"Letters from the Village" / The Story of a Weird Pilgrimage by Ian Gordon

[@MrBemaster]

Your work has been helping me get to sleep (take that in the kindest way you can lol) and stave off stress for the past three years of my life. It is very important to me and there have been times that I would have been at a loss without it, seems like a weird thing to say about a channel that makes audio books but its how I feel. I support you on Patreon and want very much for your work to continue; best of luck in all your future endeavors and thank you, honestly.

[@mabinogix]

This is so nice. Especially with the colder weather. A warm blanket, a candle and some spooky stories.

[@bodegabreath4258]

Kaito you forgot your fav beverage. Cup of cocoa will do me.

[@HorrorBabble]

"Letters from the Village" tells the story of Martin Menkin, a man who receives a series of timeworn letters detailing the preparations being made for his arrival at a mysterious village. Chapters: 00:15 - Introduction 01:07 - Letters from the Village 43:28 - Further Listening Originals Playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLeNNKRLWxwoM5ln91QajdA--HZgo4Z1IZ Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble Music and production by Ian Gordon 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

[@hillaryclinton1232]

Sir Ian Gordon your self published Works are Tremendous and Notably enjoyable . I only wish that you should not ask at end every time to Smash That BELL button I get excited be the Nectar of Terror and SMASH Down on the Bell Button broke my ROKU 35" Monitor in a Fit of Mindless Obedience the Hypnotic Ability of Your Voice- you are reincarnate voice of the great Houdini's Hypnotic Power to Control the Minds of silly female spinster's sphincters .

[@teresahillin783]

Thank You

[@williamfawkes8379]

I commend you sir, a very powerful sense of longing to belong to something meaningful, and sprinkled with a few dashes of nostalgia and a bit of....dunwich? I enjoyed it much as the protagonist enjoyed driving along a winding road, gazing at the land as it rolls up into hills and down into valleys, each turn bringing the possibility of the unexpected. Thanks, Ian.

[@dirkbruere]

Dunwich is a village in England

[@TrinlayK]

yes!

[@johnbalfour8157]

I stumbled onto this channel today and your narrations are excellent, particularly for Lovecraft. This story is worthy of the man himself in my opinion. Well done.

[@HorrorBabble]

Great to meet you John! Ian

[@nicoleewing5976]

Thank you for putting this up when you did in very sick and your story helped me so much

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you Nicole - I hope you're feeling better! Ian

[@jacksonmyers3187]

I enjoyed it very much. It feels of Algernon Blackwood. I would very much like to hear the novella. Well done, and thank you.

[@rayswoop4947]

Jackson Myers as I so wait longingly for him to narrate "The Man Whom The Trees Loved" right Ian?☺ one day.

[@michaellobianco987]

"Dunwich?" ,"No, I was not speaking of Dunwich." This was my favorite part! I laughed

[@alexcaldrone3668]

Good on you Ian.

[@miriam-aurora]

I only recently realised that several of my favourite HorrorBabble stories are actually Ian's work. Thank you, Ian! I really loved this one. Your writing resonates with my instincts, so to speak.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, Miriam! I really appreciate that. :) Ian

[@beverlyamarantes9775]

I could listen to Ian all day long.

[@michaelkottler]

Pleased that this was started with the Lovecraft passage as well it should have been. Quite apropos, and much respect for acknowledging a master whose epoch-making work has inspired and thrilled so many.

[@bittybitty8233]

Brilliant ❗❗ Can't wait for the novella...😳

[@libertycowboy2495]

Love the eternal cycle idea and the concept of time here. Well written, this one spoke to me on a deep level.

[@jamiecameron7615]

This is awesome, thank you very much!!!

[@stevenmcconnell470]

Absolutely gordon.. ian u are a genius. Thank you for your devotion. To your listeners.. so long as you keep narrating.i will be listening. And I would especially enjoy if you could do more Poe..

