Such a loss Lovecraft dies relatively young! He was hittting a note of true weirdness and incorporating science in a way that predates all of the quantum-based explanations of the supernatural today! Also, flamethrowers!
Apart from the revision tales this was the last of HPL's stories I managed to get hold of as a youth, and I still love its thoroughly weird take on vampirism. It's amusing though how it prefigures the sort of cheesiness familiar from over-generously keepered Call of Cthulhu scenarios - 'my professor knows the local National Guard commander, so I'll borrow a couple of flamethrowers from the armoury for an unspecified private purpose... he'll understand.' 'I'll say that my uncle dropped dead of shock while we were digging in the cellar and then instantaneously decomposed... no-one will think I murdered him.' 'I'll order a massive amount of industrial acid to a residential address, dump it in the cellar and pollute the entire neighbourhood with toxic fumes... no biggie.'
For what it's worth, flame throwers are indeed an industrial tool in use today, without need for a license. Mostly used for brush clearing and field setting, but its use is only scarcely questioned, if you can pay or talk your way into its requisition. The acid.... well, fuck me I got nothing. Other than that too can be bought in large quantities, granted at the request of licensing and more... But this is in the light of the modern day. 1920+ didn't exactly have much in the concept of OSHA, much less safe tracking, licensing, and distribution of exceedingly dangerous products.
@@whitewolf2868 lmao, you show up and insult someone for their grammar but make one of the most basic mistakes, well known across the internet to be the focus of "grammar nazis" such as yourself. Just shut the fuck up and don't bother people, you bumbling waste of space.
My favorite Lovecraft story because: ghost stakeout, basement that opens onto the street (they creep me out), spores, moulds, and fungus.It's got everything.
Surely we have to seriously acknowledge HorrorBabble's excellent pictures also? Well chosen, often very high-quality art, adds so much to the entire experience!
I absolutely love this channel, I've always wanted to read Lovecraft but due issues with my concentration I've been finding it really difficult. Your voice makes it easy for me to focus and if I get lost I can always skip back. I cant wait to start reading the books myself but this is a whole other experience! Thank you for your hard work! :D
I agree that the text is so rich in vocabulary that I found myself doing a "rewind" at some moments . Makes one realise how poor we have become in English language... Could it be hollywood and tv that caused this ? I would'nt wonder 😔...
@@pariscribe5245 no. It's being lazy and watching TV, etc. Every thing man has ever known or written is online. People however just want things spoon fed to them.
I like to think Lovecraft & REH are kicking it together as best friends on the “other side” in another world, yet still right here with us, collaborating & “spinning yarns & two-fisted tales “. 🤓
This has made me feel such a profound merriment that None Shall feel the wrath of my blade tonight.For I am Overjoyed to have heard such an outstanding narration of a truly masterfully written story.
I've been wanting to read lovecraft but ADHD has made it difficult, thank you for providing entertaining reads of the books I've always wanted to engage with!
Somehow, I knew I wouldn't be going to sleep early tonight. Tell Ian Gordon that some dude on the internet(me), is very grateful that he is able to take the time to narrate these.
The thing that is always most creepy about Lovecraft's writing, similar to Poe, is that on one hand it is fictitious... but on the other, it is that imp of the perverse that is actually real. And there is no way that you can honestly say that the Old gods are purely fiction. We try to put shape and meaning to them, but they are beings that exist outside our scope of time/space.
I've heard Wayne June read this one so many times I've lost count. So happy Ian is finally taking a swing at it. It's definitely in my Top 10 from Lovecraft.
Tonight I happened upon this audio reading. This story was incredible. I adore how you narrated this one. I also like the vivid description the author presents. It makes it easy to visualize the story. Thank you Ian. Have a great day.
This is reminiscent of Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House or, more accurately, vice versa - a haunted house story, not based on the idea of ghosts but, instead, a malevolent house itself. As Ms. Jackson noted, “Some houses are born bad.”
Wonderfully narrated as always. And for once, some would say an optimistic and "happy ending".But I think the narrators Uncle would dispute that. Thanks for posting.
This is the best HP story to fall asleep to for some reason. Maybe his descriptions of the house remind me the neighborhood I grew up in as a kid. Bremerton WA… decrepit as hell. I loved it.
