Hydra written by Henry Kuttner, narrated by Edward E. French

edwardfrenchma...
/ frenchedward06
A unique tale of the fourth dimension, a dangerous experiment in occultism and the ghastly horror that reached back from the other plane of space!

[@Laffy-ix5xy]

A fantastic story read by an amazing narrator. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for the upload.

[@williamconnors1510]

Very well done, as always. I have to say (getting ready to duck) that Lovecraftian stories all seem to run together for me. Kind of like Harlequin Romances of Horror. So many of them are "ancient/extradimensional evil is trying to find a way into our realm". This one is better than most and, of course, you could read the instructions to my lawn mower and make it sound thrilling.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thank you, William. Kuttner was obviously influenced by H.P., but I prefer Kuttner's writing style. He builds the tension. E.E.F.

[@lynnhathaway3755]

William Connors I absolutely agree with you. Lovecraft is good, but rather formulaic. I'm glad I'm not the only that has noticed.

[@grahamturner1290]

Marvellous!

[@askwhy2030]

This is a great site just subbed. Great Readings and great stories by the best writers of all time.

[@thisisdavid2]

Prof. French what a superb reading, as all you readings are! I am officially voting that your disembodied head accompany all further output however ;) 10,000 thanks for your most excellent output Sir :)

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks for listening and commenting, David. Ed's head intends to return weekly. Cheers. E.E.F.

[@thisisdavid2]

@@FrenchEdward06 Oh I AM glad to hear this lol :)

[@chrishalliday8371]

A nice addition to the Cthulhu Mythos there! Another masterful retelling, Mr F.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks, Chris. A fun one to read. E.E.F.

[@johnga911]

Amazing story, amazing reading, amazing production as always. Thanks for introducing me to so many authors/stories I wouldn't have known otherwise.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks John. That's kind of the idea of this little audio book laboratory. Different authors (known and obscure) have their own way of expressing the nature of human good and evil, not to mention their view of reality. It's an education for me too.....E.E.F.

[@3452te]

Love it. Awesome narration Mr. French. :)

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks David. E.E.F.

[@tomleaf5790]

Wonderfully narrated, as always. Thank you for the time you take - the results are consistently and reliably entertaining.

[@rachweatherilll69]

Loved the drama towards the end

[@Eric-ot7en]

Your voice as well as your interpretations of these stories are always spot on. Well done sir,well done

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks, Eric. Always glad to hear I'm doing something right. Hydra gets a lot of positive reactions. I had no idea how appealing the story would be for listeners. Cheers. E.E.F.

[@Mi-yc3oy]

very nice scream towards the end there 😁

[@chrishalliday8371]

I keep coming back to this tale as it’s become a favourite. The concepts are chilling. That final scream gets me every time! More Kuttner please, Mr F. I’d love to hear you do “Bells of Horror” or “Eater of Souls”.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks, Chris. I will look into those titles. Cheers. E.E.F.

[@JohnSmith-ek8rj]

Very good. Some times these Lovecraft inspired stories turn out even better than some of Lovecraft's originals. Coincidentally, I've been reading some early sword and sorcery stories by Kuttner lately. ""Dragon Moon"" was quite good if you like that sort of thing. p.s. I've seen several people compare your voice to that of Vincent Price, and while I can certainly hear that in some of your narrations, your voice more often reminds me of the great Paul Freeze.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks, John. I grew up in awe of all the voices you mention. I like "Hydra" better than anything I've read by H.P. - For me, Kuttner's characters are more dimensional and interesting for my taste. E.E.F.

[@cloudtx]

This one was pretty good. I love this type of story where all that remains of the main character are his/her writings. It's also interesting to see the use of drugs mixed in with the supernatural. I bet Reefer Madness would've been more successful as a deterrent to canabis if they made it an adaptation of this story! Haha. Superb work as always Mr. French!