[@lynnbell6353]

What a beautiful story! Meaningful and timely indeed. Please give us more; I will certainly be in the audience!⭐️

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, Lynn! :) Ian

[@jacquelyncuddeback]

Superbly written Mr. Gordon. Appeals to my sentiments of being born-out of time and longing for a way to step into another time or world and, as you put it, “worship the idea of the weird and wonderful entering my life”. You’re word-craft is beautiful and eloquent - and so refreshing to hear the English language used to its fullest descriptive potential yet still set in contemporary society. That eloquence is sorely lacking in modern day vernacular. I would certainly read/listen to a novella.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks for the kind words, Jacquelyn. :)

[@mizscoleman]

The 1980s was a magical, wonderful time. Always will be.

[@1630revelloak]

An interesting story, I didn't quite *get it* but as an aspiring author myself: you have my respect. I appreciate what you do, and I look forward to your future stories.

[@EvilMastermindPeter]

I really like your original stories. Good work!

[@johnnikyecole9114]

Beautiful story and you have such a way with reading yours and other people's words. Thank for what you do Ian. I think I'm going to right you into my Dungeons & Dragons TTRPG game as a deity of story telling...lol

[@Studogg98]

Ian I can not wait to add your novella to my library.

[@hamer1218]

Just wonderful!❤

[@michax109]

In the style of the classic stories from the past. Well written with some excellent descriptive prose. Cheers 🍻.

[@arturprejna5143]

Having listened to several dozen of your wonderful representations of the science fiction and horror contributions from authors across the years, I can honestly say oh, that this is my absolute favorite. Blessings upon you for this work and this reading. Thank you and keep babbling through the horror that is this world.

[@BeastlyEwok]

I would love to hear the full story, Ian. Always excited to see new uploads.

[@paulcateiii]

nicely done Ian - look forward to hearing the novella

[@Duchess_Van_Hoof]

It definitely holds a strong emotion throughout it and a sense of belonging and hope. Which is a curious, yet appreciated, thing within cosmic horror. Lovecraft always wrote from an outsiders viewpoint, never the actual cults or sorcerers of his tales. Randolph Carter being the notable exception. Keep writing, I want to hear more stories like these and can I get them in a printed form somewhere?

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you! There's an eBook, but that's all for now: www.amazon.co.uk/Tell-What-You-Know-Fear-ebook/dp/B07L6M48NL

[@stelleverde4589]

To hear younarrate your work, thank you for everything ♥

[@kooky45]

I've been to Cove harbour twice. Brilliant to hear it in a story. Many thanks.

[@HorrorBabble]

Quite a place, isn't it? Thanks Kenneth!

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Wonderful tale! A few times, brought to mind "In the Mouth of Madness," but fortunately your story ended on a much more positive note. Thanks!

[@GDMosey]

Thank you Sir.

[@romb4649]

I REALLY enjoyed that. Thank you! 😊✌🐨

[@Safeguard1]

I heard a voice whispering that to this day I remember with perfect clarity. "You left the stove on!" :P

[@mzeewatk846]

I like it. you do a beautiful job of picking up 19th c. speech patterns, and throwing in modern anachronisms. quite surreal, and lovely to listen to.

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

Ohhhh, just brillant! I loved it! Keep up the great work! Cheers mate!

[@HorrorBabble]

Awesome - I'm glad you enjoyed this one! :) Ian

[@ClassicMagicMan]

You have real talent! We love your work 👌🏼

[@janetcw9808]

Oh My Word. Just found this but will listen again and definitely promote. You are so talented! Blessed Be Xxx 🙏🏼 ❤️ 🍀 🗺️ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks again for the kind words, Janet!

[@laurahenriksen19]

Fabulous. Lovely tale x

[@spacecase13]

Superbly done, an entrancing adventure. Well done both in the writing and the telling, as always Ian.

[@cobrachicken07]

I loved this! Revisiting your earlier stuff is so cool. I'm grateful for what you out it into the world. It's delightful, or horrible, which is fine with me 🧟🧛🦑🍄👻😈

[@elizabethlyons1066]

Excellent! Please don't stop sharing your talents!!!!!!!!

