Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft.

Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft.

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Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft. episodes

  • 65 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 4: A Mutation and a Madness (Part 1).
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 4: A Mutation and a Madness (Part 1).  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    23 min
  • 64 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 3: A Search and an Evocation (Part 2).
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 3: A Search and an Evocation (Part 2).  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    22 min
  • 63 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 3: A Search and an Evocation (Part 1).
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 3: A Search and an Evocation (Part 1).  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    28 min
  • 62 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 2: An Antecedent and a Horror (Part 2).
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 2: An Antecedent and a Horror (Part ).  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    18 min
  • 61 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 2: An Antecedent and a Horror (Part 1).
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 2: An Antecedent and a Horror (Part 1).  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    35 min
  • 60 - The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 1: A Result and a Prologue.
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward, Chapter 1: A Result and a Prologue.  
    The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is a horror novella by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written between January and March 1927 and first published posthumously in serialized form in the May and July 1941 issues of Weird Tales. Set primarily in Lovecraft's hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, during the early 20th century, the narrative centers on Charles Dexter Ward, a young, affluent antiquarian whose fascination with 18th-century colonial history leads him to investigate his distant ancestor Joseph Curwen, a notorious figure accused of sorcery and necromancy in the 1760s. This obsession draws Ward into a web of occult secrets, blending historical research with supernatural dread, and culminates in events that endanger his family and sanity. At approximately 51,500 words, it stands as Lovecraft's only full-length novel, marking a departure from his typical short fiction toward a more expansive, detective-like structure.  
    The story unfolds through the perspective of Dr. Marinus Willett, Ward's family physician, who recounts the young man's intellectual pursuits, behavioral changes, and eventual disappearance while sifting through historical documents, eyewitness accounts, and arcane discoveries. Lovecraft draws heavily on Providence's real colonial architecture, graveyards, and folklore—such as the historical persecution of Curwen, loosely based on an actual 18th-century figure—to ground the tale in atmospheric authenticity, emphasizing themes of genealogy, the perils of resurrecting the past, and humanity's vulnerability to cosmic forces beyond comprehension. Unlike many of Lovecraft's works featuring extraterrestrial entities, this novel focuses on human sorcery and alchemy, exploring how intellectual curiosity can unleash malevolent legacies.  
    First appearing in an abridged version in Weird Tales, the complete text was published in book form in 1943 by Arkham House, cementing its place in Lovecraft's oeuvre as a pivotal exploration of historical horror. The novella has influenced subsequent weird fiction and adaptations, including audio dramas and comics, for its intricate plotting and vivid evocation of New England gothic elements. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    13 min
  • 59 - The Colour Out of Space, Part 2.
    The Colour Out of Space, Part 2.  
    "The Colour Out of Space" is a science fiction horror short story by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written in early 1927 and first published in the September 1927 issue of Amazing Stories. The narrative, presented as a first-person account by an unnamed surveyor preparing a site near the fictional town of Arkham, Massachusetts, for a reservoir, recounts the catastrophic effects of a meteorite crash on a remote farm decades earlier, where an indescribable extraterrestrial entity—manifesting as an alien color—gradually corrupts the environment, crops, animals, and human inhabitants, leading to madness, mutation, and death.  
    The story unfolds through the recollections of local farmer Ammi Pierce, who describes how the meteorite, analyzed by university professors for its anomalous properties including a bizarre, iridescent hue unlike any known color and difficult to describe, begins to exert a insidious influence on the Gardner family and their land. Initially causing rapid, unnatural growth in vegetation and livestock, the entity's presence soon induces decay, with produce turning to ash, water becoming tainted, and family members exhibiting physical and mental deterioration, culminating in the complete annihilation of life on the farm and the formation of a barren "blasted heath." Lovecraft employs vivid, atmospheric descriptions to build dread, emphasizing the futility of scientific inquiry against incomprehensible cosmic forces.  
    Central to the tale are Lovecraft's signature themes of cosmic horror and human insignificance in the face of vast, indifferent alien intelligences, illustrated by the color's violation of earthly natural laws and its representation of an unknowable "other" that defies rational understanding. The story critiques inductive reasoning and scientific epistemology, drawing on influences like George Santayana and David Hume to underscore the limits of human knowledge when confronted with extraterrestrial contingencies. Widely regarded as one of Lovecraft's finest works, "The Colour Out of Space" has influenced subsequent horror and science fiction literature, with adaptations including a 2019 film directed by Richard Stanley starring Nicolas Cage. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    36 min
  • 58 - The Colour Out of Space, Part 1.
    The Colour Out of Space, Part 1.  
    "The Colour Out of Space" is a science fiction horror short story by American author H. P. Lovecraft, written in early 1927 and first published in the September 1927 issue of Amazing Stories. The narrative, presented as a first-person account by an unnamed surveyor preparing a site near the fictional town of Arkham, Massachusetts, for a reservoir, recounts the catastrophic effects of a meteorite crash on a remote farm decades earlier, where an indescribable extraterrestrial entity—manifesting as an alien color—gradually corrupts the environment, crops, animals, and human inhabitants, leading to madness, mutation, and death.  
    The story unfolds through the recollections of local farmer Ammi Pierce, who describes how the meteorite, analyzed by university professors for its anomalous properties including a bizarre, iridescent hue unlike any known color and difficult to describe, begins to exert a insidious influence on the Gardner family and their land. Initially causing rapid, unnatural growth in vegetation and livestock, the entity's presence soon induces decay, with produce turning to ash, water becoming tainted, and family members exhibiting physical and mental deterioration, culminating in the complete annihilation of life on the farm and the formation of a barren "blasted heath." Lovecraft employs vivid, atmospheric descriptions to build dread, emphasizing the futility of scientific inquiry against incomprehensible cosmic forces.  
    Central to the tale are Lovecraft's signature themes of cosmic horror and human insignificance in the face of vast, indifferent alien intelligences, illustrated by the color's violation of earthly natural laws and its representation of an unknowable "other" that defies rational understanding. The story critiques inductive reasoning and scientific epistemology, drawing on influences like George Santayana and David Hume to underscore the limits of human knowledge when confronted with extraterrestrial contingencies. Widely regarded as one of Lovecraft's finest works, "The Colour Out of Space" has influenced subsequent horror and science fiction literature, with adaptations including a 2019 film directed by Richard Stanley starring Nicolas Cage. 

