"The Shunned House" by H. P. Lovecraft / A HorrorBabble Production
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- čas přidán 4. 07. 2024
- "The Shunned House" is a horror fiction novelette by American author H. P. Lovecraft. It was first published in the October 1937 issue of Weird Tales. The story tells of the narrator's fascination with an old abandoned house on Benefit Street, Providence, and his subsequent investigations into what may or may not dwell there.
Chapters:
0:00:00 - Introduction
0:01:44 - Part I
0:12:58 - Part II
0:27:50 - Part III
0:44:34 - Part IV
1:02:10 - Part V
1:16:26 - Further Listening
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Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble
Music and production by Ian Gordon
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This is an ORIGINAL HorrorBabble Production. - Zábava
This one had a surprisingly wholesome ending, when life returned to the house once more.
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!
We have Pixabay to thank for most of them these days!
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!
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 social media definitely isn't helping
@@kevburke
So true ! Though the decline started long ago in my view...
@@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.
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.'
I have to admit - this post made me chuckle. Ian
Those were the days...now they just chain vampires to a tractor...drag em smooth out in daylight...ZERO imagination right??😂😂😂
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.
Yep
I'm just gonna mix us a opium and cocaine drink. Then will take care of that pesky fact checking.
I'm an english teacher and I think this will be fun to play for my students
Your the first English teacher I've seen to be absent of grammar.
Dark Wolf you’re* a fool.
@@galacticnightmare . I bet your mother got a fine for littering upon dropping you at kindergarten.
@@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.
You sound like an english teacher I would've liked to have. :)
I like how he mentions Poe’s fascination of the graves , and also how’s he compliments Poe
Didn't he write a story about alien invaders who look like Poe?
@@davew1421 aliens yes, but Poe look alikes I’m not too sure about
How about the Hawthorne and Melville references? Chiefly in the nomenclature: Peleg et al
This one had a more happy ending than most of his stories.
Ian Gordon, you are my favorite voice! Thank You Most Kindly.
Peace, Love and Good Vibrations, BanjoQueen✌❤🌹🙋
One of my favorite lovecraft stories..Ian you have done a marvelous job as usual.
I will never be able to read Lovecrafts work without hearing your voice. Thank you so much Mr.Gordon.
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.
By far one of the most incredible Lovecraftian stories I have listened to so far. Really keeps you invested through every twist and turn.
This is the house to go to on Halloween, I hear they give full sized candybars
Full of rich, creamy nougat.
😋
Full bars!
If not we properly roll and soap that cheapskate vampires bloody lawn.
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!
You're welcome, Butch!
Marvellously narrated, splendid! 🧐 👏👏
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'm happy to have calmed you Jack. ;) Ian
@@HorrorBabble may I make a request?
Of course, but do keep in mind the list is long. Please send it here: www.horrorbabble.com/contact
Pass by this place all the time ♥️
As you can probably imagine it looks anything but 'shunned' now- probably quite expensive actually 😄
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.
Massive Richard Burton vibes from this superb reading. Kudos.
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.”
Well, in that case, my family are houses.
LOL
Fun fact: Lovecraft had an ancestor, Capt Benedict Whipple, who actually served in the continental army.
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.
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.
@BLOODY. NO ONE ❗ can emote like Ian...other readers leave me feeling flat after having found him ❗❗
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.
Well they are fiction since he made them up lol
They are merely logical outgrowths of Lovecraft's many neuroses (e.g. thalassophobia).
P😱werfull story and narration !
Many thanks Horror Babble !
I love that I can look up a HP Lovecraft story knowing there’s a 90% it’s on here. Great work Ian!
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.
Just the thing after a stressful day at work. Simply beautiful. Thank you very much!!
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.
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, 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.
I wonder how much it costs now lol. That’d be a cool story to tell people about your place
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. 🎩🙏🏽❤️🇲🇽
Absolutely brilliant story to listen to tonight thank you once again
Excellent work again by Mr. Gordon and all at HorrorBabble. Very good. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this.
❤
Jeez, you read that well! I miss the Uncle now, too. But am very glad there are birds in the trees and apples blooming forth 🍎🐦🌷🌱
Thanks for that story ian.Very Creepy ! its put me off digging in the garden this summer 😱 well not without a few gallons of sulfuric acid handy! 😊😊
Ha! Thanks Hugo.
The part where he suddenly realizes that he has unearthed the elbow of a colossal monster always gives me the willies.