[@mortuarycookiezshane4192]

started listening when first posted and finally had time to finish. I love it! sometimes I think short weird fiction is dying but then you revive my hopes!

[@CJ-uf6xl]

Just in time. 😊

[@seanmeehan5955]

Outstanding!

[@zachattic9844]

Very entertaining story, great work! As an aspiring author I hope for you the best and ask you to continue full speed ahead. I for one would be quite interested in listening to "The Box". And please keep us updated on your release date. As always, thanks for you and everyone at Horrorbabbles wonderful work.

[@prabhdeepsingh5642]

This story has strong SILENT HILL vibe to it.

[@hereticsaint100]

You narrate AND write?! Excellent!

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

This is really great! It's something you would want to happen...at least the beginning... perhaps I am odd but I really love intrigues

[@TheNapoleon86]

Bless this channel! Keep it up!

[@FIONA21ful]

Wonderful stuff Ian! I am eager to hear the Novella now. Thank you

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Fiona!

[@lparsons6977]

This is very impressive! I love the time travel aspect. The briefcase, the pictures, letters and remarks from the locals indicate a highly entertaining, yet unique mystery! Wouldn’t it be lovely to be able to communicate from our future selves to our present selves? I loved it, and while this may sound farfetched, imo it sounds like it would make a great BBC mini series!😍

[@brentlichtenberg]

"Simon Drinkwater" is my favorite character name ever.

[@rachweatherilll69]

It kept me listening and I enjoyed it, keep them coming :)

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Rach!

[@AndromedaKirin]

I hadn’t had a chance to check this video out until today and I just have to say- you are so talented. Your writing is exceedingly wonderful, just like your voice. Keep up the great work 🖤

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, Lady Morticia. :)

[@ianadlyiskandardzakurnain3910]

Pretty intriguing read or rather listen :)

[@feralbluee]

i never know whether to say i read that or listened to it. :} reading it seems better to me, cause feels the same - it's the same imagination. i'm tired and can't think of the words i want, but i hope this makes sense. Keep safe ~~

[@philippel.9086]

Very good story Ian!! Can't wait to hear more of your work!

[@winstonware3270]

This was excellent. Please do read us the novella!

[@Marybestia]

Loved it, need more!!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Mary - I'm going to be posting the complete collection this is taken from on Monday (17th).

[@andreac5724]

Great story

[@wolfieworby5653]

Call me immature if you will, but "The Elusive Dick" caught me off guard. 😂 😅

[@0therun1t21]

Even better the 2nd time around Reminds me of dreams I've had walking around on the ocean floor with delicate golden buildings that look like the weird jewelry the Deep Ones wear. I've had a lot of dreams of f"ar flung destinations and friendly faces" lately, secret societies included. Oh, dreams, do they mean anything?

[@bidoofmania]

That Dunwich cameo

[@leecarver4610]

So beautiful...

[@mahoganyeclipse3909]

Wow, excellent story :)

[@billsummy2412]

AWESOME ! :-)

[@leebrockbank9627]

Brilliant story Ian. Very talented. Can’t wait for the novella

[@sissyblackwidowspider7529]

Excellent story 👍🖤🕷🕸🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@kalihensley-garrison6282]

Exquisite! 👌

[@docbrown7916]

Very cool Ian !! Nice metaphysical one !! Def do the whole novella !!

[@Esotericgemini]

Wholeness and balance vibrations thanks for the upload

[@teddydog6229]

Yes ! The novella please ! Though like some of the other listeners I found the story a bit enigmatic and would struggle to summarize it for another I can't praise the prose enough. Dreamy and if I had to pick one word to describe it - melancholy. And the black church cut through the haze with sharp ugly clarity. The whole experience reminded me of one of those ambiguous dreams that instantly becomes a nightmare and makes my sleeping mind scurry back up to the surface. While i wouldn't think of it as Lovecraftian the scale of the spire and the size of the deity it must have been raised in worship of did lightly brush up against the misanthropic Providence loner. Please do read the novella and if I somehow missed it please provide a link. The style of the writing pleased me the most. The M.R James and Algernon Blackwood and the classic authors you're so well read in have left their influence on your style. No bad thing that. A man out of time indeed. I see you've read some Robert Bloch. Would you consider anything by Richard Matheson or is he chained down in copyright ?