[@RolandWieffering1]

Indeed very well done, one of those stories where it all comes together, Ancient books, incunabula, occultism, drugs, experimenting with drugs and ritual magic, and so on... Ever came across a story called "The Survivor"? By H.P. Lovecraft & August Derleth? I thought I had read everything written by HPL but this one was a very nice surprise. A Cthulhu Myth story and a good one at that. Just as "The Black Kiss" by H. Kuttner and R. Bloch. (Didn't even know they ever collaborated) A Cthulhu Myth story as well and very good too. If you haven't read them these are something to watch out for. All the best, Roland

[@cloudtx]

I listened to this one a second time and it's still just as good. It cleared some doubts too, for some reason on my first time I seemed to believe that Scott's guidance was all a trap by the Hydra but listening to it again it seems clearer that Scott killed Edmund because Edmund refused to keep doing the ritual to help him reach that place called "The Center". Though perhaps with good reason since I doubt Edmund would've survived going into that place. The moment when Scott calls out to Edmund in the climax of the story is so creepy! The voice alteration and Edmund's final words are just bone chilling!

[@johnnya867]

I was a little slow on the uptake, but eventually I realized that this is in the Cthulhu Mythos. Lovecraft lives on! Great reading as always. I'm sure you must have been told at some point that you sound somewhat like Vincent Price. And you know that's a compliment! Thank you

[@FrenchEdward06]

Hi Johnny- Kuttner was a devotee of H.P.L. Check out THE SALEM HORROR here on the channel. In my opinion Kuttner improved on the Mythos. Kutter's characters seem a bit more realistic. I number have listeners have mentioned the vocal similarity to Price. Some find it annoying. I've only recorded one story (THE FLY) where I tried to imitate him. I've worked in radio and in theatre which might account for the way I speak. Thanks for listening! E.E.F.

[@RolandWieffering1]

Great, I enjoyed this story very much.Could be part of the Cthulhu Mythology, with the mentioning of Azathoth. yes, well done...!

[@Hawbitten]

I wasn't that taken with most of this story. Even if I do think Kuttner is a much better writer than Lovecraft is. But that ending punchline, It's perfect~

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks, Hawbitten. Yes. Kuttner improves on ol' H.P. in many ways. And it was the climax of the story that hooked me into recording it. Cheers. E.E.F.

[@tuskinradar8688]

I'm not sure if the "Sacrements of Evil" Machen quote is placed by yourself Mr French, or by Kuttner, but it instantly reminded me of HP Lovecrafts the Horror at Red Hook, which opens with the very same quote. Either way, already excited for the story. Thanks as always for the high quality readings!

[@FrenchEdward06]

Tusk- Kuttner prefaced his story with the Machen quote when it appeared in Weird Tales Magazine. He was definitely an H.P.L. acolyte or shall we say devotee. Thanks for listening. E.E.F.

[@tuskinradar8688]

@@FrenchEdward06 thanks for the info!

[@feralbluee]

Azathoth -ok, repeat this fast LOL the photos of the techies seem to be the real guys as i do not recognize them. too bad they got caught up in that hydral vortex. at least, they're back ~ shudder. . . you seem fine, however - mmmm?

[@RolandWieffering1]

A pity they talk about Hasj and Opium dreams without knowing what the drugs actually do. One gets stoned from Hasj, but you don't get dreams as mentioned above.

[@frankmcgovern5445]

Hahaha It's was Cannabis Indica in Machen's Great God Pan that was used to contact drive the protagonist MAD.

[@guilledcf1547]

they obviously should have rather used sativa ;)

[@Eric-ot7en]

That was one great story! Hats off to both you guys.

[@FrenchEdward06]

I don't know about Kuttner, but I still have a head on my shoulders to give a tip of the ol' French Chapeu to. Thanks. E.E.F.

[@Arwcwb]

37:23 That's what you get

[@tanithday7301]

Sent u a message. I don't think u got it. Love the Vincent Price, u sound so like him.

[@markrpatterson9717]

Gesundheit! 25:51