"Beyond the Wall of Sleep" is a science fiction short story by American writer H. P. Lovecraft, written in 1919 and first published in the amateur publication Pine Cones in October 1919. The tale tells of a former inmate at a mental hospital for the criminally insane, who claims to have been driven to violence following a series of deep and strange slumbers, in the Catskill Mountains. Chapters: 00:10 - Introduction 01:06 - Beyond the Wall of Sleep 29:40 - Further Listening Bandcamp link: horrorbabble.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-wall-of-sleep Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble Music and production by Ian Gordon Support us on Bandcamp or Patreon: horrorbabble.bandcamp.com www.patreon.com/horrorbabble HorrorBabble MERCH: teespring.com/stores/horrorbabble-merch Search HORRORBABBLE to find us on: AUDIBLE / ITUNES / SPOTIFY Home: www.horrorbabble.com Rue Morgue: www.rue-morgue.com Social Media: facebook.com/HorrorBabble instagram.com/horrorbabble twitter.com/HorrorBabble
Constitutional Remunerations totally agree, thanks to this channel I’ve managed to listen to all of these now. Wanted to do this for a long time too 🌠💥🌠
Am I the only person who's wondering why H.P. Lovecraft's imaginative, unusual stories and ideas aren't cliches in modern horror movies and novels? They were unique in Lovecraft's times (Lovecraft wasn't successful, in spite of his uniqueness) and they are unique now. Lovecraftian horror is worthy of exploring; can't people see that?!
That is a very good question indeed. I am new to Lovecraft's work yet am now just so taken with it and what it reveals about our innermost fears we want to evade, deny they are part of us and what they have to reveal about our halves that are often kept repressed and buried away, yet are never truly dispelled.
It’s curious indeed. But I am not certain a movie could faithfully reproduce the feeling of the stories they would be representing. You can get chills reading them. But could you get the same with a movie? Few producers would even dare try.
Nobody seems to be able to pull them off in movie style. Take The Color Out Of Space !!!! Absolutely butchered by Nicolas Cage. Ruined the entire feeling of the tale .
I do think Lovecraft’s work is hard to translate from page to screen. So much of his horror lies in the suggestion of things literally too dreadful to envision, while film demands that these horrors ARE made visible, at least to some degree. In effect, the medium of film fatally undercuts the unique “don’t dare to look!” atmosphere Lovecraft’s prose creates.
What's cool is that algol, the demon star is actually three stars orbiting each other but they hadn't known that back then. It predictably changes in luminosity because two of them are so close that they appear as one. The third (which orbits at a greater distance from the pair) must've came around while they were looking and that's what they're talking about.
Every time i listen to another lovecraft tale i think that i have finally heard/read all of his works, only to discover another one. This channel is fantastic, and listening to these weird tales as i work is a source of great enjoyment for me. Thanks for doing this.
This is one of Howard's more beautiful and surprisingly spiritual stories, where he's revealing that he's well aware of a greater reality beyond the material one. He had a gorgeous, perceptive mind, and unlike his character Joe Slater he had the language to articulate all he dreamt and felt. This story gave me chills, and I'm so happy to have discovered it and that Ian narrated it so wonderfully. 🖤
1. Beautiful work as always, Ian. Bravo! 2. Holy mackerel...Howie didn't think very highly of country folk, did he? "Oh sure, those Innsmouth people are pretty strange...but have you ever met a...a... [shudder] ...West Virginian?!?"
So Lovecraft's writing really reflects his desire or fantasy for a way of existence beyond the human and terrestrial environment. This story in particular may be interpreted as showing his fantasy wherein human beings (himself included, of course), are or can become lifeforms in some sort of a higher order of existence, with expanded intellect, individual power and freedom of movement in space and time. Also a recurring theme is his pessimistic speculation of how glimpses into such supernatural realms are likely to be received with disbelief, superstition and dismissal as mental defect by people engrossed in the mundane world. All things considered, the author is not really that difficult to understand, and his disposition has a sort of idealistic innocence to it when empathized with. Yes, I did write a literary analysis on my own accord.
