Silent Snow Secret Snow by Conrad Aiken Narrated by Edward E. French

[@williamc.hensel130]

Aiken's story gripped me as a first-year student in Joe Meeker's class, at a tiny college I attended in place of my senior high school year. And the story has remained with me over nearly six decades, beautifully narrated here by Edward E. French. This tale emerged from a numinous dream that gripped Aiken as his story seized me at seventeen. One shard of the mosaic this story embodies is the reversal, the undoing of psychosocial emergence, the dissolution of personality and relationship. What remained for me was slightly different than Aiken's words, made more personal: 'He was a flower becoming a seed: a little, hard, cold seed.' Both his story and my retained artifact epitomize an astonishing reversal of creation.... Profound thanks to Aiken and Edward French.

[@alisonduffy6206]

What a genius story and superb narration. Thank you EEF. Have subscribed instantly.

[@beckymartin1810]

Very interesting and well narrated. Thank you for the additional information on the author and your thoughts - fantasy is very powerful. Found a gem today!

[@trishbirchard1270]

Just extraordinary! What genius-

[@baruchben-david4196]

I read this story a long, long time ago... Thank you for your narration.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thank YOU for listening, Baruch. I think it's the must unusual story on the channel. E.E.F.

[@dwightfitch3120]

@@FrenchEdward06The language is incredibly beautiful and powerful

[@neilairwin4342]

Wonderful narration. I am addicted to your readings, Mr French, can't get enough! I remember reading this story for first time way back in 1990 when I first got into reading horror/weird tales. It made a huge impression on me. It was in a collection of weird/horror tales but this one made the deepest impression. Never forgot it, good to hear again. It is full of mystery and suspense, disturbing, something you can't quite grasp - madness? refusal to face reality? a sensitive person trapped in an unpoetic humdrum world that he wishes to withdraw from?

[@FrenchEdward06]

Admittedly, it's a difficult story to relate to unless you re receptive to its view of life. E.E.F.

[@trysometenderness7466]

Mr. French, you alone have rekindled my interest in short stories. I dare say you are better at readings than even the late great Vincent Price. Keep up the excellent work!

[@FrenchEdward06]

You've made my day. Thank you. E.E.F.

[@feralbluee]

beautifully created. . . 🌨

[@mbodi2034]

An icy revery that evokes the work of Ray Bradbury, Stephen King, Joe Hill, John Ajvide Lindqvist, and Rod Serling, (with "A Stop at Willoughby", in particular). Thank you for another wonderful reading, and for using the music of my favorite composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, as the tale's end titles as well!

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks for listening M Bodi...Yes, it's similar to the works of the authors you name-and Poe as well. But it's quite original . There's a lot of personal poignancy. Cheers in the New Year. E.E.F.

[@baruchben-david4196]

Ah, Willoughby... One of my favorite stories. Really got under my skin...

[@Ladymar]

What a marvelous story teller you are, Mr. French. Beautiful speaking voice that calls to mind the dulcet tones of Orson Wells.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks, Janet. Funny thing is that Orson supplied the Silent Snow, Secret Snow narration for an old "Night Gallery" episode back in the early 70's. Cheers. E.E.F.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

@@FrenchEdward06 Ah, yes, Night Gallery. I remember the pilot episode with Joan Crawford and Roddy McDowall.

[@snippycutwell9878]

really really enjoyed this one thanks

[@MarkJones-bo9jg]

How have I never heard this story? Incredible. It's similar to "The Yellow Wallpaper" in it's incredible climb into madness. Wow. Wonderous narration as always, Mr. French.

[@dartharaneus67]

The beauty of both stories is that they do not truly allow the audience to determine if it is a descent into madness or if there is some supernatural agent at work.

[@rameyzamora1018]

What demons was Aiken exorcising with this tragic piece? It's such a cry for help. Beautifully told, EEF.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Yes, Ramey. More plaintive than Poe. I elaborate on the tragedy of Aiken's life in the post-narration written credits. Thanks for listening to a very challenging bit of self-analysis by its author. Cheers in the New Year...E.E.F.

[@rameyzamora1018]

@@FrenchEdward06 Thanks for the clue. Listened first on the cell & couldn't see your notes! Off to the laptop for extras.

[@flamebroiledsquirrel]

Thanks for putting this up. Hitherto, I'd loved the B/W film adaptation, but to hear the full narration as written was so much richer.