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks Teddy Dog. If you ever fancy reading the text, you can grab this eBook collection which includes it: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L6M48NL I have a fondness for ambiguity, and absolutely, elements of this were inspired by a series of dreams I once had. Matheson I believe is completely under copyright.

[@shogunbearz5454]

What would really take these readings to the next level would be subtle sound affects like old time radio!

[@HorrorBabble]

Hi Gabriel! Many of our recordings do include sound FX. You'll find some in the following playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLeNNKRLWxwoM0B7B38p8SY10eZJcaeROp

[@earthcat]

More please

[@johnbryant8603]

Brilliant sir. Thank you againnnnn ❤️🙏🏽🎩🇲🇽. Youth going to Hollywood !

[@SVCleary1980]

I really, really enjoyed this!! Well written, sir!!

[@feralbluee]

wish we had someone to do this now. it’s a nice fantasy to ‘read’ and the end is surprising. thanks much. . .

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks again, Alexa.

[@BlueJudah]

I really enjoyed this, chilling and thrilling. Thank you. XX

[@TheFaulkned]

Great story Ian. I love the nods to lovecraft.

[@tooladdict85]

This was good

[@12201185234]

This is vaguely reminiscent of Lovecraft's Dream Cycle. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm catching up on some readings I've missed in my sub box over the past couple of months.

[@lesterlemenwater666]

Cool story

[@1701EarlGrey]

Well, protagonist of this story was born in this same year as me 1983 and he received letter on October 1st, my birthday -.interesting coincidence...

[@gerry5134]

Interesting story 😳

[@Akiroslice]

That was fantastic Ian. Please do the whole novella. Cheers.

[@briankolstee7814]

Well written and much appreciated. I very much would like to hear the novella. As previous comments have mentioned it hearkens to Blackwood and I myself get feelings of Jack London. However it ultimately feels like Ian Gordon ...and that sir is a good thing. Well done.

[@TulsaKanette]

I love this it reminds me of stephen king's dark tower

[@robinglen2777]

A great story 👍🏻 can’t believe I’ve not listened to it before. Particularly I’m feeling the echoes of Lovecraft, and admire the way you have employed them in your own original work in your own unique style. I really hope he would have also given you a thumbs up. I’m I being dumb, or is there a separate channel that features only Ian Gordon original stories?

[@HorrorBabble]

Hi Robin! Thanks for listening to this one. All the originals are here on the channel, here's a link to the Originals playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLeNNKRLWxwoM5ln91QajdA--HZgo4Z1IZ

[@MyH3ntaiGirl]

I just stumble upon your channel Fucking wonderful mate Sub :D

[@janetcw9808]

Got it!! The Red God Laughed. Xxx

[@HorrorBabble]

You beat me to it! :) Ian

[@applewagon253]

Thanks for the reading! This one kind of petered out for me 😕 but the beginning/middle was enthralling!

[@MrsCaranAmy]

This was such a powerful and awesome story. Since you wrote this in 2018, did you ever write the novel or novella? Thank you so much.♡

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you, Amy. I did indeed, though I haven't managed to work the recording of it into my schedule yet. :) Ian

[@MrsCaranAmy]

@@HorrorBabble I will look forward to it when you complete your masterpiece. Take care of yourself. ♡

[@rhondadills8275]

Novella

[@torilong5230]

I love you

[@heatherwhite8691]

craik village in craik forest would make a great backdrop for a real story of high strangeness

[@HorrorBabble]

Scottish Borders?

[@larsgadell5016]

The wall of vines it was also in the dream cycle by HP? Intended to be the same or just inspiration?

[@thefisherking78]

Whoaaaaa