"The Door to Saturn" by Clark Ashton Smith / Hyperborean Cycle

"The Door to Saturn" is a short story by Clark Ashton Smith that takes place in the fictional prehistoric setting of Hyperborea. First published in the January 1932 edition of Strange Tales of Mystery and Terror, the story was described as follows: "Beyond sea and sky the wizard Eibon pursues his outlandish wanderings."
00:00 - Introduction
00:54 - One
31:02 - Two
50:57 - Further Listening
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Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble
Music and production by Ian & Jennifer Gordon
Imagery produced in MS Designer/Photoshop
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[@TheDarkHarper]

HP Lovecraft, Robert E.Howard and Clark Ashton Smith drawing inspirations from each other's works gave birth to the greatest era in fiction ever

[@leebennett1821]

Robert E Howard shot himself after he found out his mother would never recover from a coma he was only 30

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Well-said and true! I could not have said it better. I am going to use this and credit you for saying it!!

[@franktheexpertstrenchclub9025]

Robert Bloch too, and so many others.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

@@franktheexpertstrenchclub9025 true. Good point.

[@FardtilUshid]

My 3 fav historians

[@AkosKovacs.Author.Musician]

Smith's ironic humor is sorely underrated.

[@winstonwins1096]

Smith is underrated in general. I think he's a better visionary, overall, than Lovecraft.

[@DickGallo-dk7wi]

THAT was a lot of fun. Ancient wizards, alien gods, weird rituals, ahhh... Thank you Horror Babble! 🦑

[@EndOfSmallSanctuary97]

The imagery, worldbuilding and bizzare dark humour of this story is absolutely wild and like nothing else.

[@Oraphel]

What is beautiful is how CAS alchemically bonds the extraterrestrial-beyond-comprehension theology with humorous intent… that is, how Eibon perceives the Gods word, as reverent and purposeful, is really, well…trivial. Arguably trivial…🤔 I appreciate you doing CAS stories Ian, because you bring a clarifying interpretation to the pronunciations of this great dreamer’s nearly impossible names. I think back to ‘The Seven Geases’. And everyone, think of the National Mother.

[@AAron-gr3jk]

I listened to this several days ago... and it's still marinating in my brain. This is really an astounding tale. Clark Ashton Smith is now on my "must binge everything he ever wrote" list, as R.E. Howard was.

[@AngemonOfLight]

Real Life Saturn: Gas giant with crushing atmosphere. Mythos Saturn: Can walk and talk fine. Love this. Thank you for the narration :)

[@thrillingsuspensefantasy]

Appreciated your commitment to pronouncing the more outré syllabic innovations in this tale.

[@jamescappio7434]

Smith's Hyperbaroque style obscures the fact that of all the members of the inner Lovecraft circle (so not counting Frederic Brown or Henry Kuttner) who tries to be funny-and succeeds. He may not be Jonathan Swift, but he's doing Gulliver's Travels here-something Lovecraft, despite all his 18th-century affectations, never did (AFAIK). Another example is "The Seven Geases." Spoiler: the demonic entities are just yanking the hero's chain. Laughing at him behind his back.

[@Omrikai6594]

Heartily agreed. It's an almost Lewis Caroll-type of absurd humor that keeps me loving CAS.

[@miarencrowsdaughter6434]

The 'oops' moment in The Seven Geases is one of my favorite moments in weird fiction.

[@ianauck8764]

As they say... "If it's not Hyperbaroque, don't fix it!" 😃

[@jamescappio7434]

@@ianauck8764 🤣

[@czcrossman]

Seven Geases is one of my favorite CAS stories for that exact reason, and obviously Ian reads it so perfectly lol I’ve listened to that story probably a dozen times. TEAM RAPHTONTIS 🙌🏼😂

[@phillip5505]

This is definitely his funniest work

[@cody1570]

Jesus I love this channel! Atmosphere, cthulhu and horror of wonder. Nothing more coupd be asked for

[@ConfusedNorthernLights-zi4id]

Well put...

[@shaddonon]

“Think of the national mother” got an honest-to-Toad lol outta me. I bet Lovecraft and crew enjoyed this one.

[@0therun1t21]

It got me too, fun story!