Doesn't the ending imply he failed? Algol has been there for some time, surely it's made more than one enemy since then? Perhaps our celestial friend is one of many past attempts, hence Algols laughter and mocking.
Well done Ian...we your loyal minions wish to convey our appreciation and undying affection for you and Jennifer....😃💜 I think HPL might change his mind about the South if we gave him some gumbo, king cake and Jacques Daniel😃 HAPPY MARDI GRAS EVERYONE!
@@CJM-rg5rt I thought it was about surviving a heroin overdose. "Visions cupped within the flower, deadly petals with strange power": the poppy flower. It goes with Hand of Doom, another anti-heroin song. Maybe they got the title from Beyond the Wall of Sleep, but yeah I don't see any connection to it in the lyrics.
@@pythoncoder2000 wow that's cool! We all perceive it differently but that makes sense too. Wishing that the hands of doom could take your mind away and you don't care if you don't see again the light of day.. but that's clear as day off SBS. This song is more cryptic.
I am happy to have come across your channel as I kicked off my exploration of Lovecraft's work and am deeply immersed in his tales now. This being the sixth one I have listened to today! His talent of navigating through the human psyche is nevertheless intriguing and has an indelible grip on the reader, which is certainly evident through this story.
Great story and narration! I would love to know what Lovecraft dreamed of and intended to write about. I am always left wondering. Thanks for recording this classic!
I can always get behind lovecrafts dream focused work, its not usually what people associate the name with, but its just as interesting to see how he modernized the dreamer/oracle sort of idea edit: is it possible to sub to your band camp if i dont use GBP?
I don't think there are any restrictions re: currencies/locations. If you sign up and there are any problems, let us know here (www.horrorbabble.com/contact) and we'll reach out to Bandcamp!
It always makes me chuckle when Lovecraft or one of his contemporaries uses the phrase "white trash." It's not a term one typically associates with early 20th-century literature.
Lovecraft already saw how we dream our day and have the possibility of waking up when we "Dream" , what we now call lucid dreaming. Anybody who experienced such a dream knows what I am talking about.🤯😎
Magnificent reading as usual Mr. Gordon. May I suggest “The Trap” by H.P. Lovecraft and Henry Whitehead. I don’t believe I’ve seen that one in your Lovecraft library. 👋😁✌️
I keep thinking of the Smithereens song, "Behind the Wall of Sleep" which, by the way, has absolutely no connection to this story other than the title.
Since this is technically a thread I might as well share my experience, I first had the vision after getting hit by my father (one of many times) when I angrily went into my room to write a poem to let out my frustrations. I ended up writing a very long, very descriptive Dante’s inferno style of writing which was pretty cool, I sat down after writing, still enraged drunk very tired and began to meditate. About 15 minutes into the guided meditation on my phone I began to have a weird dream like vision. In this vision (very vivid might I add) I was smoking cannabis with my friends in a room, the setting was nice and home-like but there were no windows or doors, which I did think was strange but was already accustomed to from my stays at the hospitals being in what they called the “quiet room” which is a padded cell for patients who are either violent or capable of violence. (I got in a fight and had to defend myself.) Regardless, let me get back to the story, So, out of literal thin air, a man appears in a dark corner of the room and sat down next to me, i was already frightened considering the mans red face paint and head to toe tattoos, as the joint slowly makes its way around the group, the man hands reaches to hand me it for my turn, but instead pulls out a knife of some sort and stabs me incredibly fast. I woke up from this vision gasping for air, so startled and shaken up I literally told my family immediately, Luckily I wasn’t sent back to the hospital for this because my family is pretty weird, we’re basically the real life version of the Addams family from the movies. I’ve had this “vision” for lack of a better word almost every week since then when I dream at night. My theory for all of this? I’m not really sure, maybe it was the gift of a life lesson bestowed upon me by someone or something. Either way if you’ve read this thank you for reading, goodnight.
