"It Happened on the Mysterious Isle of Seacliffe" by Ian Gordon
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- Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
- "It Happened on the Mysterious Isle of Seacliffe" was first presented as HorrorBabble's fourth Twelve Days of Christmas special, from December 26th, 2020, through to January 6th, 2021.
In the last days of 1990, a writer sets out to explore a shadowy island in the North Sea. The little-known Isle of Seacliffe has long haunted the dreams of the middle-aged author-will his long-awaited excursion scratch a lifelong itch?
Chapters:
0:00:00 - Title
0:00:24 - On Seacliffe
0:02:58 - Introduction
0:03:18 - Part I: An Island in the Darkness
0:12:32 - Part II: Sirens
0:19:56 - Part III: Market Day
0:29:16 - Part IV: The Pier Pirate
0:40:04 - Part V: The Seven Sisters
0:52:16 - Part VI: The Critters
1:02:10 - Part VII: A Blood Moon Rises
1:10:34 - Part VIII: The House on Silver Street
1:18:34 - Part IX: Crimson Waters
1:26:42 - Part X: The Silhouettes
1:34:22 - Part XI: The Call
1:45:06 - Part XII: The Return of the Sleeping King
2:04:09 - Further Listening
Bandcamp link: horrorbabble.bandcamp.com/alb...
Written and Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble
Music and Production by Ian Gordon & Jennifer Gill
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This is an ORIGINAL HorrorBabble Production. - Розваги
"It Happened on the Mysterious Isle of Seacliffe" was first presented as HorrorBabble's fourth Twelve Days of Christmas special, from December 26th, 2020, through to January 6th, 2021.
In the last days of 1990, a writer sets out to explore a shadowy island in the North Sea. The little-known Isle of Seacliffe has long haunted the dreams of the middle-aged author-will his long-awaited excursion scratch a lifelong itch?
Chapters:
0:00:00 - Title
0:00:24 - On Seacliffe
0:02:58 - Introduction
0:03:18 - Part I: An Island in the Darkness
0:12:32 - Part II: Sirens
0:19:56 - Part III: Market Day
0:29:16 - Part IV: The Pier Pirate
0:40:04 - Part V: The Seven Sisters
0:52:16 - Part VI: The Critters
1:02:10 - Part VII: A Blood Moon Rises
1:10:34 - Part VIII: The House on Silver Street
1:18:34 - Part IX: Crimson Waters
1:26:42 - Part X: The Silhouettes
1:34:22 - Part XI: The Call
1:45:06 - Part XII: The Return of the Sleeping King
2:04:09 - Further Listening
Bandcamp link: horrorbabble.bandcamp.com/album/it-happened-on-the-mysterious-isle-of-seacliffe
Written and Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble
Music and Production by Ian Gordon & Jennifer Gill
Become a HorrorBabbler here on UA-cam:
ua-cam.com/users/horrorbabblejoin
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
The Little Men of County (phonetically) Bravadas are haunting me.
This is not the first, maybe only the latest video of yours in which they are mentioned. Another is (If I Recall Correctly) _the Things That Came From Winter Hill_ . I've tried looking for that name, and haven't found it. I've begun to assume it's a story you have in mind to write but have not written yet-- unless it's special content of yours through Patreon? I'm really going to start worrying if I see them out in the fields, or the woods, or out of the corner of my eye...
But seriously, just the name reminds me of the legendary Rocky Mountain Pygmies of NA.
@@NajwaLaylah Oh, they're out there...
You are single-handedly embodying the genre of eldritch horror for those of us in the 21st century. Thank you for everything you do.
Thanks, Ryan!
A little Innsmouth, a little Wickerman, and a lot of HorrorBabble - LOVE IT!!!!
But the first Wicker Man. The remake felt like a pale imitation to me.
@@davagain Oh, most definitely - the remake was a hilariously terrible ridiculous farce. "NOT THE BEES!!! NOT THE BEES!!!"
Ian’s stories are ‘A riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma...’
‘...deep fried in a crispy taco shell and served with tangy homestyle guacamole’
A little? Hehe
A Shadow Over Innmooth my favorite story. I always hoped they would make that story into a really good horror film
I didn’t realize when starting this tale that it was a Gordon original, and was blown away by the fact when I noticed. Excellent work!
