The Nameless Offspring by Clark Ashton Smith

[@SusieQuhNOT]

Great story. Reminded me of an old movie called The Shuttered Room that really scared me as a kid. Speaking of my childhood, my grandma lived in Auburn CA. As a kid, I spent my summers with her. It's SO beautiful there. I can smell the pine forest now just thinking about it.

[@annicoyne2983]

The more Audiobooks I listen to on youtube, the more grateful I am for your reading skills. Thank you ❤

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks for saying that

[@EnCryptedHorror]

Thank you again for the kind words about me and the other creators 😊

[@earthcat]

Jasper 🙋

[@yesterdayitrained]

Hi Jasper! Spooky!

[@SepsisWarrior]

I love hearing different narrations of the same stories. I can now check out your channel and the channels of the other shout outs, I love it when communities help each other out

[@pinstripesuitandheels]

How lovely! Thoroughly enjoyed both the story and the ramblings.😊

[@rodneyadderton1077]

You did a great job reading this.

[@cindychurch335]

Tony, I love your ramblings. Accents are interesting. I live in mid central south USA. I had a love affair with a man from Tynemouth UK about ten years ago. He was just as enthralled with my accent as I was with his. Maybe that was how we fell in love. He called his accent Geordie. But visiting the area I think more posh Geordie than others. He would just say, talk, read me your grocery list, anything just talk. But, enough of that. Tony, your stories and ramblings make the English language sound divine. Make me remember a time of pure joy and love. I hope you can make this your full time work and ditch that job honey. Tickety boo. 🥰

[@ClassicGhost]

Tynemouth is over the other side of the island from us, but only about 60 miles east. So there are sounds in common. Funnily enough people from there think we sound like we're from Liverpool, while people from Liverpool think that we sound like we're from Newcastle. Elements of both I guess.

[@DS-fk7ed]

That's a nice comment. I love accents too - fascinating, wherever they are from. My partner has family up Geordie land. We go up every year and love it there. In fact we are planning to move up there (from London) in a few years.

[@micheler4120]

One of my favorite horror authors. So many great short stories and so well read! Thank you.

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

This story always makes me think of The Dunwich Horror. You mentioned some of my favorite narrators, Edward French, Simon Stanhope (Bitesized), Jasper, Windy NIght, and there are others. Your "ramble" was hilarious. I just kept grinning...thank you!

[@jhb1493]

Great reading - and so glad to hear you mention Edward French. He really does sound a bit like Orson Welles, mixed with a very spooky Vincent Price. You are both excellent performers, bringing something different to each reading.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great reading. Sad story with plenty of mystery and scares. What does one do in such a situation? The quote from the Necronomicon at the beginning fits this story so well! As always, great job, Tony! Thanks for narrating this great story for us.

[@MrsWilberforce2]

This was BY FAR the absolute creepiest of the Classic Ghost Stories that I've listened to so far. Love these podcasts! Thanks, Tony Walker!

[@jayfox28]

Just found out I got Covid today. Your story narration, Tony, is helping me get through!

[@ClassicGhost]

+@jayfox28 Get well soon

[@edewitt5706]

This channel is perfect 🌟🌟🌟

[@DuckSith]

The Nameless Offspring, was Mums pet-name for me growing up :(

[@Bebecat477]

I love your readings Tony. I feel like I'm in the story. Thank you.

[@allysonlewis1576]

The nameless offspring was excellent. Clarke Ashton smith wove a gothic tale with great description without making it hard to follow. I love Lovecraft, his imagination and descriptions are awesome but I do find it hard to follow at times. This story was really brilliant. It had a beginning, a middle and an end. I’m an old fashioned girl and this story really spoke to me. Well I say girl - I’ve just turned 70 and love your work in every way. The jokes - loved them. Just keep entertaining us Tony your work is priceless.

[@scottmiller2591]

There are so many Japanese stories by Lefcadio Hern. My favorite is "The Boy who drew Cats."

[@jessisage4708]

I've listened to this story before, but i often get a new spin on an old story when I hear it from a different narrorator. This was just like a whole new story 😊

[@sugarfalls1]

Oooh a new ghost story! I can't wait to listen to it! Thank you SO MUCH! :) Be glad you're in England and not in the Mid-Atlantic states. It is so hot and humid here! It's been in the high 90s all week and will be this weekend. Supposed to get t-storms Sunday night taking it down to a mere 90! Thank goodness for central air conditioning! Idk how they survive in the deep south! I would die!

[@jenford7078]

Nothing more frightening to most than the idea of another human that has been locked away even in modern days. I recall as a child being at a birthday party and her non-verbal, very low IQ Auntie Margie escaped her restricted room and snatched me up for hugs... I haven't been right since!

[@creative2716]

Traumatizing.

[@brandyjean7015]

Jen, curious if the trauma was a result of the unwarranted hugging or the knowledge that the Aunt was kept in lockdown?

[@Story-Voracious66]

Thanks Tony. For the Story, the ramble, and especially the other channel recommendations. Great work as always. 👍🏼🙋🏻🇦🇺

[@rohanquinby3188]

A brilliant reading which makes this tale utterly new again. Thank you so much.

[@terryIKE69]

Agree quite heartily with your assessment on Clark Ashton Smith's writing talents, he rises above his contemporaries. Loved this one! With your past experiences,it sounds like you might have material for a ghostly spy story...?😃

[@ClassicGhost]

I did write a couple of spy novels you know. Faithless and False Flag. The second was more straightforward and sold better.

[@terryIKE69]

I did not know that... Obviously I'm guilty of not digging into your back catalog of published work deep enough. I've only bought your ghost/horror stories. I will be rectifying that mistake promptly! Thanks for the info

[@hathorearthfyre]

That was a good one, thanks!

[@4444marla]

Halloween! Great reading!

[@arlem525]

Marvelous tale! Thank you for reading it.

[@maryriley6163]

Love your personal stories, as well.

[@martiwilliams4592]

Don`t know how I missed this gripping tale wiith your elegant and as alway,s masterful narration. Thank you, Tony. Better late than never!!!!

[@ClassicGhost]

Better late than never.

[@martiwilliams4592]

@@ClassicGhost My motto.

[@jessicajackson8064]

Great personal stories! Thanks for sharing. I love your rambles after the stories. I have learned a lot from your commentaries on the stories.

[@kkuro7054]

This was great; thank you, and I hope to hear more CAS from you later (Averoigne, especially!) CAS is kind of interesting to me as a fantasy author, with a particular taste for otherworldly, exotic, and lush aesthetics, who's also one of the vanishingly few working-class fantasy authors (distinct from _poor_ authors) -- he supported himself most of his life as a field hand, fruit picker, fence builder, etc.

[@Cellottia]

I really like your rambles! This one was especially interesting, what with author info, the KGB and podcast recommendations. (You'll be giving us recipes next!) Forgive me, but I couldn't help laughing out loud at points in this story: Gothic laid on with a trowel! It sounded like something I would have written in my teens if I'd been given an assignment by my English teacher. So I derived plenty of enjoyment from this story: thank you! (Oh go on then, you've persuaded me: I'll share this one with my daughter, who loves stories of any shape or size as much as I do.) Actually, I put this one on to lull myself to sleep, as I do, not infrequently, but I listened all the way through to the end, plus your erudite and entertaining commentary, and I'm still not asleep! (Don't worry -- if I do fall asleep to your dulcet tones, I make a point of re-listening when I'm washing up or some such task: it keeps me on track so I finish the job. Another "Thank you" for that service, too!) Until next time, Cheers Tony! Katherine from Kent 💐

[@briarrose5208]

New subscriber here. So happy I found this channel. It seems there aren’t many good horror stories, being written anymore, and even if there were, there aren’t enough literate people to narrate them.. I’m enjoying these stories.

[@ClassicGhost]

Welcome aboard! Thank you for being here !

[@yesterdayitrained]

💯 This channel is special!

[@clarkdissneyer8225]

A friend of mine was travelling in Ireland in the 90s and found himself in the vicinity of Castle Dunsany, so he just walked up and knocked on the door, only to be told by a servant that "The master is very ill."

[@sleethmitchell]

another good one. as far as credulity goes, an honest appraisal of life will find 'coincidence' more the rule than the exception.

[@alfredthorne4315]

Bit too melodramatic for my tastes but still enjoyable. The monster reminded me of the one that is supposed to live in Glamis Castle the home of the late Queen Mother. So was this creature the son of the unfortunate owner of the house or dare we think that whatever removed the coffin lid did something unspeakable to Lady Agatha ?

[@deemac9263]

Just discovered your channel a couple of months ago. I love your reading and love your anecdotes too.

[@ClassicGhost]

Great to have you here.

[@susanotway7875]

Another good one Tony! Many thanks.

[@tomatoangel1]

I ALWAYS enjoy your rambles and your selections. May you reign on your channel forever!

[@ClassicGhost]

Unless I am dethroned.... eeek!

[@MSYNGWIE12]

I fell asleep...and yes, Edward French is terrific too. Enjoying American Air conditioning yet? Hope there isn't a brown or blackout. Looking forward to this tale...Namaste and enjoy your conference....( yea! Canada gets a plug!)

[@terryolsson4145]

Wow, wow, wow! Excellent story, excellent reading. Thank you Tony.

[@sybilmcpherson2240]

Great story - well told!

[@joniallen6880]

Love your stories just as much as the reading.

[@ruthwalton3457]

Thank you 🥰

[@jcristi321]

I love that joke! ‘Bout to fall asleep and I laughed myself awake! Jan

[@rebeccawoolfolk5377]

Why Buddhism is True was written by Robert Wright who happens to be one of the other people I'm a patron for on patreon. I actually own the book, although I haven't read it - yet.

[@marilynmills2273]

Thank you for another great story, I really enjoyed it. I also love all the information you give at the end of the story it’s really interesting. I’ve learnt so much from your rambles thank you again 🙏

[@ClassicGhost]

Thanks v. much. Marilyn.

[@keyofgames2301]

My favorite ramble yet. lol it’s crazy you don’t have the little lever on the gas handle while your filling up your car

[@ClassicGhost]

Yeah but i dont trust them

[@csj9619]

A few more recommendations for fiction audio: "The Landstander", "WeirdFictionFan" and "Grimscribe". If weird is your flavor, check 'em out. A real treasure trove for Thomas Ligotti fans. Much love to all eternal creator beings out there

[@toadyuk8391]

Quick and informative note. I was in California on holiday as you know and saw as you say the auto fill trigger on the fuel heads. Well, here’s a little tip for you, this works in the uk as well. If you look carefully you will see they have the clip, but have removed the bar for it to clip into. You will see three holes on the top of the fuel handle. I have on my keyring a small bar made from 3mm silver steel which I just pop through the holes and I can then use auto fill. If you are in any way handy with such things you could use 10mm nail or even thick wire will work, anything you can pop through the holes. I’ve been filling up for thirty years like this, saving myself hassle of gripping the handle. Don’t worry the overfill works in the same way as the US. They removed this feature in UK because the govt regulations felt it wasn’t good for people to have unattended pumps at fuel stations and too many people argued after over filling their cars. It’s well worth sorting yourself out with a little nail or pin to pop through the holes, then you push the clip forwards and it latches on the nail or pin. Let me know how you get on.

[@ClassicGhost]

Very interesting. I'd never noticed them. I am off to the petrol station this morning to fill up. I will take a peek. I bet I can get something at B&Q. You may have improved my life. I will watch it for the overfill. I suppose you could use a small nail

[@toadyuk8391]

@@ClassicGhost you absolutely can use a small nail, once you see how much this is a good thing you will like me get one attached to your keyring. Just for full transparency, I tend to hover around the pump and not walk completely away as I have had once where I went to cash machine and I was told off. So my top tip is just stand near the pump and the tellers don’t worry as they are not watching. The pumps are supplied with this little rod in place, there is actually three holes for slow, med, fast (I use fast). The overfill cuts off just like it does in the USA. The holes go from one side to the other and when the nozzles made the little bars are in place, but for the UK they are removed. It’s literally a second to pop a nail through from one side to the other, click the latch thing in and you are set. Remember to take the nail out at the end of course ! If you want to email me an address I will send you one ready made for key ring attachment as I have a bunch of them for my family. My mother particularly finds it hard to grip the pump on full for five mins to fill her tank. [e-mail]

[@eddiemunster2196]

I remember way over a year ago or maybe even two years. but there was a channel called HORRORBABBLE with this particular narrator operating it. With nothing but horror of course ? Everyone I hope you sleep well but you probably won't. ?

[@09purpledyer]

Thanks for the jokes, they were good. You do good work. Enjoy America and be safe .

[@jamesvaneaton206]

I ran a bookstore in Auburn, California for 10 years (the store is still there) and we'd occasionally get people coming around asking about Clark Ashton Smith. The funny thing is that he's far better known in the U.K. than America, where Lovecraft dominates. People were always disappointed that we didn't have a standing library of his work or personal items, but 99% of our customers had no clue who he was.

[@micheleoreilly]

Thanks

[@ClassicGhost]

Thank you very much Michele!

[@robertboyle2573]

Great stuff.

[@yesterdayitrained]

1st, I enjoyed reading the full Description- I agree, I prefer Ashton Smith as well. As to the story (incredibly and perfectly narrated as usual!), I think Sir John somehow forestalled his death until someone was there to help the faithful and long-suffering Harper. Never have I welcomed a fire (anywhere, ever!) in a bedroom as in this case.

[@ritamartin4782]

Ii love your story of espionage,

[@David-Gerard]

Thanks greatly for the biographical material on CAS. Some I already knew, but a lot I didn’t. Seems a good many of the Lovecraft Circle had psychological issues and died young. Have to say I prefer Lovecraft’s work although I read everything (or listen) to anything I can get a hold of by both. I’d love to see the correspondence between the two of them.

[@ClassicGhost]

I'm surprised that there hasn't been a volume or many volumes of HPL's letters published.

[@papanomidokoro]

Great reading. I'm having trouble finding Peter Seinder's work on Soundcloud. Anyone know the name of the channel there?

[@ClassicGhost]

Here you go soundcloud.com/weirdwards?

[@ClassicGhost]

Tell him I sent you please?

[@papanomidokoro]

@@ClassicGhost Thanks! That's one of the channels I thought it might be. Will let him know you sent me.

[@lisap.1826]

Fantastic narration as usual ❤. Commenting for the algorithm.

[@ClassicGhost]

There surely must be a horror story about the Algorithm:) thanks!

[@GeofAndrews]

Clark Ashton Smith's father, Timeus Smith, immigrated from Lancashire, England.

[@ClassicGhost]

I didn’t know that!

[@nomansgoddess]

Ian Gordon for Horrorbabble and Rue Morgue, (since you were doing a shout out)

[@earthcat]

I liked the joke about the hitchhiker.

[@nomansgoddess]

If HP Lovecraft decided to do a remake of the old late 70s 'The Beast Within ' it would be this story 😮

[@donnasticher711]

What is the name of your poetry channel?

[@ClassicGhost]

Classic poetry channel !

[@TGVScribe]

Reminded me of Poe, and the offspring reminded me of an M R James inhuman creature.

[@earndoggy]

"Cultural appropriation" is an absurd concept thought up by absurd people who need to learn a hobby to keep their minds busy. Read what you want, wear what you want, eat what you want, decorate your house how you want. Remember, you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time.

[@maryriley6163]

I like your voice just fine. Terrific narration. But I’;lol give the other guy taste-listen.

[@Bbergster]

Do you think that the creature is the same as the beasts of burden in “The Mound” and or the Hp story about the painter…. I’m drawing a blank! I want to say Arthur Pym. Ta Kelly Lee!

[@jacodevnik9883]

Its clear that the woman in the crypt was inpregnated by the ghoul with the monster

[@missdaisysunshine8633]

Too bad I can't buy the 2xlt sweatshirt. It is out of stock

[@thrillingsuspensefantasy]

Lots of CAS on my channel as well

[@ClassicGhost]

So there is! Subscribed.

[@thrillingsuspensefantasy]

@@ClassicGhost an honor! I have been gathering lots of material to read in the next wave. Admittedly, my channel is treated somewhat as a promotional vehicle for releasing Thrilling Suspense Fantasy books--but the CAS love is REAL!

[@ritamartin4782]

Do anything you want, we aren't so picky in America.

[@sandramclaughlin3943]

It might just be me but I've noticed a 'hissing' quality to your recent broadcasts. Sorry if it is just my deteriating hearing. 😊

[@ClassicGhost]

Yes I have picked this up. It was a problem with the Expander on the pre mic processing strip. I hope I have it sorted now

[@creative2716]

Ooh, so deliciously creepy.

[@kkuro7054]

BTW -- is there any more Christian-sounding title than "Why Buddhism Is True"??? :D

[@martas9283]

I can feel the lengthy sermon determined to disprove its title..

[@heathergerbyshak4078]

Dubiety? Dubiousness? I love you readings but I think the author erred in this case.

[@heathergerbyshak4078]

Whoops. I see dubiety is used. Sorry. It really threw me.

[@ClassicGhost]

Its not a word I often drop in casual conversation:)

[@thelastpilot4582]

Typical crude American brutal writing.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

You tell spooky stories because you were a spook!!!

[@ClassicGhost]

Do you know me from long ago?

[@ropeburnsrussell]

@@ClassicGhost I dont Tony, that tongue in cheek comment was in response to your travel/interrogation stories. We have never met under cloak of darkness on a mean and dirty street.

[@sonnetlikely]

What is the name of your poetry channel? Thanks! 🙏

[@ClassicGhost]

+Sonnet Likely the. Classic Poetry channel , reply if you can’t find it and I’ll post a link

[@sonnetlikely]

@@ClassicGhost A link would be marvellous, thank you. When I search the title a great deal of poetry comes up, but I can’t seem to find the actual channel. Much obliged!