"Beyond the Wall of Sleep" is a science fiction short story by American writer H. P. Lovecraft, written in 1919 and first published in the amateur publication Pine Cones in October 1919. The tale tells of a former inmate at a mental hospital for the criminally insane, who claims to have been driven to violence following a series of deep and strange slumbers, in the Catskill Mountains.
Chapters:
00:10 - Introduction
01:06 - Beyond the Wall of Sleep
29:40 - Further Listening
Bandcamp link: horrorbabble.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-the-wall-of-sleep
Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble
Music and production by Ian Gordon
Support us on Bandcamp or Patreon:
horrorbabble.bandcamp.com
www.patreon.com/horrorbabble
HorrorBabble MERCH:
teespring.com/stores/horrorbabble-merch
Search HORRORBABBLE to find us on:
AUDIBLE / ITUNES / SPOTIFY
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Loved this one.
Constitutional Remunerations totally agree, thanks to this channel I’ve managed to listen to all of these now. Wanted to do this for a long time too 🌠💥🌠
Am I the only person who's wondering why H.P. Lovecraft's imaginative, unusual stories and ideas aren't cliches in modern horror movies and novels? They were unique in Lovecraft's times (Lovecraft wasn't successful, in spite of his uniqueness) and they are unique now. Lovecraftian horror is worthy of exploring; can't people see that?!
Lovecraft was apparently ahead of his time,
That is a very good question indeed. I am new to Lovecraft's work yet am now just so taken with it and what it reveals about our innermost fears we want to evade, deny they are part of us and what they have to reveal about our halves that are often kept repressed and buried away, yet are never truly dispelled.
It’s curious indeed. But I am not certain a movie could faithfully reproduce the feeling of the stories they would be representing. You can get chills reading them. But could you get the same with a movie? Few producers would even dare try.
Nobody seems to be able to pull them off in movie style. Take The Color Out Of Space !!!! Absolutely butchered by Nicolas Cage. Ruined the entire feeling of the tale .
I do think Lovecraft’s work is hard to translate from page to screen. So much of his horror lies in the suggestion of things literally too dreadful to envision, while film demands that these horrors ARE made visible, at least to some degree. In effect, the medium of film fatally undercuts the unique “don’t dare to look!” atmosphere Lovecraft’s prose creates.
What's cool is that algol, the demon star is actually three stars orbiting each other but they hadn't known that back then. It predictably changes in luminosity because two of them are so close that they appear as one. The third (which orbits at a greater distance from the pair) must've came around while they were looking and that's what they're talking about.
Keep the Lovecraft coming! These ones are why I subscribed.
And we appreciate it hugely, Stefan!
This channel is criminally underrated.
I want a nerve powder and half years vacation too please!
Every time i listen to another lovecraft tale i think that i have finally heard/read all of his works, only to discover another one. This channel is fantastic, and listening to these weird tales as i work is a source of great enjoyment for me. Thanks for doing this.
I really liked this one. It still had the cosmic strangeness that we love so much from old HPL, but it was in some way, a happy ending.
This is one of Howard's more beautiful and surprisingly spiritual stories, where he's revealing that he's well aware of a greater reality beyond the material one. He had a gorgeous, perceptive mind, and unlike his character Joe Slater he had the language to articulate all he dreamt and felt. This story gave me chills, and I'm so happy to have discovered it and that Ian narrated it so wonderfully. 🖤
Every time I start to think I've fully plumbed the depths of the HorrorBabble back catalog, I eventually find another gem. Love it! 🎉
This is actually my favorite bedtime story when I’m having trouble sleeping. Ian’s voice is just so relaxing!
1. Beautiful work as always, Ian. Bravo!
2. Holy mackerel...Howie didn't think very highly of country folk, did he? "Oh sure, those Innsmouth people are pretty strange...but have you ever met a...a... [shudder] ...West Virginian?!?"
So Lovecraft's writing really reflects his desire or fantasy for a way of existence beyond the human and terrestrial environment. This story in particular may be interpreted as showing his fantasy wherein human beings (himself included, of course), are or can become lifeforms in some sort of a higher order of existence, with expanded intellect, individual power and freedom of movement in space and time.