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    47 min
  • 57 - The Dunwich Horror, Parts 8 - 10.
    The Dunwich Horror, Parts 8 - 10.  
    The Dunwich Horror is a seminal cosmic horror short story written by American author H. P. Lovecraft in 1928 and first published in the April 1929 issue of the pulp magazine Weird Tales. Set in the isolated, decaying fictional town of Dunwich in rural Massachusetts, the narrative explores themes of forbidden knowledge, ancient occult rituals, and the intrusion of incomprehensible otherworldly entities into human existence.  
    The story centers on the reclusive Whateley family, particularly the grandfather Old Whateley and his daughter Lavinia, whose unholy experiments with the Necronomicon—a fictional grimoire of eldritch lore—lead to the birth of Wilbur Whateley, a hybrid being who matures at an unnatural pace and exhibits grotesque, inhuman traits. Seeking to expand his occult pursuits, Wilbur attempts to steal a rare edition of the Necronomicon from the library of Miskatonic University in nearby Arkham, but he is killed by a guard dog during the attempt. This event unleashes the story's titular horror: an enormous, invisible, tentacled abomination sired by the cosmic entity Yog-Sothoth, which rampages through Dunwich, devouring livestock and humans alike before being exorcised by a trio of university scholars—Dr. Henry Armitage, Professor Rice, and Dr. Morgan—using incantations from the forbidden book.  
    As a cornerstone of Lovecraft's shared fictional universe known as the Cthulhu Mythos, The Dunwich Horror exemplifies his philosophy of cosmicism, emphasizing humanity's insignificance in the face of vast, indifferent forces beyond rational comprehension. The tale's vivid depictions of rural degeneracy, supernatural mutation, and sensory dread—such as foul odors signaling otherworldly presence—have influenced generations of horror writers and filmmakers, cementing its status as one of Lovecraft's most iconic and adapted works, including in films, comics, and role-playing games.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    46 min
  • 56 - The Dunwich Horror, Parts 5 - 7.
    The Dunwich Horror, Parts 5 - 7.  
    The Dunwich Horror is a seminal cosmic horror short story written by American author H. P. Lovecraft in 1928 and first published in the April 1929 issue of the pulp magazine Weird Tales. Set in the isolated, decaying fictional town of Dunwich in rural Massachusetts, the narrative explores themes of forbidden knowledge, ancient occult rituals, and the intrusion of incomprehensible otherworldly entities into human existence.  
    The story centers on the reclusive Whateley family, particularly the grandfather Old Whateley and his daughter Lavinia, whose unholy experiments with the Necronomicon—a fictional grimoire of eldritch lore—lead to the birth of Wilbur Whateley, a hybrid being who matures at an unnatural pace and exhibits grotesque, inhuman traits. Seeking to expand his occult pursuits, Wilbur attempts to steal a rare edition of the Necronomicon from the library of Miskatonic University in nearby Arkham, but he is killed by a guard dog during the attempt. This event unleashes the story's titular horror: an enormous, invisible, tentacled abomination sired by the cosmic entity Yog-Sothoth, which rampages through Dunwich, devouring livestock and humans alike before being exorcised by a trio of university scholars—Dr. Henry Armitage, Professor Rice, and Dr. Morgan—using incantations from the forbidden book.  
    As a cornerstone of Lovecraft's shared fictional universe known as the Cthulhu Mythos, The Dunwich Horror exemplifies his philosophy of cosmicism, emphasizing humanity's insignificance in the face of vast, indifferent forces beyond rational comprehension. The tale's vivid depictions of rural degeneracy, supernatural mutation, and sensory dread—such as foul odors signaling otherworldly presence—have influenced generations of horror writers and filmmakers, cementing its status as one of Lovecraft's most iconic and adapted works, including in films, comics, and role-playing games.

    Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/horror-stories-by-howard-phillips-lovecraft--7455588/support.
    40 min

About Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft.

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Horror Stories by Howard Phillips Lovecraft.  
Howard Phillips Lovecraft (August 20, 1890 – March 15, 1937) was an American author of weird fiction and horror, best known for originating the…