Fabulous, Ian!! So proud of you guys gaining subscribers and new fans too! Great work keep it up!
I enjoyed this story. I am thinking of visiting since I am no more than 15 minutes away.
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 “. 🤓
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.
Wow! That was an amazing 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
My hometown and I know Benefit St very well.
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.
I really appreciate the work and time that goes into these videos, thank you so much hororbabble. Keep up the amazing work
Steven King puts this house in like, half his stories.
There is a *lot* of King in this story.
Thought of Salem’s Lot the entire time I was listening.
What a great channel. Gordon’s version of The King in Yellow might be the best reading.
Very well done as usual my friend...
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.
Im from RI. that house is still there 135 Benefit Street
like for example danvers state hospital was the influence for arkham asylum in lovecrafts works.
damn i love his stye of writing, great reading btw thank you!
The wait is finally over! Now I can sleep in peace
AWESOME !
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.
Keep on Rockin guys 🤘🤠
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: czcams.com/play/PLeNNKRLWxwoO-3p9IIVhTxvtazpWcBk5I.html
Clark Ashton Smith Playlist: czcams.com/play/PLeNNKRLWxwoMd3hyVZOXrZKy3TJfeTxRd.html
@@HorrorBabble Thanks for the recommendations! I'll be listening to them keenly tomorrow.
One of my favorite Lovecraft stories.
Unbelievable!!!!
love the additional info from the letter!!!!
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.
and mine for sure....
Most of lovecraft's works could benefit from a thorough paring down of overwriting... a great imagination but often pointlessly wordy.
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.
Fun fact, the house at "Elizabeth & Bridge" mentioned in the beginning was located in Elizabeth, NJ.
Shape shifting creature that absorbs its victims essence and flamethrowers sounds so familiar.....
The Thing 🐙💀
Well its clear that stranger things was also a bit influenced by both the thing and the work of Lovecraft lol
@@nev3084 To be more accurate, stranger things takes inspiration from d&d, and d&d took inspiration from lovecraft.
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...
Disagree. I'll risk it before the mind-bending horror before me
Do _The Horror in the Museum._
It's on the list!
@@HorrorBabble
:D
this little thread made me kinda happy for some reason.
Thank you for this interesting video! 😊
Amazing narration!
Ah, Salem's Lot(partly ) anyone?
King ''homaged'' Lovecraft a lot in his Salem lot franchise.
This one hits quite close to home.
Excellent as usual!! I wonder if Brian Lumley was influenced at all after reading this tale🤔
@Ladyintheriver Castin I've read quite a bit of his work. Love the necroscope series.
I wanna know what the rest of that monstrosity looked like
Great story
Huzzah! I was hoping you’d read this one.
Getting right into this one!
SINISISTER VEGETATION. new favorite Lovecraft monster
😀 "Sinister vegetation."
❤❤❤❤❤❤
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:
czcams.com/video/o1xOLu3RjNg/video.html
Great work as always, Ian. Thanks for this!
A gorgeous piece... haven't heard it in years! Thanks for sharing, Marie.
Recently listened to the color out of space i have not seen the color out of time by bloch it finishes off the tale
thx
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 😆)
Now I can sleep thanks. 💤H.P.
Does he bring a Crookes Tube to blast it with aether rays? Did I hear that right? That's so steampunk. Don't cross the streams, good sir.
Is this on one of your Audible collections?
It's included in both Ultimate Lovecraft Collection, and Ultimate Weird Tales Vol II.
You should do under the pyramids
It's on the list! Thanks, Ian.
@@HorrorBabble yes hype thank you horrorbabble and Ian gordon
Baaaaaaadass
❤️👻
Was it so hard to find another house in such early times in the US?
Mold is dangerous
This was a nice recording, and I was wondering if you are taking any submissions?
Thanks Austen - but you asked the same question the other day. As I said, submissions are currently closed: www.horrorbabble.com/submissions
44:32 bookmark.
Lucky#¹³🍀😱
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.
This is useful information for me, thank you. I just "used" as flamethrower in a short story; I will now edit it 😊
@@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 😆
I wonder if this was inspired by the Mercy Brown legend
Is it true that Miskatonic ,U is offering online degrees?
Turns out it was actually just radon gas buildup all along
@28:35
Wesker?
22:33
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)
Thanks again Alexa! In my opinion, we each have our own reasons for enjoying the works of certain writers, etc - this is how it should be! :) Ian
"and i wondered how big it could have gotten life sucking." What was it in there.... big tobacco?