Thanks! I appreciate that.
THANK YOU IAN for acknowledging Dagon's humble origins as a fertility god. Did not at all expect that, and after a long and stressful day now relaxing to your voice this small detail made me smile (something I needed badly)!
Overall pretty amazing, its like The Shadow of Innsmouth but filled with community and friendly faces instead of dread and decay. In a way that only makes it more disturbing.
I really do not understand the plastic pirate however.
No one does
Yeah the plastic pirate feels out of place.
I'm fairly certain that the personality of Mr Gordon has actually been replaced by those of Lovecraft, Ashton Smith, Bloch and Derleth, through some occult ritual. Superb story.
I can see that
Listened to each one as they were released, now listening to the entire thing through again. Am I addicted? Yes...yes, I'm addicted. More visits to Seacliffe, please, Ian!
I must say this is in my opinion one of your best yet! I especially like how the main character has a clear drive and reasons to linger and experience a sense of calmness in reaction to all of the bizarre events and how his sense of familiarity grows as the story progresses. It reminds me of Shadow over Innsmouth, but the perspective of the narrator is different, which gives this story it's own unique feel.
Well done. I appreciate the cassette tape.
Ya. I kinda miss those things in weird way
Absolutely gripping from start to finish, with the suspense building at a perfect pace. I love hearing a narration by the author because you know it is being read exactly as intended. Have just recommended this story to a friend.
Thank you for checking this one out!
Superb story! Would love to hear more tales of Seacliffe.
Thanks, Jenny.
You've done it again sir Ian, thank you, master of horror!
I wonder where you got the inspiration for this story?
A weird trip to Scarborough... If enough people are interested, we'll put a video together on the subject at some point.
You've got my attention, I think that would be a very interesting story
Ian Gordon is exceptionally talented! i’ve listening to this one about 5 times, and it never loses its charm
Oh yeah, it's all coming together...
I often find myself listening to your channel as I walk on the trails here, sometimes walking fifteen miles or more lost in your masterful storytelling! Brilliant work👍👍 two thumbs up
This was a great story and narration. I look forward to more of the same, Mr. Gordon.
A great story and very well told. A pity the author didn't find a happyish ending among his folk in Seacliffe. One of the best tales and tellings I've listened to in this channel.
Thank you for listening!
Listening for a second time confirmed that this is the very best of your Christmas specials. The plot holds together perfectly, and the balance between the human and the weird kept me gripped throughout.
A great story, brilliantly realised 👌
Seacliffe needs a visit from Peter Van Melsen, I think.
Since day one, I've been a fan of Ian's narrations. His writing has increasingly amazed me as I've encountered it here in this amazing collection. I would very much like to work with Ian in collaboration with creating a figure of his Sleeping King to go along with my plans of making large figures of Dagon and Cthulhu.
I'd love to see those large figures you're planning.
Woot woot! I've held off listening to this so I could listen in it's entirety. Thank you for immortalizing me, Ian! As always a fantastic original work.
You're welcome, Mark! Glad you enjoyed it.
I like the visual conceit or whatever you call it of the cassette tape. 40 minutes in I'm strongly suspecting the writer may not survive this.
This was absolutely fantastic!! Can’t wait for more from you. I was thrilled the entire time, and with the rising if the sleeping king I found myself trembling in horror.
This is one of, if not my favorite story of yours. I find myself coming back to it every now and again, it’s that good.
Exceedingly well written, I found myself forgetting that i wasn't listening to an actual lovecraft piece several times
Thanks for the kind words.
Well done Ian, across the board. Bravo.
Many thanks!
its the perfect night for an ian gordon hb original 💞
I thought this might have been a Lovecraft tale that I somehow had missed. Great work Mr. Gordon. Great writing. Excellent narration.
Many thanks!
That was magnificent! What a wonderful, original homage!
I feel like this is a well written wintertime "sibling" story to The Wicker Man that follows a clear Lovecraftian route. It takes place on the Isle of Seacliffe during winter, the story is inspired by/using the Cthulhu mythos (Dagon and Shadow of Innsmouth), replacing celtic paganism. The characters, the plot and the writing are spot on, making this story comprehensively different from The Wicker Man beyond the basic idea. Really really good, I really enjoyed this.