Also a recurring theme is his pessimistic speculation of how glimpses into such supernatural realms are likely to be received with disbelief, superstition and dismissal as mental defect by people engrossed in the mundane world. All things considered, the author is not really that difficult to understand, and his disposition has a sort of idealistic innocence to it when empathized with.
Yes, I did write a literary analysis on my own accord.
Once again Mr. Gordon, bravo, bravo...keep those encores coming!!!🙏😱
Doesn't the ending imply he failed?
Algol has been there for some time, surely it's made more than one enemy since then?
Perhaps our celestial friend is one of many past attempts, hence Algols laughter and mocking.
Ian always says 'I hope you enjoy it' but frankly his voice is so soothing he could read utter trash & I'd enjoy relaxing to his tones
He could read the ingredients off of a shampoo bottle and I'd enjoy it. 😂 Rockin' red hair color btw!
Another masterpiece of the master of horror H. P. Lovecraft.
Thank you, Mr. Gordon, for a perfect narration of a beautiful story.
Had never heard this one and I enjoyed it. Thanks HorrorBabble.
For the longest time I couldn't remember which story had the thing that shines and shakes and laughs. I love it, thanks!
Ian I saw or rather heard your work on the dice add !! Pretty sweet
I'm taking over the internet... albeit slowly and inefficiently...!
HorrorBabble stick with it ian. I’m glad to know your having success. I wish the rest of yt was half as good as you’re channel
you're doing the old one's work. thanks for always putting out great content
Beautiful, thank you very much!! I very much appreciate all the Lovecraft you do!!
Well done Ian...we your loyal minions wish to convey our appreciation and undying affection for you and Jennifer....😃💜 I think HPL might change his mind about the South if we gave him some gumbo, king cake and Jacques Daniel😃 HAPPY MARDI GRAS EVERYONE!
Ooh! Excellent! The best of bed time stories!
Another excellent Lovecraft reading. 😃
Once again horrorbabble absolutely fantastic! I can safely say that was one of my favorites from the eternal lovecraft
Absolute king 👑 Thank you for putting my man H.P. Lovecraft out there.
Anybody know if this is where Sabbath got their inspiration for the song behind the wall of sleep?
Yes, read the lyrics, specifically while thinking about this story. It's loose, but directly related.
@@masediggity I can't find any relation. I always thought the song was cut and dry about feeling bad for yourself and pulling out of it.
@@CJM-rg5rt I thought it was about surviving a heroin overdose. "Visions cupped within the flower, deadly petals with strange power": the poppy flower. It goes with Hand of Doom, another anti-heroin song.
Maybe they got the title from Beyond the Wall of Sleep, but yeah I don't see any connection to it in the lyrics.
@@pythoncoder2000 wow that's cool! We all perceive it differently but that makes sense too. Wishing that the hands of doom could take your mind away and you don't care if you don't see again the light of day.. but that's clear as day off SBS. This song is more cryptic.
The only thing more impressive than the fantastic imagery in this early gem of Lovecraft's, is his apparent intense disdain of hillbillys, lol.
I am happy to have come across your channel as I kicked off my exploration of Lovecraft's work and am deeply immersed in his tales now. This being the sixth one I have listened to today! His talent of navigating through the human psyche is nevertheless intriguing and has an indelible grip on the reader, which is certainly evident through this story.
Great story and narration!
I would love to know what Lovecraft dreamed of and intended to write about. I am always left wondering.
Thanks for recording this classic!
Thanks again, Donald! The man had one heck of an imagination.
Loved this!
Came here to re-listen because of Stephen King’s You Like it Darker where he references this story.
One of my favorites from my youth. Keep up the good work Ian
Algor should have been mentioned in the Necronomicon. Nice video!!!!!!!!
I can always get behind lovecrafts dream focused work, its not usually what people associate the name with, but its just as interesting to see how he modernized the dreamer/oracle sort of idea
edit: is it possible to sub to your band camp if i dont use GBP?