[@CS-hu5be]

I would climb asmatically up a cliff face too 😂

[@rhoddryice5412]

Excellent timing tonight. Love Clark Ashton Smith.

[@nancynickerson4341]

An avalanche of puffballs and toadstools! Music to this retired mycologist's ears. :-)

[@HorrorBabble]

Always a pleasure to hear from a mycologist! My dad has a particular interest in mushrooms.

[@tishie42]

Spores are the original life, and it's everywhere, on everything, in everything, and destroys everything eventually. All the while helping life happen with nutrients in the soil, water, everywhere, and it gets eaten by many things. Truly the most fascinating lifeforms on the whole planet. IMHO🍄🍄

[@RexytheRexy]

CAS is one of two writers - the other being Blackwood - who can genuinely frighten me, but I find this type of narrative fiction just as enjoyable. Thank you for introducing me to his work.

[@jordanjoestar5938]

I’ve said this before but I have to say again your narration is absolutely incredible

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks, Jordan!

[@nyarparablepsis872]

There can never be enough of Klarkash-Ton! ...but would even *he* have managed to save poor Warren?

[@ianauck8764]

I don't know who or what this Klarkash-Ton is... but I bet this Smith guy knows more than he's letting on! 🕵️

[@randallbesch2424]

You may call his shade to speak. Unless you can find his remains and through magick and electricity bring him back in a more solid fashion...

[@louithrottler]

Nice one Ian. If I may be so bold, could you add 'The Kingdom of the Worm' and 'The Last Hieroglyph' to your next C.A.S 'to-do' list ? Great stories, I'm sure you remember. Cheers mate.

[@HorrorBabble]

I've made a note of Kingdom. TLH will be recorded eventually as part of a planned Zothique series.

[@georgemarquardt4435]

My debt to you increases sir. I now know how to pronounce desuetude! Fantastic story. Thank you!

[@HorrorBabble]

The pronunciation guide is never far away when it comes to recording Smith!

[@awarningtothecuriouswerewolves]

I guess this explains why the door to my Saturn Ion is frozen shut. Warren!

[@davidhodges2583]

The descriptions of litigious, petty wizards and descriptions of exotic and wholly alien cultures brought Jack Vance to mind. What a fabulous tale and beautifully narrated as always.

[@Normaschthewanderer]

Thank you Ian. Clark Ashton Smith like blackwood is my weakness.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story and narration! I got a kick out of this one. A tale of a good ole' quest filled with adventures. I laughed when the meaning of the message was conveyed to them. CAS never ceases to amaze. Thanks!

[@AcornElectron]

“The picture seared into my soul is of one scene only, and the hour must have been long after midnight; for a waning crescent moon was high in the vaporous heavens….” Keep up the good work and, as always, stay safe!

[@joz6683]

More Clark Aston Smith. I'm having an early night just to listen to this.

[@shannonandsheila1403]

He is the best

[@XadrumLtd]

What a fantastic imagination Ashton Smith had. This has got to be they first story of his i have heard and only then out of curiosity as i mentioned him in my recent review of Hodgson's 'The Night Land'. Great story, thanks Ian for the education.

[@Enshadowed]

This was a wonderfully imaginative and unexpectedly humorous story which brought me many laughs.

[@RuseSmiles]

An outstanding production! Thank you as always for your dedication to the craft and in finding these tales to share. This was a comedy and that was a lovely surprise! XD

[@0therun1t21]

This sounds really good, settling in with my cat and some hot chocolate for this, thanks! I'm so glad science hadn't ruined stories like this yet. Blimfroim? It's fun to say. Yop, Yeep, Yoop and flibbertygibbet pygmies, so many fun words in a row, I love it! Galump

[@andreasfilis9001]

Thank you Ian. This was amazing!

[@sorde21]

No reason not to mention that I look forward to your narrations more than any other channel on YT. Started with an interest in Lovecraft + noticing that your tone can sometimes be conducive to falling asleep. Just FYI as I am in no position atm to be a patron

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you for listening!

[@jdsteppenzyde]

Excellent! I absolutely loved it. My favorite genre is horror humor, or humorous humor, or serious horror with a bit of humor mixed in at some point. This was perfect.

[@andersschmich8600]

Great timing! I have just gotten in to reading more CAS stories.

