Strange Shadows
Hosted by Tim Mendees and Rob Poyton of the Innsmouth Book Club, Strange Shadows is a fortnightly podcast devoted to the weird fiction of Clark Ashton Smith. One of the Trinity of Weird Tales authors, Smith, alongside Lovecraft and Howard, redefined cosmic horror and fantasy fiction.
With his distinct baroque style, Smith's work remains rich, powerful and evocative. Using the five volume Night Shade Press collection of Smith's work as our guide, we will be covering each of his stories in chronological order, as well as screen adaptations and aspects of the author's life.
Occasional guests will be joining us to share their knowledge and opinions about this most poetic of the Weird Tales writers. Episodes are free, with bonus content and other rewards available for patrons - click Subscribe or visit our Patreon page for details. See you in Zothique!
Episodes
108 episodes
SS4 16 The Voyage of King Euvoran
It's as distinctly avian theme this episode as we take flight on The Voyage of King Euvoran. We talk Boris Dulgoth, Carry On/carrion, a surfeit of lampreys, beef wood and, inevitably, tits...Reader: Simon Frazier NashFavourite ...
SS4 15 The Dark Eidolon
Join us for what is widely regarded as Smith's finest tale, The Dark Eidolon. We talk infernal spectacles, noisy neighbours, spectral equines, revenge, film adaptations and SFX.Reader: Simon Frazier NashFavourite words: Simoom,...
SS4 14 The Charnel God
Join us for a dark trip into Zothique with Smith's classic The Charnel God. We talk cover art, the parade of nudes, dromedaries, Xuthal and Charlton Heston.Reader: Heather Miller
SS Bonus 14 Odes and Sonnets
Our latest Patron special continues our delve into Smith's poetry with a look at some odes and sonnets. We talk harpies, dreams, Falernian wine, Congo eels, Albert M Bender, Memnon and social media. Poems read and discussed are Sonnet for t...
SS4 13 The Secret of the Cairn
Join us for a journey to the light beyond in CAS' unearthly The Secret of the Cairn. We talk the High Sierras, the Law of Fives, Algol and Alderbaran, angels and mounds. Plus a delve into the mailbag.Reader: Simon Frazier Nas...
SS4 12 Genius Loci
Join us in the isolated desolation of Genius Loci. We talk Bowman, The Willows, creepy locations, pareidolia, Swamp Thing and more.Reader: Clay Story Sculptor
SS4 11 The Third Episode of Vathek
Join us for a look at Smith's posthumous collaboration, an unfinished sequel to the classic Gothic novel, Vathek. We talk William Beckford, Shakespeare, the fall of Rome, Disney villains and haunted beds. Plus a delve into the ma...
SS4 10 The Maze of the Enchanter
Join us in the lush undergrowth of Xiccarph as we discuss The Maze of the Enchanter! We talk Argosy magazine, Greek mythology, sorcery and science, Dr Who, Jack Vance and Dungeons & Dragons.Reader:
SS4 09 The Dweller In The Gulf
It's subterranean Martian horror this episode, with The Dweller in the Gulf. We talk editors, alpha chaps, hope, interesting villains, plus a delve into the mailbag. Oh, and Tim sings...Reader:
SS Bonus 13 Love, Marriage and REH
Tim begins this bonus episode with a look at Smith's views on love and marriage. Rob continues with a delve into the correspondence between Smith and Robert E. Howard. We talk Samuel Loveman, Auburn, artistic fuel , religion, serpent men, illus...
SS4 08 The Dimension of Chance
We are back in scientifiction territory with Smith's tale of future war, The Dimension of Chance. We talk planes and parachutes, sang froid, Tomfoolery, chaps, space rock, D&D alignment and story lengths.Favourite word...
SS4 07 The Isle of the Torturers
It's a grim tale this episode with The Isle of the Torturers. We talk Achenar, WH Hodgson, safe words, Melnibone, unseen horrors and goth skin care. Reader: Simon Frazier Nash.Favourite words: pythonomoprh, lapidaries, halcyon,...
SS4 06 The Ice Demon
Frozen Hyperborea beckons for the creeping doom that is The Ice Demon. We talk D&D, the Pleistocene era, Ithaqua, £50 notes, nematodes, potholes and inclement weather.Reader: Scott Dorwar...
SS4 05 The White Sybil
It's a return to Hyperborea with Smith's classic tale of allure and creeping doom. We chat Sybil, the Frost Giant's Daughter, tropigoths, the children of Woolpit, elevated horror and technicolour prose. Oh, and Rob tells the moth joke....
SS Bonus 12 The Three Phases of Smith
We discuss two CAS poems - For An Antique Lyre and The Muse of Hyperborea - and take a look at the three phases of his creative career. Plus we get to peek inside the libraries of both Smith and Lovecraft!
SS4 04 The Disinterment of Venus
Averoigne draws us into its arms once more as we visit the naughty monks of Périgon for The Disinterment of Venus. We talk Venus, moving statues, Carry On, posterns, Mary Whitehouse, playing the incubus and rumpy monks.Reader: ...
SS4 03 The Star-Change
Tim and Rob slip dimensions with Smith's tale of altered perception, The Star-Change. We talk Donner, moonfish, cubism, goblins, Mi-go and creative restrictions. Plus news and the mailbag.Reader: Simon Frazier NashFavourite wor...
SS4 02 The Beast of Averoigne
Join us in the summer of 69 as we plunge back into the haunted forest with The Beast of Averoigne. We talk comets, antique demons, Terileptils, goth hair product and The Averoigne Legacy. Plus Tim sings, we check the mailbag a...
SS4 01 The Mandrakes
Episode One of Season Four returns us to Averoigne for Smith's tale of revenge from beyond the grave, The Mandrakes. We talk Gahan Wilson, Mandragora, Carry on Abroad, the ghost of Cromwell and the quite remarkable GP Olsen.Reader:...
SS Reading 3 The City in the Sea
Just prior to Season Four starting, here's a reading of Poe's classic tale of underwater doom and decay, The City in the Sea.
SS3 027 CAS Reviews
Tim runs through some reviews of Smith's work from the likes of HPL, August Derleth, Lillith Loraine, & Benjamin De Casseres.Download M...
SS3 026 Mailbag
Season Three concludes with a deep delve into the mailbag. We talk scientifiction, genres, editorial mishaps, Benjamin De Casseres, our favourite Old One, and how to spell Chthuhlhuh.A Cyclopean thanks to all our readers, patrons, and liste...
SS3 025 Season Three Wrap Up
Our Auburn correspondent Nils Hedglin joins us for a look back at Season Three. We talk favourite words and stories, least favourite story, Strange Shadows Bingo, Auburn, CAS going to church, and Goat Rock. Plus an exclusive end of season...