I don't think there are any restrictions re: currencies/locations. If you sign up and there are any problems, let us know here (www.horrorbabble.com/contact) and we'll reach out to Bandcamp!
Whose dickishness do you think comes through strongest in their writing, Lovecraft or Howard?
Howard's does, IMHO.
Just downloaded all your tracks from spotify. keep up the good work
That story is very good !! Thank you Ian !!
Been looking for this story for years. Couldn't remember the name for the life of me.
It always makes me chuckle when Lovecraft or one of his contemporaries uses the phrase "white trash."
It's not a term one typically associates with early 20th-century literature.
Lovecraft already saw how we dream our day and have the possibility of waking up when we "Dream" , what we now call lucid dreaming. Anybody who experienced such a dream knows what I am talking about.🤯😎
Good story Ian thank you 👍
Just what I need before bed.
Truly wonderful performance!
I love this tale. Have you done The Beast in the Cave? That's probably my favorite short tale by Mr. Lovecraft
It'll be recorded eventually! Thanks for listening. Ian
You can tell Lovecraft is a Flatlander, city-slicker in his treatment of mountain folk.
My favorite story!
Great job, sir!
Magnificent reading as usual Mr. Gordon. May I suggest “The Trap” by H.P. Lovecraft and Henry Whitehead. I don’t believe I’ve seen that one in your Lovecraft library. 👋😁✌️
It's on the list!
Nice 👍 can’t wait.
Nicely done. As always.
H. P. Lovecraft + Black Sabbath= Greatness
Thank you
Don't agree with a lot of what Lovecraft has said, but, after 15
years in the catskills, he's not entirely wrong about the people up here. J/S
Great!
Wow this was excellent
I keep thinking of the Smithereens song, "Behind the Wall of Sleep" which, by the way, has absolutely no connection to this story other than the title.
This hits very close to home
Set this in the UK, and it'd be a similar situation for me I reckon. Ian
@@Heyithinkhejust I'm glad there's a bright side! Thanks for sharing, Adams!
Since this is technically a thread I might as well share my experience,
I first had the vision after getting hit by my father (one of many times) when I angrily went into my room to write a poem to let out my frustrations. I ended up writing a very long, very descriptive Dante’s inferno style of writing which was pretty cool, I sat down after writing, still enraged drunk very tired and began to meditate.
About 15 minutes into the guided meditation on my phone I began to have a weird dream like vision.
In this vision (very vivid might I add) I was smoking cannabis with my friends in a room, the setting was nice and home-like but there were no windows or doors, which I did think was strange but was already accustomed to from my stays at the hospitals being in what they called the “quiet room” which is a padded cell for patients who are either violent or capable of violence. (I got in a fight and had to defend myself.)
Regardless, let me get back to the story,
So, out of literal thin air, a man appears in a dark corner of the room and sat down next to me, i was already frightened considering the mans red face paint and head to toe tattoos, as the joint slowly makes its way around the group, the man hands reaches to hand me it for my turn, but instead pulls out a knife of some sort and stabs me incredibly fast.
I woke up from this vision gasping for air, so startled and shaken up I literally told my family immediately,
Luckily I wasn’t sent back to the hospital for this because my family is pretty weird, we’re basically the real life version of the Addams family from the movies.
I’ve had this “vision” for lack of a better word almost every week since then when I dream at night.
My theory for all of this? I’m not really sure, maybe it was the gift of a life lesson bestowed upon me by someone or something.
Either way if you’ve read this thank you for reading, goodnight.
Note: I was not drunk when this happened, that must’ve been some kind of typo, Sorry for the confusion.
@@Heyithinkhejust A dark, but fascinating experience. Thanks again for sharing, sir.
That powder sounds groveee
Lions gate films made this a film one of my favorites
Today is Lovecraft's 133rd Birthday.
We always miss it somehow!
Feeling like Slater....sad guy.
is it the new star that fades or capella ?
Anderson Thomas Taylor Angela Wilson Melissa
Did Lovecraft fuck with DMT? It sure seems like it...
Cheers mate!