[@vito7838]

Mr French unbelievable narration! A total captivation of the imagination and intrigue of descending into madness.

[@itgetter9]

This is one freaky tale! I LOVE it! Just discovered it last night, even though it was posted more than a year ago. Thank you, Mr. French!

[@gwendolyn2001]

Bravo, Mr. French.

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks, gwendolyn2001....It's a unique story. Unclassifiable really. E.E.F.

[@wonderrob3225]

Why is so difficult to find the night gallery episode with this story narrated by Orson wells ?

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

This has to be the strangest - I was going to say, 'weirdest' - of all your narrations. I imagine it must have been a challenge to maintain interest in such a long, meandering, thread, but, as ever, you have risen to the challenge with this impressive reading. As to the story itself ... what can one say? I have no idea what it was all about! Thanks for the upload.

[@FrenchEdward06]

I'm glad you addressed the fact that this is a "difficult' piece of Fiction Fantastique. Aiken was a talented but unhappy human being-in the psychology department- of his wheelhouse. The kindest thing I can say is that this is the cry of a wounded poet. I mention in the credits that Aiken's father shot his mother and then committed suicide. Young Aiken came home after school to discover the gruesome tableau of murdered mom & dad. I suppose I relate to the story and was attracted to the idea of narrating this because I can recall "daydreaming" during grade school and living in a bit of a dream world. Thanks again for being a listener here. Best wishes for you in 2020! E.E.F.

[@bodegabreath4258]

Great story. Insipid narration.

[@FrenchEdward06]

That's a legitimate criticism, @bodegabreath4258. I'm not music to everyone's ears, but I'm glad i got the story across to you. E.E.F.

[@jonathanwpressman]

I interpreted it as schizophrenia induced catatonia.

[@gardenvarietypenis]

Jonathan Pressman well...that’s original, doctor.

[@baruchben-david4196]

I figured something similar... the onset of some major illness.

[@lenoralee9553]

I interpreted this as autism. The descriptions are amazingly familiar.

[@williamconnors1510]

So, Mr. French (or should we call you Ed...or Eddie...or Eddie Baby*) - when are you going to set up a ko-fi.com account so people like me can buy you a cup of coffee or a frothy Guinness as a thank you for the delight you bring us each week. I have my credit card in hand...just tell me where to aim it! The value of your work is beyond measure, but I'd love to show my appreciation. I'm hopeful others would as well. *Monty Python joke, sorry...I'm just that old

[@FrenchEdward06]

Thanks, William. I didn't know what a ko-fi account was until you brought it up. I don't know. For now the "drinks are on me." It's enough for me that people come to this audio book "well" for entertainment each week at no charge... By the way, "Ed" is the usual way to address me. "Mr. French" works too. Cheers. E.E.F.

[@earndoggy]

I was expecting doc to say he had a brain tumor and was halllucinating.

[@JohnSmith-ek8rj]

Great story. Great reading. Quick question: is there any reason why closed captions aren't available? They are an option on most of your uploads but aren't on a few of them. I've been listening to some episodes with my dad and his hearing isn't so good.

[@FrenchEdward06]

John , there's no reason why closed captions aren't available. I'll make a note to see that the settings for this are on for this and all future uploads. Thanks for mentioning this. E.E.F.

[@feralbluee]

read so well - you could feel the child falling into the warmth and safety of the snow. . . calmness and quiet. . . there's the hint of the angry father and the caring mother, who doesn't protect. btw - i never compare you to V.Price because you are so much more talented and nuanced. Price was always Price and, as fun as he was for scary movies and such, his reach was not far.

[@rachweatherilll69]

Hmmmm not sure what to think of this one

[@FrenchEdward06]

I wasn't sure what to think of it the first time I read it, either. But it haunted me enough to want to want to explore it again. It's not an easy one. Not something for every taste. Cheers. E.E.F.

[@rachweatherilll69]

I like the very beautiful observations of everything around him and I understood that he loved to escape into his imagination as his parents didn't understand him and they were dull/ unimaginative people. I think it was because I was expecting a horror twist due to your usual genre. Lol

[@FrenchEdward06]

@@rachweatherilll69 Yes. It's quite off the beaten track of traditional horror. This one may be particularly poignant for the genuinely mentally ill. And perhaps a way for "normal' people to understand those with psychological problems. E.E.F.

[@brucezar9517]

Crazy nutty boring