[@TheYpurias]

"Eibon's a sorcerer devoted to an outlawed underground god. Morghi is an inquisitor sent to arrest him. But now, they're stuck together on a zany roadtrip across Cykranosh. Coming this summer, writer Clark Ashton Smith brings you love, laughter, drama, and excitement. All of that and more through... The Door to Saturn."

[@whatnobodyknew4786]

Brilliant work, as always

[@mikestanmore2614]

Had to miss the release, but I'm here for the replay! Excellent, Mr Gordon, as usual.

[@mariamcgee4462]

Think of the national mother! 😂😂 This is a really fun tale.

[@accelerationquanta5816]

One of my favorite.

[@Disciple_of_Cthulhu]

Happy New Year!

[@HorrorBabble]

Same to you!

[@robbabcock_]

What a terrific story, and one I'd not heard before.👏

[@madderhat5852]

Nice one. Great story perfomance as well , thank you.

[@jach99]

Loved this one! Hoping for more Hyperborean cycle stories!

[@droptableaccount1820]

This was one of my favorite ones ever. Almost a Rick and Morty episode. The ones in non-earth settings like this and Dream Quest are so interesting.

[@koala8313]

rick and morty is written by pedophiles

[@BlueWikken]

Thank you so much for introducing me to so many amazing authors! I've been loving everything I've watched/heard so far 😊

[@frankfrimperton8266]

Totally love the beginning where the fugitive wizard is just making shit up as he goes to preserve his reputation

[@jonathanwpressman]

This should be made into a movie starring Denzel as Morgi and Jack Black as Ibon

[@schizoidboy]

No wonder H.P. Lovecraft wrote so glowingly of his work.

[@charlesReed239]

Great reading. You do C.A. Smith like no other. Keep it up.

[@slikeiscecks]

Thank you guys!! This is one of my absolute favorites of all time! ❤

[@jill3343]

Thanks, HB❤🙂🖖🏼

[@WordSmithForge1]

"Thinking of the mountainous female they had seen, Morgi was prone to remember his sacerdotal vows of celibacy. And Ibon was eager to take similar vows upon himself without delay." ~ Bwahahahaaa!

[@soulreaver1983]

Excellent as always many thanks Ian

[@ryanhkimmel]

Really cool story and the art you have for the vid is exquisite! I felt myself transported to this strange world by the quality of your locution

[@user-rd3rf3ft8e]

Very good! Hope to see more writings of the dread high-priest of Atlantis Klarkash-Ton in the future

[@WhiteLongSword7]

I like that they became buddies in the end, lol! Be cool if there was more to their story!

[@justinakers3196]

Man. Wanted it to continue!

[@colemarie9262]

Love it, thank you!!

[@LordJordanXVII]

This is some good ****. Excellent!

[@dazzlepecs]

"and igon was eager to take similar vows upon himself, without delay" lewl

[@Driven2Beers]

Eibon?? They shoulda thrown the Book at him! (Sorry, I just couldn't resist.)

[@HorrorBabble]

Wonderfully terrible.

[@Driven2Beers]

​​@@HorrorBabbleExactly how I would give a Yelp review of the Gilman House in Innsmouth. 🐟🐸

[@lazyrmc]

Funny, I just read this one last week. Clark Ashton Smith's entire works were on sale on Kindle. I enjoyed it so much, I ended up picking up Conan the barbarian for the first time and am really getting into those

[@HorrorBabble]

The Conan stories are just brilliant.

[@blurryface9597]

Great tale! Thank you for your excellent narration!

[@pickpocketpressrpgvideos6655]

An interesting tale indeed :)

[@niarlatotepbasset]

This channel needs some good background ancient horror ambient music and it will be perfect.

[@kgreen242424]

Ohh thank you so much Ian. I simply love this story. Eibon seems like a slightly funny character after all. Or at least he has more of a sense of humor than one would think the author of the dreaded "Book of Eibon" would. I always thought of him as an evilish character but as it sounds, he was doing what other magicians were. Maybe just a little bit better than they liked!

