/ frenchedward06 www.edwardfrenchmakeupeffects.com Weird fiction by Clark Ashton-Smith. Narrated by Oscar nominated and Emmy Award winning Makeup FX Artist Edward E. French.
This is my favorite Clark Ashton Smith story and also one of my favorite horror stories. I live in the southeast section of the USA and there is a vine called kudzu that can be found all along the roadside just about everywhere you go it seems. There is something insidious, and frankly a little disgusting, about how it slowly grows over and eventually strangles anything in its path. It's like body horror for planet Earth. CAS wrote several stories that I like, but I usually don't like listening to audio versions. I think his (over)use of archaic words and purple prose can really work well in print but it often sounds a little silly when read aloud. You really nailed this one though. There is a thread of droll ironic humor in many of CAS's stories, and I think you have a knack for getting across that sort of thing without overdoing it. I would love to hear you read stories like "Mother of Toads" "Schizoid Creator" and "The Disinterment of Venus." I've recently been reading the Collected Fantasies of Clark Ashton Smith and it's a great way to find the best (unedited) versions of his stories.
I never thought I would find a tale of yours set in my country. Oh and what horrors await in our jungles. They say most of them still haven't been fully explored to this day. Thanks for another horrifying tale Mr. French and greetings from Venezuela!
Greetings to you, too! This is a disturbing story to me. I've worked in Sao Paulo, Brazil years ago and it was a great experience....but, I have desire to work in a jungle- ANYWHERE! Cheers. E.E.F.
Had some extra time this week to look through your archive and found this... wow, I don't know the exact genre but this type of 'botanical body horror' is truly disturbing! 🧠+🥀 = 😱
I've just discovered this in your backlog. Many years ago, this was the very first story I read by Clark Ashton Smith. It was recommended by my father. Wonderfully told. Thank you.
The man of 1000 voices! Listening to these stories I often have to remind myself there is only one person brilliantly impersonating all the characters. Love this channel, I can't understand why you don't have more subs 🤔
Hi Edward - OK, so i've been listening and enjoying the company of your voice while doing other things. figured i'd listen at the same time LOL forget it. i have no idea what's been going on except someone had scary things happen to him :} now, i'll have to listen again. . .
i really loved that one. I really just want to know what happened next. I wonder if the plant took over the world or maybe was kept at bay by flame throwers or something of the sort.
The people in that place knew how dangerous it was, it probably wasn't the first time they encountered it. That's why they abandoned the explorers in the first place. I think they probably would've found the boat later and sunk it to the bottom of the river or they could've even burned it. I know I would've.