Had time to catch about half of this back around Christmas, before I got busy with other things. I cannot wait to finish it up. 🙏
I’m so excited to hear what happens! 😄 Actually, it will be nice to hear it all pieced together for the continuous tale. Thank you!
Nice ending soundtrack...so nice...TY *HorrorBabble* 🎼🎼🎼🎶🎵👍👍👍👍👍 I had to get one of my cats to a vet ...hour there & hour back & so glad for the morning appt...so hot where we are in afternoon...been a terrible day after a terrible night but we found out what is wrong w/her so not as awful as we thought...we luv our fur babies😻😻😻😻😻😻😻
I get 'The Third Day' vibes from this story. Love it! Amazing !
It’s my wife’s 50th so we’re both quite merry and I’d never told her you immortalised me - we’ve both just been crying with laughter - my sides are hurting.
Every credit mate - that’s even funnier than I remember !!!
Thanks for making us laugh when there’s so much misery knocking about.
Big love to u and Jen and have top xmas
Xxxx
Happy Birthday to your wife, Paul! From Jennifer and me...!
And Merry Christmas to you both, too. Always good to hear from you! Ian
I just wanna say your work has had a big impact on my life and it means a lot. Ive began to dabble in readings myself, even putting out my own version of the black kiss. On top of that it has inspired me to write the horror anthology that began building in my mind as i got started. Truly the best reader on the site! Keep on pushing forward and may your works get even more recognition!
Thank you!
Yay! Thanks for making my Monday more enjoyable!
This has been terrific!! Thank you!!
Very good, it kept me enthralled to the very end.
Awesome writing and narration you my good sir are a scholar and a gentleman a one man army indeed keep up the awesome work your an inspiration to many
"Like an achohol-fueled snowball..." love that.
Really enjoyed this!!!
Thiswas excellent. There are lots of references without seeming derived. You smush all our ideas together, and you do damn well.
N.B. I listen at night and need strong glasses.
It's The Wicker Man meets Shadow over Insmouth. Love it !
What a fantastic story. You're quite an amazing writer, Ian!
LOVE YOUR WORK IAN .TOP SHOW 👍
Oh my God...you finally brought my part of the world into your mythos, thanks so much for this Ian, absolutely brilliant, I drive out to Port Mulgrave at least once a week to go on fossil hunts, I can almost imagine I am going to see Seacliffe from the coast next time...
Thank you! We love it out there... got to be the best thing about living in North Yorkshire!
@@HorrorBabble funnily enough I happened to be watching a wilderness walks type vid and he was very close to Winter Hill...How's about that for synchronicity? Loved the Seacliffe stuff, you have officially out Lovecrafted Lovecraft on that one...and small detail but I love that all the the street names were Whitby streets, much love to you!
Excellent story Ian, your voice draws me in so I’m an observer within the story 🤙
Thanks for listening, Dauna!
Wow this story was really amazing! well done Ian 10/10 sir!😊👍
Thanks for another Christmas Tale :)
I'll never think of Scarborough in the same way again!
Thank you!
Very good story. I really do enjoy your original works as well as your readings.
You got me Ian, I'm hooked. Cheers!
Brilliant, positively brilliant!
Thank you!
new fan of the channel here. loved this piece and great narration as usual!
Awesome, thank you!
Hurrah for the whole thing as one file, I shall listen tomorrow running many errands! Many thanks :)
so excited for this!!! thank you! you’ve made my friday night
BRAVO. and Ian...please...take us back to Seacliffe...soon. ;) BRILLIANT so well done sir :)
I think this is one of my favourite things.
Nice piano at the end of this one. Let's one reflect
This one was very cool, excellent story, kept me interested all the way through!
Absolutely fantastic. Thank you.
My Goodness, Mr. Gordon
Whilst never visiting Seacliff before, my recent journey through Winter Hill bodes well.
That was spot on 👌 thank u fantastic
I kinda took a break from horror babble for awhile, found this the other day, probably listened to it several times already, it was fun, thank you for your time into this.
Thanks for visiting us again, George!
TWO ON ONE !!!
Really enjoyed this - I remember a most pleasurable holiday at Runswick Bay a few years ago, we visited Staithes, I found many fossils at Runswick.....I wish I'd gone to the isle of Seacliffe as well!!! But now I have, thankyou
Thanks again, Lizzie!
Good story, excellent narration. Now I want to know more about Seacliffe.
👏🏿👏🏿 loved it! 🖤🖤
I must have missed this when it came out. I love it. But did you have to make the bloody food sound so good? I'm trying to sleep. I don't need to be up and hunting for sausages. Pure gastronography.
I love me a good meal!
Ahhhh..... Mr. Gordon, sunken bells are tolling for thee! 🐙
Excellent Story, told superbly.
Really enjoyed this piece.
Please, where can I hear and download the music at the end of the story, I think its wonderful, so evocative, everything is so well done, congratulations on a fantastic job. You have become my continuos companion while I work on my paintings. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your efforts.
Thank you, Bernardo! You can listen to that particular piece and a selection of other HorrorBabble pieces, here: iangordon.bandcamp.com/album/exercises-in-audible-dread-2022
The piece in question is called "The Return of the Sleeping King".
@@HorrorBabble You are so kind, thank you very much, and keep-up the great work. I've been struggling economically for the past few years, but I would like nothing better than to be able to help you continue with this great project.
Amazing and thrilling, I absolutely loved this story!
Thank you!
This one is EXCELLENT
Thank you for creating and sharing
Sorry for the delay in response
I had waited until the entire series was posted ,intending to do a Binge listen as a Christmas treat to myself
But I was unable to arrange for suitable block of time until recently
Really enjoyed this offering
It has become one of my faves of your inventory
I REALLY like the idea / concept that the Sleeping King was not the usual malign entity bent on the destruction of the earth and / or the subjugation of humanity Instead he was a refugee driven from his home and finding safe harbor and acceptance among the people of Earth / the inhabitants of Seacliffe To my mind that is a WONDERFUL idea I really do like the idea/ concept of willing sacrifices and that such offerings are the only ones the entity will accept I wish these ideas were more common in the crop of fiction
Well Done
I happily note the appearance of James Johnston character in Chapter Six and his pink fronted cottage and lounge / front described as" a shrine to all things trash " and was pleased to see that he was one of the willing sacrifices
I thought those eight sided plates was a nice detail
I did enjoy all the references to food ( at the market , the complimentary breakfast at the Golden Crab )
I thought the nazi pilot's encounter with the Sleeping King was an excellent detail and a nice bit of story construction
I thought the statement ( Chapter Five) that Seacliffe was now the Sleeping King's home makes a very good point that I was very happy and pleased to note
Those narrow winding streets made for another great detail
In closing
GREAT story
Thank you for it
Thrilled you enjoyed it, Jim!
So happy to be a character in one of your stories (even if it is an alias)! Thank you so much!
"Shadowy rumours pertaining to cult activity" leads to FEWER tourists? Truly this is a strange and outlandish tale.
If it weren't for small additions like 'fabric softener' and (happily) the lack of xenophobia, I'd have thought this was a work by Lovecraft himself! :D The details are terrific, and I especially loved all the cultural details in the the market scene.
I hope that's not read as a slight to your originality or skill as a writer!!
It does lack Lovecraft's trademark racism, but hey, not gonna complain, are we ?
@@philipclay8531 or as a slight to fabric softener ; )
@@thrownswordpommel7393 hahaha not complaining at all!!!
Well done!
Loved it. Well done. I get it about the Coalfish, it has to be fishlike with dead fish eyes and sharp teeth.
Ian I'm a great admirer of your work. But this one has left me chomping at the bit for an answer that maybe I'm too dense to see. What was the significance of the pirate? Can you or someone else tell me if I missed something?
I've listened twice now and am can't shake the feeling that something is right in front of me.
same here! especially with the plastic arm found at the end...I cant figure out if its a reference or an inside joke..who is the pirate?!why was the writer never found(presumed dead) if he was one of them?!noone would have believed his story anyway so why kill him?..usually I love unanswered questions in Lovecraftian works but this is kinda bothering me.haha!
My lips are sealed, Joshua!
YEP BRILLIANT THANKS PALL
Thx for the good stuff 👻
Great Job
The "Toy Story" part in the story was shocking from so long ago. Over the years our stories have kept the same outlines.
Loving the casset...ahhh walkmans
Good book 👍
Fab!❤
And without further ado, I am going to listen to them all .... Thanks Ian....!
By the way, I recently stumbled across a little book (a Star book, published 1977, London) called Weird Legacies, with nine stories from Weird Tales. The oldest from 1929 up to 1973. Therein I found a few Stories written in collaboration by a few great names I never knew had collaborated...! Clark A. Smith and Lin Carter with "The Utmost Abomination". And my favorite: Robert Bloch and Henry Kuttner with "The Black Kiss" A real Cthulhu Myth story. "The Survivor" by H.P. Lovecraft and August Derleth I didn't know either and is a jewel of a story. I wonder if you know these stories. I never came across them before. All the best and stay healthy in these strange times.
Thanks Roland! I'll do a bit of digging. There are usually copyright issues associated with Carter, Bloch, Kuttner and Derleth, but you never know... occasionally we get lucky! Ian
Really good tale
This is a gooood one
Wait, but what's up with that pirate? Why was it's arm in the briefcase? Did I miss something, I must know
"Arrg, its driving me nuts!"
@@RodIII1000 What? The steering wheel in your pants? 😂😂😂
Hello Mr. Horrorbabble, I was wondering if you could do a reading of "A desert episode" by Algernon Blackwood. Such a beautiful story but the only audio out there is very monotone.
Hello! Feel free to forward any suggestions via our website: www.horrorbabble.com
Much appreciated!
Excellent story. The only thing I am confused about is the Blackbeard statue. What are who was he and what was his purpose?
Any help from you all out there would be very appreciated.
As any good story teller knows, it's the mystery that remains.
Yeah, I am confused as well.
Reminds me of my first visit to Whitby.
Very Innsmouth , Very Lovecraftian
Having listened to all 12 parts my only beef is the location. The North Sea just feels wrong. I think this would be much better set off the South-West coast of England. Tin mining has a long history there as do (allegedly) druidic rites and rituals which I think this story alludes to, at least to my mind anyway. It's a minor gripe which I'm sure most people would disagree with but I did find it affected my ability to suspend disbelief.
@Azhag Dark Er, no. It's either the English Channel or the Atlantic Ocean. The North Sea would cover, on the UK side, anywhere roughly from the Thames Estuary North to the Orkney Islands, maybe the Shetlands.
Maybe it's my memory or maybe Ian changed that detail of the introduction when he re-uploaded it but the story now refers to lead mining which is slightly more plausible. However, this brings its own set of problems which doesn't help with my suspension of disbelief. Which is a shame. I am sounding like a bit of a grouch but as I've started writing historical fiction during the COVID lockdown as a way of keeping sane I value a bit of accuracy. Again this is my taste and not meant to devalue the story in any way.
Hello, sir! I'm not usually a big fan of breaking things down after the event, but... The rough basis for the island was the Isle of Man, which, in addition to certain topographical features I was looking for, has a history of iron ore mining (tin was never mentioned). As for the North Sea, the story was inspired by a particularly 'weird' visit to Scarborough last year (we may put a video together on the subject eventually). Plus, I'm a Northerner living in York... Got to represent! ;) Thanks for listening, either way. Ian
@@HorrorBabble Cheers Ian. Heaven knows why I ever thought it was tin! Rather makes a mockery of my initial comment doesn't it. i can see your logic in creating the fictional island and whether I think that's an entirely believable location is by-the-by now. In my opinion if you choose to return to Seacliffe the effect of the lead mining on the island's populace could be expanded upon. I can't remember if it was Lovecraft or one of his circle who wrote the story about the family with the mismatched eyes who had disappeared but turned out to have become inbred and cannibalistic living underground. Maybe the denizens of Seacliffe could go that way too? Or at least something similar. After all the population is small, the island is shunned by outsiders, and lead poisoning has to take its toll on the mental faculties of the residents. Just an idea. Maybe some doctors could visit the island to inoculate everyone against COVID only to find the place deserted? I'm sure you could put a cosmic horror aspect in there too.
Anyway, keep up the good work. I've been a big fan of Lovecraft and his acolytes for decades and I find your readings make for excellent listening before I go to sleep.
Blimey... sounds like you should pen the follow-up! We'll see about revisiting Seacliffe in the future...
I like it. Good horror fiction.