[@winstonsmith8597]

DnD for back in the day. 👏🏻👏🏻👍🏻

[@zaijal1572]

Ooooooh i've been waiting for this one, awesome stuff

[@Boogie_the_cat]

Ah, the Atlantean high priest Klarkash-Ton

[@Corvinus_]

Thanks a lot!

[@peculiar]

After years of reading Lovecraft's, and some of the Lovecraft Circle's, work it would never have occurred to me to pronounce Tsathoggua's name that way but I quite like this pronunciation!

[@RolandWieffering1]

Such a versatile writer, most of his stories are really captivating. But I like his Weird and Mythos horror the best. A really great writer of the Lovecraft Circle. I wish someone would publish "The Complete CAS stories".

[@DreadArkive]

Who knew Smith was writing a Futurama story so far in advance? Even included potential death by snu snu.

[@OskinsBob]

AHHH THE HINGED PANEL...

[@aaronweaver9751]

This reminds me to listen to "Saturn Doll" Kudos to the narrator and author 🎉🎉

[@historicradiotelevision-bi2861]

When I saw the title, I knew this was going to be about either Tsathoggua or Sun Ra……

[@your.appointed.priestess]

Ian, your superb narration is doubtlessly superb, but also your choice of art! These thumbnails are GORGEOUS! Would love to know the artists. Cheers ❤

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you! We produced the art for this one in MS Designer and Photoshop.

[@dirkbruere]

A wizard so astounding the description was beyond all overblown flowery prose. Of doom. Feel free to us it in your own works if you come up short.

[@bfm1q2w]

Always cas.

[@tooladdict85]

Super excited to start this

[@dla1509]

Checking on Warren.

[@7F0X7]

The old man said "Jed move away from there..."

[@bigsarge2085]

❤

[@amaniandrus260]

Anyone know the name of the painting in the back round

[@HorrorBabble]

It’s just The Door to Saturn. Produced in MS Designer and Photoshop.

[@ELDENRANGOON]

Holy sh*t !

[@lordzaboem]

Tsathoggua! He's the elder god from my favorite Lovecraft story, "The Horror at the Museum."

[@randallbesch2424]

Who is still worshipped in the stygian blackness of N'kai by the black jelly formless beings under the red litten Yoth below blue litten K'n-yan below us.

[@anthonybarnwell767]

Sweeet😊😊

[@franktheexpertstrenchclub9025]

Lol Eibon… you’re always getting into some kind of shenanigans

[@tamlandipper29]

Obviously Lovecraft name checked Clark Ashton Smith and Arthur Machen, but I just wondered if he ever dissed anyone?

[@randallbesch2424]

In the Walls of Erex the Arkermonster himself gets to be a lowly disgusting alien plant. Forest J. Arkerman.

[@pbrown7501]

The meaning of the message was exactly as expected, but the ending is still pretty funny. More fairytale than Lovecraftian. "There was mushroom stew and weird alien pussy, and the wizards lived happily ever after."

[@andrewrobertson3894]

Does anyone know the title of a similar tale, involving two rival lodges of sorcerers waging war on each other with spells and summoning? I think I read it year's ago but can't remember who wrote it or what it was called. Hoping this might ring a bell for someone out there.

[@JasonJason210]

I can't help but view Smith as a 20th century version of Edgar Allen Poe.

[@randallbesch2424]

But with a more fantastic imagination. He was an artist as well. Drawing, sculpting and painting.

[@Troll-ro9xw]

Timeless

[@ianauck8764]

If the gods sent me with a message, I'm pretty sure it would be... "OWA TAH GEEH KAI AM!!!"

[@USAngel4u2]

Hi! I hate to ask but I’m new here. 😊 But who is Warren /Warrenth - this voice and that name sound so familiar. Just can’t place it…

[@OskinsBob]

FETCH THE HINGE OIL 😊

[@Auswurkung]

Honestly, this was just an antiquated episode of Rick and Morty... Ib and Morghi?

[@gabrielsalesmartins]

Does anyone know who did the thumbnail?

[@HorrorBabble]

It’s in the video description.

[@davidaldridge9341]

All Hail ZHOTHAQQUAH!

[@scottbubb2946]

And that's how Eibon saved Christmas. Okay, kids, good night... Sleep tight... Don't let the djhibbis bite.

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

If this is as good as the Mars Cycle lm in