Episode 194: The Whisperer in Darkness (Part 1, Long Cut)

This is the longer, unedited version of this episode for backers only.

https://blasphemoustomes.com/2020/10/27/the-whisperer-in-darkness-part-1/

We’re back and we’re heading up into the hills of Vermont. A folklorist friend told us that the nice creatures that live there might make us some surprising offers. There’s a risk that we could undergo a repellent mental change, but it seems unlikely anyone will notice that. The whole thing sounds like it should be a mind-expanding experience that’s out of this world!

Main Topic: The Whisperer in Darkness part 1

This is the first instalment of a multi-episode delve into Lovecraft’s classic weird tale, “The Whisperer in Darkness”. As well as being a gripping yarn, this is one of the key stories of the Cthulhu Mythos. It not only introduces the mi-go, one of our favourite monsters, but also draws in a number of other writers’ creations.

Once again, the pandemic means we recorded this episode remotely. We have each forgotten what the others look like. These are strange times.

Links

Things we mention in this episode include:

• “The Whisperer in Darkness” by HP Lovecraft
• The King in Yellow by Robert W Chambers
• “Supernatural Horror in Literature” by HP Lovecraft
• A Dreamer’s Tales by Lord Dunsany
• At the Mountains of Madness by HP Lovecraft
• “The Shadow Out of Time” by HP Lovecraft
• An HP Lovecraft Encyclopedia by Joshi and Schultz
• “Vermont – a First Impression” by HP Lovecraft
• The Kalem Club
• The discovery of Pluto
• “The Novel of the Black Seal” by Arthur Machen
• The Three Impostors by Arthur Machen
• “The Great God Pan” by Arthur Machen
• “The Dunwich Horror” by HP Lovecraft
• The Great Vermont Flood of 1927
• The HP Lovecraft Literary Podcast
• Black Shuck
• Jiangshi (Chinese hopping vampires)
• Bubba Ho-Tep (2002)
• The Pennacook people
• The New Annotated HP Lovecraft by Leslie Klinger
• Kallikanzari
• Mi-Go as yeti/abominable snowmen
• “The Abominable Snowmen” from Doctor Who
• Charles Fort
• Charles Beaumont
• The Book of the Damned by Charles Fort
• Fortean Times

News

October Horror Movie Challenge

Scott and Paul have been taking part in the October Horror Movie Challenge this year, watching a horror film every day throughout the month. We share a few of our favourites in the episode. You can also find Scott’s reviews on this very website.

The Blasphemous Tome 6

Issue 6 of The Blasphemous Tome is almost ready for layout. This is the print-only fanzine we put out every year for our Patreon backers. It is licensed by Chaosium and contains material for the Call of Cthulhu RPG. In particular, this issue features a new scenario by our own Paul Fricker, called “Operation Varsity, or How to Get Ahead in World War 2”.

Secret Societies Specials

As another follow-on from our cults episodes, Scott has interviewed author and researcher Robert Howells about secret societies and how they differ from cults. You can find part 1 as a special episode in your feed, with the conclusion coming out on the 3rd of November.