Call of Cthulhu

Personal Anthology of Shakespeare by William Shakespeare. This personal anthology is my choice of speeches from Shakespeare that I enjoy reading (that I would like to have had by heart years ago!) and that seem to me to illustrate his unsurpassed use of language. He was a man who seemed to know everything about human nature and as Orson Welles said ‘he speaks to everyone and we all claim him’. I k...

Unmasking of Robert-Houdin by Harry Houdini. This work is by Harry Houdini, and was an attempt, by him, to undermine the public reverence for the man regarded as the master of modern magic, Robert-Houdin. Initially enamored of him, even making his stage name from him by an adding an 'i' to it, Houdini felt that the Robert-Houdin family had slighted him and so wrote this work in an attempt to discr...

Friendship by Hugh Black. The idea, so common in the ancient writers, is not all a poetic conceit, that the soul of a man is only a fragment of a larger whole, and goes out in search of other souls in which it will find its true completion. We walk among worlds unrealized, until we have learned the secret of love. We know this, and in our sincerest moments admit this, even though we are seeking to...

Tale of Little Pig Robinson by Beatrix Potter. “Poor Pig Robinson Crusoe! Oh, how in the world could they do so? They have set him afloat, in a horrible boat, Oh, poor pig Robinson Crusoe!” – from the book The charming story of Robinson, the pig from Edward Lear’s poem The Owl and the Pussycat. Robinson is sent to market by his aunts, both of whom are too fat to go themselves. Featured on Call of...

Weird Tales Double Feature The Haunter in the Dark and The Thing on the Door-Step by H. P. Lovecraft. Featured on Call of Cthulhu. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Colour Out of Space by H. P. Lovecraft. “The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown.” This creepy horror story is one of the best written by Lovecraft in my opinion. What unknown being is lurking out there? What entity arrived in that meteor? Never described exactly, yet he manages to let your own imagination smell and tast...

Dunwich Horror (Version 2) by H. P. Lovecraft. Horror stalks the earth. There are many dimensions that coexist with our universe and, unfortunately, overlap it in very special places. The horrific beings that live in these other dimensions are ancient, terrifying and very malign. This story is about one of these overlapping spots in a decaying community in the USA where these beings can interact w...

Shadow Over Innsmouth by H. P. Lovecraft. Unspeakable monstrousness overhung the crumbling, stench-cursed town of Innsmouth... and folks there had somehow got out of the idea of dying... Featured on Call of Cthulhu. Public-domain recording courtesy of LibriVox (librivox.org). This episode includes AI-generated content.

At the Mountains of Madness, Version 2 by H. P. Lovecraft. A scientific expedition to Antartica discovers the ruins of a civilization millions of years old, built by the Elder Things, beings who came to Earth shortly after the formation of the Moon. But are the ancient Elder Things extinct, or do they still roam the Earth? A classic tale of horror by H.P. Lovecraft that first appeared in Astoundin...

Seven H.P. Lovecraft Stories by H. P. Lovecraft. Howard Phillips Lovecraft, better known as H.P. Lovecraft, was an American author of horror, fantasy, poetry and science fiction, especially the subgenre known as weird fiction and many feel he is the acknowledged master of creepy, weird and unsettling stories. These are seven stories by Lovecraft that literally span his career; some being written w...

The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by H. P. Lovecraft. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Collected Public Domain Works of H. P. Lovecraft by H. P. Lovecraft. This episode includes AI-generated content.

Supernatural Horror in Literature by H. P. Lovecraft. This episode includes AI-generated content.

"Call of Cthulhu" by H. P. Lovecraft delves into the cosmic horror of the unknown, exploring themes of madness, the insignificance of humanity, and the fragility of reality. This seminal work introduces readers to the terrifying presence of Cthulhu, an ancient entity that lies dormant beneath the sea, symbolizing the vast, incomprehensible forces that lurk just beyond human perception. Lovecraft's...

"Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a timeless exploration of the American Dream, wealth, and the pursuit of happiness set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties. Through the eyes of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and his obsession with the elusive Daisy Buchanan, the novel delves into themes of love, loss, and the moral decay hidden beneath the glitz of high society. Its enduring relevance l...

"Shrine of Death and Other Stories" by Emilia Francis, Lady Dilke, invites listeners into a captivating collection of narratives that explore the intricacies of life, death, and the human experience. With a keen eye for detail and a profound understanding of the emotional landscape, Dilke's stories resonate with timeless themes that continue to echo in today's world. Her exploration of mortality a...

"Intoxicated Ghost And Other Stories" by Arlo Bates invites listeners into a realm where the supernatural intertwines with the human experience, exploring themes of intoxication and the spectral. Bates crafts narratives that delve into the complexities of existence, offering a timeless reflection on the interplay between the seen and unseen. This collection resonates today as it prompts us to conf...

"Shadow Over Innsmouth" by H. P. Lovecraft is a haunting tale that delves into the eerie secrets of a decaying seaside town, where the protagonist uncovers a dark history intertwined with ancient deities and the unsettling consequences of forbidden knowledge. This chilling narrative explores themes of isolation, fear of the unknown, and the fragility of sanity, making it a timeless reflection on h...

"Seven H.P. Lovecraft Stories" presents a compelling collection of the master of cosmic horror's most influential tales, showcasing the unique blend of dread and fascination that defines Lovecraft's work. These stories delve into the unknown and the incomprehensible, exploring themes of fear, existentialism, and the insignificance of humanity in the vast universe. Lovecraft's ability to evoke a se...

"Dunwich Horror" by H. P. Lovecraft delves into the eerie and unsettling events surrounding the rural town of Dunwich, where unnatural occurrences unfold, hinting at a dark lineage and the consequences of forbidden knowledge. This tale explores themes of isolation, the unknown, and the fragility of human understanding in the face of cosmic horrors. Lovecraft's masterful prose immerses listeners in...

"Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" by Robert Louis Stevenson delves into the duality of human nature through the chilling tale of a man who creates a potion that transforms him into a monstrous alter ego. This classic story explores themes of identity, morality, and the struggle between good and evil, making it a timeless reflection on the complexities of the human psyche. Its enduring rele...

"Stories of the Rhine" by Alexandre Chatrian and Émile Erckmann offers a captivating collection of tales steeped in the rich folklore and history of the Rhine River region. These stories weave together elements of the supernatural, local legends, and the essence of human experience, creating a tapestry that reflects both the beauty and the mystery of the landscapes they depict. With themes of trad...

"Smoking Leg and Other Stories" by John Metcalfe offers a compelling collection of narratives that delve into the complexities of human experience. Each story captures the essence of life's peculiarities, inviting listeners to reflect on the nuances of existence. Metcalfe's unique storytelling style resonates with timeless themes of identity, longing, and the often surreal nature of reality. As li...

"Closed Cabinet-Anonymous" invites listeners into a world of mystery and introspection, exploring the depths of human experience and the complexities of identity. This thought-provoking narrative resonates with timeless themes of secrecy, self-discovery, and the often-hidden aspects of our lives that shape who we are. As listeners traverse the intricate layers of the story, they are prompted to re...

"Door of the Unreal" by Gerald Biss invites listeners into a captivating exploration of the boundaries between reality and the surreal. This thought-provoking narrative delves into the nature of perception and the mysteries that lie beyond the tangible world. Its themes resonate deeply in our contemporary society, where the line between truth and illusion often blurs, making it a compelling listen...