A Gothic / Victorian jewel. This is fun. Thank you for your long hard work, always something for everyone. Your voices are heard afar and most welcome. Comforting, I dare say. 🎩🙏🏽❤️🇲🇽
Your narration is incredible! Stumbled across this video while half-remembering a story I read ages ago in my Alone in the Dark phase, and completely fell in love haha :)
This is an excellent example of Lovecraft's ability to marshal quotidian details to create an atmosphere of reality - before introducing the squamous, rugose weirdness.
of HPL's short works, the Shunned House is one of my all time favorite, along with Medusa's Coil and the Curse of Yig ❤ as usual, very well read thank you
In the Balkans these creatures are called Strigoi or Strigoi Mort. They emanate from their graves and slowly suck the life of the living nearby. It’s usually the awoken spirit of evil people that died a violent death or from suicide
Love the channel. [SUCCESS, Read the Update below] I like to geo-locate areas and properties named in tales like this. I've scoured old maps of providence RI and Benefit street is easy enough to find, BUT Wheaton street which is supposed to be in the next block is miles away on the other side of the city. Lovecraft never mentions directly a cross street near by, and the one church yard he names appears to have never existed or has been long since deconsecrated and turned into another Starbucks. He WAS a New England native but appears to have made no effort at all to make his layout of Providence in any way accurate. If anyone else has better luck in placing "The Shunned House" let me know. UPDATE: Having located Washington street, Angel street, Westminster street, and Benefit street, I was also able to locate the last street that tied down the location of The Shunned House. As stated above, I was looking for a link with Wheaton street [bear in mind I was doing this from the audiobook, NOT the text], there was none, HOWEVER, I located a short diagonal street named WEATON street running from the corner of South and Pratt Court to the corner of Meeting and Congden, and backing properties on the east side of Benefit as described. Conclusion: The Shunned House was located on the 100 block of Benefit, and from the descriptions of the lay of the land, stood where now stands a Victorian Era block of flats and shops at 160 Benefit Street. KNEW I'd find it eventually.
Another excellent reading, it's a shame that the house that inspired this tale was torn down decades ago. Can't wait to see what you have in store next time.
Thank you so much. A fine replacement for the trash that passes for entertainment these days. I had meant to read Lovecrafts works for years and glad for your hard work.
I quite like this story but I feel like 95% of everything before about the fifteen minute mark could have been cut out without the reader being any poorer for it. Still, once it finally gets rolling, it becomes quite intriguing. Excellent reading as always, Ian. You are, without exception, my favorite narrator.
I disagree, he does go overboard sometimes ( mountains of madness) but it's essential, other wise it's this week on ghost hunters we found another monster
In the case of _At the Mountains of Madness,_ that's certainly true. It really clashes with the framing of "you need to listen to me, Antarctica is horrible, don't go there!" when he goes off on tangents about drills and cool airplanes. But in this case, it actually works really well. It makes sense, as the narrator is a historian with knowledge of the neighborhood, and it is entirely in character and relevant to the plot when he goes into greater detail about the history of the home and why it's...well, shunned.
Been listening to stories of H.P Lovecraft on this channel, excellent narration and well done atmosphere, the intro always manages to set the horror writer mood in place. I'd like to ask of anyone, what stories written by other authors would you recommend that are also narrated on HorrorBabble? As i am a aspiring writer, of horror included, i seek good stories to learn from and listen to while at work.
Thanks for listening! If you enjoy the Lovecraft tales, then I recommend Bloch and Smith: Robert Bloch Playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PLeNNKRLWxwoO-3p9IIVhTxvtazpWcBk5I Clark Ashton Smith Playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PLeNNKRLWxwoMd3hyVZOXrZKy3TJfeTxRd
I don't care how squamous or rugose the thing approaching you is, it's probably not a good idea to open up on it with a military grade flamethrower when you're in a cellar with it (or anywhere indoors really) those things shoot ignited jellified gasoline around 30 or 40 feet, and it tends to splash... perfect for clearing out buildings if you're outside, not so much if you're in the same room as it...
The ending - the sweet, gradual reclamation to natural order after the monster has left - made me think of the piece The Hands of Fate: Pt. 2 from the music score from Signs. The sense of escaping by the skin of your teeth, followed by dawning relief after experiencing such horror as described in this story is beautifully captured in that piece. Here it is - it’s worth listening to regardless: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-o1xOLu3RjNg.html Great work as always, Ian. Thanks for this!
I live a block away from benefit street/& several houses/lots where Lovecraft lived whilst in Providence. (I also stayed with an exgirlfriend linger BECAUSE we lived closer to a lovecraft location 😆)
i don't usually like Lovecraft, but this story is actually engrossing. of course, it's probably cause you're reading it that gives it meaning. . . consider this another thank you among your hundreds of thank yous :} (Lovecraft to me is ponderous and the scary things not believable - i know people think he's great, but i'm enjoying going against the tide as i get older - you don't care much what other poeple think any more LOL)
Lovecraft clearly (and unsurprisingly) did not have experience with military flamethrowers. Not that I do, but I know that if you use one indoors and somehow manage not to set the house on fire you'll die of carbon monoxide poisoning immediately.
@@esmewitch no don't!! Just end the story there lol. Everyone dies of carbon monoxide poisoning and the location burns to the ground. Just take the readers by surprise 😆
