Clark pay homage while exploring where the author left off. Now, as much as I’d like to be able to tell you about Machen’s story that began all this, I can’t. I never read it. So, here is what I was able to gather: Machen wrote a story during World War 1, titled “The Bowman”. The story tells of how St. George and his spooky archers rescued the British army and annihilated the Germans.
So, anyway, Lebbon and Clark decided to examine the power of faith and to do so with Machen’s character, Lt. Smith during World War II. Now, just to make things more interesting, they have Arthur Machen, himself, help the lieutenant along. This in theory, sounds good, and it should have been left there. I have read both authors separately and their styles are very different than what I read here. I’m not sure if they were trying to emulate Machen or each other, but it didn’t work. And the change-up in style didn’t end there, it continued on to the two author’s individual stories.
Lebbon’s “Skins” is written in the same tone that he used for the title story. Again, it didn’t work. I’m used to Lebbon’s intense prose and subtle pace, and I didn’t find any trace of that here. The descriptions were tedious and stale, which I thought was impossible in a short story. (Note: send memo to Ripley) The plot, while original, should have been longer and the characters should have been fleshed out more. The only thing that did work was the atmosphere. You may not have liked where you were, but you knew everything about it. You had a sense of “place”.
Clark’s “A Bridge to Everywhere” is written in a style that was far removed from how he usually writes, as well. I liked it. Normally, I stay away from Clark because his narratives tend to be a little too detached. In this stand alone story, you’re not only able to see him but you’re happy he’s there. Sadly, that is where the fun ends. The plot is flat and predictable and the characters move about aimlessly only to find themselves exactly where I did from the beginning. The pace is rushed and the atmosphere is nonexistent.
My rating? I give it a 2. Since everyone is allowed at least one mistake, I suggest if you absolutely must read it – grab it at the library and let us never speak of it again.
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
Inspired by the work of author Arthur Machen, Lebbon and Clark pay homage while exploring where the author left off. Now, as much as I’d like to be able to tell you about Machen’s story that began all this, I can’t. I never read it. So, here is what I was able to gather: Machen wrote a story during World War 1, titled “The Bowman”. The story tells of how St. George and his spooky archers rescued the British army and annihilated the Germans.
So, anyway, Lebbon and Clark decided to examine the power of faith and to do so with Machen’s character, Lt. Smith during World War II. Now, just to make things more interesting, they have Arthur Machen, himself, help the lieutenant along. This in theory, sounds good, and it should have been left there. I have read both authors separately and their styles are very different than what I read here. I’m not sure if they were trying to emulate Machen or each other, but it didn’t work. And the change-up in style didn’t end there, it continued on to the two author’s individual stories.
Lebbon’s “Skins” is written in the same tone that he used for the title story. Again, it didn’t work. I’m used to Lebbon’s intense prose and subtle pace, and I didn’t find any trace of that here. The descriptions were tedious and stale, which I thought was impossible in a short story. (Note: send memo to Ripley) The plot, while original, should have been longer and the characters should have been fleshed out more. The only thing that did work was the atmosphere. You may not have liked where you were, but you knew everything about it. You had a sense of “place”.
Clark’s “A Bridge to Everywhere” is written in a style that was far removed from how he usually writes, as well. I liked it. Normally, I stay away from Clark because his narratives tend to be a little too detached. In this stand alone story, you’re not only able to see him but you’re happy he’s there. Sadly, that is where the fun ends. The plot is flat and predictable and the characters move about aimlessly only to find themselves exactly where I did from the beginning. The pace is rushed and the atmosphere is nonexistent.
My rating? I give it a 2. Since everyone is allowed at least one mistake, I suggest if you absolutely must read it – grab it at the library and let us never speak of it again.
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews