Back From The Grave by Robert Silverberg
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- Опубліковано 17 вер 2024
- Robert Silverberg, born in Brooklyn, New York, on January 15, 1935, is a highly esteemed author known for his significant contributions to the world of speculative fiction. With a career spanning several decades, Silverberg's journey into the literary world began in his early teenage years, when he started submitting stories to science fiction magazines. He graduated from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature in 1956, all while crafting stories that would earn him recognition as the "best new writer" with his first Hugo Award that same year. Notably, Silverberg's prolific output during the 1950s and 1960s, with an average of five published stories per month, established him as a prominent figure in the genre.
However, in the late 1950s, Silverberg diversified his writing efforts to other genres due to changes in the science fiction market. This period saw him prolifically producing works under various pseudonyms, including a substantial collection of erotic novels published as "Don Elliott." His transition to exploring more literary themes began in the 1960s, a shift marked by his association with the "New Wave" movement and a renewed focus on character development and social depth. Later in his life, after experiencing personal challenges, he retired from writing in 1975 but returned with renewed vigour in 1980 with the acclaimed "Lord Valentine's Castle." In 2005, he received the prestigious title of SFWA Grand Master from the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, cementing his legacy in the genre.
During this period, Silverberg produced a string of critically acclaimed novels, including "To Open the Sky," "Downward to the Earth," "To Live Again," "The World Inside," and "Dying Inside." These works showcased his ability to merge profound themes with gripping narratives and garnered him multiple Hugo and Nebula Award nominations and wins. His return to writing in 1980 with "Lord Valentine's Castle" marked the beginning of the beloved Majipoor series, known for its intricate world-building and rich character development.
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I found myself claustrophobic and finding it hard to breathe listening to this tale. Wnderfully read.
Me too!
Me as well! 😮
Maybe it's because I live alone and don't get out much (!), but I enjoy your ramblings after the stories as much as I enjoy the stories!
There aren't even words to describe the terror this conjures...
It seems like we're only getting the first act of the story here. Imagine what could follow the ending, him returning home to find his wife and her lover well settled into his former life using his wealth to enjoy their lives while Massey himself is a powerless shade who can do nothing but witness bitterly their happiness and love. Over time Massey could begin to influence the world around him and so haunt them in small ways, beginning his escalating quest for vengeance!
No vengeance, he got cucked
A chain of undertakers and funeral parlours in Ireland is called Massey Bros. Wonder if it's a coincidence? Hallowe'en has lost it's charm for me. Too much chocolate and not enough bonfires.
😅😅
😅😅
Fantastic story, fantastic narration.👍
This brought to mind the influential Massey family of Toronto and their beautiful mausoleum in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
Maybe that’s the inspiration?
Always a pleasure.
Thank you 🙏
Tony, you never bore me! I could listen to you talk about almost anything all day long.
I am never bored by your conversation. Most information is good to have thank you.
I appreciate that!
I was hoping to follow the story of going back to his house to haunt his widow.
I cannot wait to come to a 'live' reading Tony..I am moving back to the UK in 2025 so hopefully you'll have lots of dates by then...I could listen to you all night long..I think everyone should know you!
While the story is predictable, there was an overall feeling of claustrophobia, as another commentator mentioned. I found myself trying to breath shallow to understand what Massey might have been feeling. This was an enjoyable listen and your voice is very pleasant. Thank you!
glad you enjoyed it
This gave me shivers ❤ great read!
Passengers is one of the best short stories I have found.
Incidentally Robert silverberg wrote 256 novels as Don Elliott in 256 weeks of working time. He wrote six days a week on the seventh day he rested. The books were short maybe 45,000 words. He wrote them in a format ready to be ready to be printed with a camera taking an image directly from the manuscript page . No bad typewriter ribbons. Silverberg told me he seemed to call he got about $500 a book. In 1965 hundred dollars was a huge amount of money compared to what it is today. He also told me he regrets having done this because he thinks it hurt him as a writer . I read a couple of the Dan Elliott books out of curiosity and although they are quite competently written, ignoring the sex scene it had to be in every chapter, but rather routine and d u l l in an undistinguished way . Silver told me he thought these hurt him for doing these hurt him as a writer so he regrets having done them.
Dreams in the Witch House yes please! I love Morgan Scorpion’s rendition and that would in no way detract from hearing yours.
I strongly second this
Great narration!
Those two.....
"Halfwit".....I love that term. My family uses it all the time. Many are deserving of the title.
I love the rambles at the end of your recordings!
"Gentleman of the Road". Tony just admitted to being a highwayman! Just kidding.
I wanted him to go haunt the couple!! It ended too soon lol. But great job as usual, thank you!
GREAT CHANNEL
Settled down with this to help me sleep 😮😨
How did that go?
@@ClassicGhost badly 😳 , I listened to the end hoping it had a good ending so as not to have nightmares, you read it very well , but I’d rather not have heard it 😜
Good God I'm freaking out listening. Suffocating in claustrophobic visions
I’m not sure why? But EVERYTHING you have said? I’m so interested! It’s like sitting here chatting with a friend.
I listen so often! Thanks for the great visit this evening🥳
I'm glad you feel like that. That's what I wanted.
Will buy your book - promise 😊
Brilliant story. Thought he would wake up or be saved but nope 🎉😅. Loved the ending.
5 star approval on ramble. Anyone who doesn't like it, hates learning something new
So was I
Hi, Tony. I'm not sure about the ending. I was hoping that he would pay a little visit to his wife...😈
Such a great story and a great read 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
I think all of us who suffer with anxiety, panic attacks and the like will find this story deliciously triggering!
Nah we are fine,it’s distraction lol
If someone had described to me your comments you make at the end of a story and how Loosely they seem organized and that you seem sometimes to ramble actually by free association, I might not have thought they sounded like my thing to hear. But in practice I love them and can't get enough of them. I was disappointed to find there was no commentary after you're reading of turn of the screw. I have always found that a difficult story between fascinated by it.
I think it was because it was too long
Hey Tony. If UK Etsy is like US Etsy, then you can do all your posting on one day of the week. Just put it in your "shipping" policies. Once you get the order in, you can make a list of all the orders and batch your work on a specific day of the week like Wednesday. It makes things go faster and it doesn't eat up all your time.
That is very good advice otherwise i do tend to dash around
I read the story in the 1960s and I thought it was a very well done example of a story with a not original basic plot. I was a little surprised to speak badly of it. I was astounded to hear you speak slightly of the graveyard rats which I considered one of the great masterpieces,
Well, that was disturbing and amusing. Great narration, Tony. Love your rambles at the end.
I'm Really Trying to get through this whole story! Alas This is my greatest fear! My heart is pounding & I'm having flash sweats & I'm kinda dizzy! I'm only 7 minutes in!😢
I did it!
Silverberg was a master storyteller. I'll always read his stories. This isn't one of his best, but your narration made it very good!
Oh good lord.he can't breathe. I cant breathe am so tense. 😢
Thank you sir😊❤
Excellent!!!
You like Hawkwind, that's cool!
+@richjnev70 I love ‘em
Spoiler warning when speaking of stories with the same basic plot, The Outsider by HP Lovecraft comes to mind maybe the all-time greatest in this thing and nearly the best story Lovecraft ever wrote . The best story he ever wrote I think is an extremely short lesser known Nyarlathotep that is science fiction horror prose poem apocalyptic fantasy and a bunch of other things. In spite of it being only about a 1000 words I think you should consider recording and posting it
I really loved this story, found it riveting! Also found the end kind of beautiful.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well, that escalated quickly.
Very similar to the old movie from the early 90’s called “Buried Alive” with Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Love that movie and the second one too.
Well I enjoyed it..even if it was a bit brash! Maybe my experience was enhanced by listening to it whilst the wind is whistling and rain spattering the window of my studio during Storm Babette!
I'll look forward to your Halloween offerings whatever they are.
Welcome to the joys of selling on etsy! I've just ordered your book. Look forward to receiving it, but no rush over shipping...😊
Very entertaining little tale. Like an episode of The Twilight Zone.
I liked it 🎉
Much appreciated Tony,
I agree that the story missed the olive in the martini 🍸.
I'm sure that if you have the time, you could come up with a cocktail 🍹 much more delicious, ( maybe with a dash of aconite ).
I always enjoy your rambles, and often learn something new.
Halloween would be completely hollow down here in the south, if not for some spookiness from over the interweb.
Aminita Muscaria cures sound just the ticket at this time of year...
Maybe I'll email Erin Patterson for a recipe. 😱🍄
Oh and I just disovered Truman Capote's Miriam.
That was a surprise.
Cheers Tony.
Okay, sorry about the Patterson joke, and I actually can't tolerate alcohol, I just have symesthesia.
Tony, wow, that story had me at the edge of my seat. Literally. Thanks so much for sharing this story.
Where could I order your wife’s mushroom concoction? I suffer from chronic back and hip pain and am running out of options. Thanks
are you in the USA?
@@ClassicGhost Yes, Sir
I think the shipping might be a problem. see if you can source it within the US. Amanita Muscarina
@@ClassicGhost Thanks, I’ll look for it
@@ClassicGhost I looked up the name and it seems the mushroom is illegal to buy, sell or possess here in the USA. Bummer. Thanks nonetheless.
I enjoyed this story. Reminds me of a spooky story we would have told at a slumber party years ago. But I would have put my own spin on it and it would be better. Lol😂 35:53 When my son was 8 or 9, he was terrified of being buried alive. He either read something or saw a show where this happened. I kept trying to reassure him that this would never happen in today's world. I finally ended up telling him that if by some freak accident he was still alive when he went to the mortician. He would be checked again, and at that point, they would drain all his blood, or if cremation was chosen, he would be burned. Hence, there was no chance he would still be living. Of course this does not count any evil doings or criminal happenings.
I think the title was a bit of a lie. The story was good up to but not including the end. I feel Silverberg messed up, if people were around the grave and he saw his coffin, then it wasn't buried yet and someone should have heard him yelling. I cared less about what happened to him to be honest, but I wanted some kind of retribution to the cheating wife. There's so many ways he could have ended it better; the reading of the Will leaves her nothing if he died before their x anniversary which was a day later...or they have to dig him up and he wrote a note, that she's killed him, with his own blood. Or it's a bad dream in the hospital. And of course, we all (I think) expected a nice haunting, driving his wife insane and murdering her boyfriend, something.... The author just stopped.
lol the post story commentary is hilarious.
"I tried to be homeless but it was cold and not much fun so I called up my mom to pick me up."
Very enjoyable rendition, ever heard of Mr. King? X
+@heathermoulds73 Which Mr King ?🤴
Anyone who actually 'likes' this story is a masochist, but it was very, very good.
:)
I thought it might end something like, "Did you find the cufflink darling? We really must get that wardrobe door fixed."
Predictable but you made it enjoyable as usual.
This story is almost identical to Richard Matheson's short story, "Where There's A Will". I prefer Matheson's as it has a stronger ending but this came first.
Just FYI -- Amazon is still selling your books. Which one did they pull? I'd like to check and see if it's still listed too.
Can't imagine anyone sleeping through these podcasts, although it probably helps when you start with the story and do the commentary later. I'd listen to you read anything, no matter how 'mediocre', but my favorite bits are the commentary. Yeah I know I've said that before. hee
PS: REALLY looking forward to Sheila (sp?) joining your podcast for a foraging talk. Woo hoo!
It's going to be on Late Night Sleep Radio next time
Yes, amusingly, they are selling them because Ingram Spark send them their lists. So by the back door
@@ClassicGhost
Ah! Well I'm subscribed to both, so I won't miss it!
@@ClassicGhost
Which of your books did they pull? Are they at least paying you for the others?
Tony, I can’t seem to find you on Etsy. I entered your name and I got everything but you. Are you under a different name ?
Thx
classicghoststories.etsy.com that should get you there . Thanks for checking the store out Gerard
Thanks for the spoilers all...
Have you ever thought of selling (whatever it is these days cds?) With your readings of the haunting Dracula turn of the screw etc. You narrate so well and I see many people comment on that. Lighter to mail maybe? I thought I’d die laughing when you said my beloved dogs and Sheila.
I actually enjoy your ramblings. It's getting to know the voice behind the story a bit. The story itself was disappointing as wife and boyfriend shouldn't have gotten away with it.
It's a little odd. While I listened to this one yesterday, I thought Massey is a name I haven't heard before.
Well, I work at a cemetery. I'm lettering the front of a crypt and just glanced over to notice the name on the crypt next to it is Massey. (I don't know if it's spelled the same, but still a bit creepy.)
Good story. have you heard August Heat ?
@ClassicGhost No, I've never heard of it.. guessing it relates somehow?
Yep. except it was a hot day. he comes across a man engraving a funeral monument and the name is familiar . it’s on here
Louise... what a nasty young lady! Ah well... she will get hers. 😨
Thank you again Tomy!❤
I think I saw your books on Amazon, are you back on there?
Not via Amazon but via a back door (ssshhh! :)
Actually, I think, your views about amazon is to your credit.
Sheila is a lucky women.
Like many i did not realise Silverberg wrote anything but SF. I had been kind of out of reading for a while until.last year though. I agree with many here though not a great story..
I was rooting for Massey.
I thought there would be a haunting. I HOPED there would be a haunting. It feels kinda empty that those jerk wads just got away with it
I enjoyed the rant more than the story although I did like it. The author mentions strangulation then asphyxiation. There's a difference isn't there? That's me being pedantic.
Am I the only one who thought that was quite funny? I just discovered Silverberg on a sci fi channel! Typical timing. Thanks, Tony⚡️⚡️🪼🪼🪼 fish made of jelly…. How absurd.
For me, it is more who is the author than the title. I do not even consider the thumbnail. It is hard to even imagine that the thumbnail even matters to anyone in this context. EDIT The voice is also very important to me. If I do not like the voice, I will never finish the story.
Oh well, not all stories can be enjoyed by everyone. Mediocre at best. More a narration than a compelling read.
Calling a servant or his wife to open the curtains?😂
Don't you?
😂😂😂😂😂😂 x
Well read, but the following commentary was just stupid
I am the same tony......cross me and no more nice me. 😈
lol the post story commentary is hilarious.
"I tried to be homeless but it was cold and not much fun so I called up my mom to pick me up."