"The Quest of Iranon" / Lovecraft's Dream Cycle

[@jamiecameron7615]

The dreamland stories are underrated treasures. Thank you very much!!

[@shakti666]

I understand designating these stories dream cycles, as modern man is apt to cling to classifications. I understand also the designation of cosmic horror. But, really, to me Lovecraft is belittled by such narrow nomenclature. We should understand the foundations of his work, rooted in Dunsanny and Poe, to be clear. There is an overlap implied an all Lovecraft, just as he never intended concrete distinctions. Usually the overlap is Azathoth, or Nyarlathotep. There is a clear period where it all seemlessly overlaps. Im not really sure where the line is between Dream cycles and cosmic horror stories, perhaps Im a fool to suggest even that there is one.

[@noehirschi1367]

I don't think that the story takes place in the dreamlands, more likely that it is earth in an ancient time.

[@jamiecameron7615]

@@noehirschi1367That's cool. I might re listen to this with that in mind.

[@memelordmarcus]

This story was chilling. I've found that a whole lot of these dream cycle stories seem to embody Lovecraft's disappointment with the monotony of his life, and this one is among the most tragic, almost heartbreaking, but seems to represent a fact of life that is true over 100 years later.

[@jarodpace7246]

"Wherefore do ye toil; is it not that ye may live and be happy? And if ye toil only that ye may toil more, when shall happiness find you? Ye toil to live, but is not life made of beauty and song? And if ye suffer no singers among you, where shall be the fruits of your toil? Toil without song is like a weary journey without an end. Were not death more pleasing?"

[@acedianihil8208]

I always really liked this one, it was divergent from what most people think of when they think lovecraft, but its still an enthralling story of purpose gained through dreams and purpose crushed by reality imo.

[@bittybitty8233]

Acedia Nihil i agree !!!!

[@shakti666]

I dont want to say theres fundamentally deeper meaning than that, atleast in the sense of mundane ordinariness, but beyond that, into the mad thicket of the worlds own primal archetypes, where great old things still reign higher than mans loftiest cathedrals.

[@arturprejna5143]

So beautiful and sad. An allegory for modern mundane tedious struggles.

[@docbrown7916]

Read this one a few yrs ago, kinda reminded me of how some ppl age only in body but not in mind till their dreams get messed with, then they age fast physically and mentally and die soon after. Here in central Fl where there's a lot of retirees I see a lotta ppl who are already dead and just waiting for the grim reaper to finish the task. Some are creaky like me and still look to learn more, pursue dreams, little slower, more realistic but pushing on. You and Jen are still young, one day you'll be creaky and hopefully still narrating 'spooky' stuff. May dark spooky entities of the moors keep you well.

[@HorrorBabble]

Thanks again Wayne!

[@graelent9]

This is gorgeous....it carried me away. I had never read this Lovecraft story.

[@Eris123451]

Superb, most people always thinks of Lovecraft as a purely horror writer, but there's so much more, this and The Cat's of Ulther are perfect examples of what I mean. Nice one.

[@shakti666]

Why? People think that after reading Statement of Randolph Carter and shit and dont realize that Randolph Carter is like some psychonaut dream wizard

[@jjvladimir6070]

A beautiful reading. Am I the only one who wishes Lovecraft's Dunsanian phase lasted a bit longer?

[@riphopfer5816]

JJ Vladimir Not at all! While parts of his ‘Dream Cycle’ tales can be somewhat corny, it seems that as he matured in this style his work grew much more epic, beautiful, and profound-this story is a magnificent example of the pinnacle of Lovecraft’s achievements in this style.

[@jjvladimir6070]

And even the corny stuff grows on you after a while!

[@shakti666]

It evolved. Thats like wishing the dinosaurs lasted longer. Good thing for us they didnt

[@johnoliva5153]

I'd never seen this story before.Thank you for reading it.I'm sure hearing it this way is the best way to be introduced to it.Lovely.

[@MrsCaranAmy]

This story was so full of beautiful description and was enchanting but so sad. Thank you for your lovely narration. Merry Christmas to all at HB.

[@HorrorBabble]

The Quest of Iranon" is a fantasy short story by American writer H. P. Lovecraft. The story is about a golden-haired youth who wanders into the city of Teloth, telling tales of the great city of Aira, where he was prince. Narrated by Ian Gordon for HorrorBabble 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

[@richardw.b.feigen8700]

Yet another beautiful reading! You are making a most precious contribution to recorded literature. Thank You for your superlative work!

[@HorrorBabble]

Thank you for listening Richard!

[@robertc134]

My favorite story of all time. I listen to this rendition a few times a year.

[@litaholic4572]

I have binged on Lovecraft's stories since the first of the month and am totally taken by his absorbing and vivid imagery and entrancing prose. His fantastical tales are as equally engrossing and stunning as his more horror-themed ones, this tale being one of them. It has earned a spot on my favorite list of his stories.

[@martinmucha4858]

Thank you so much. One of the best stories of HPL, maybe his most personal work.

[@riphopfer5816]

martin mucha One can certainly feel the passion in this work, but I am convinced that Lovecraft’s R. Carter tales are his most personal of the ‘Dream Cycle ‘. It’s particularly evident in the way that the nostalgic Carter waxes rhapsodic about the beauty of old Providence, a city we know Lovecraft adored to such a degree that living elsewhere caused bouts of illness, depression, and manifestations of an unusual surliness in Lovecraft’s typically retiring temperament. However, there is CERTAINLY the sense that ALL of Lovecraft’s dreamlands were directly personal to an extent that some of his stories with (shall we say) more concrete settings were not.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story and narration! It is such a beautiful and sad story about the imagination and dreams of children. The last sentence is monumental and parts of it are often used elsewhere. I cannot tell you how often I saw parts of it in a movie or in writing before discovering Lovecraft. Thanks for this wonderful gem!

[@sleepytime999998]

One of my favorites. Love you guys!

[@hanchiman]

One of my favorite None Horror story from Lovecraft, it has a sense of solemn mood to it

[@Saheeb138]

Great Dream. 5 🌟. Will dream again.

[@helivarpalac2956]

Thank you for yet another wonderful read :)

[@carljosephfriedrich8919]

This is a very nice reading. Good nuances in the different voices. The story has always been bittersweet for me. On the one hand, I really enjoy this as a good attempt from Lovecraft at a sort of Dunsany-fantasy, but on the other hand I wish he had made them in larger amounts and with more content. Often it seems Lovecraft didn't have enough confidence in his own works to commit to them properly, instead leaving them behind without properly utilizing the potential they had.

[@HorrorBabble]

I wonder if ultimately he found greater satisfaction in penning/developing his own brand of cosmic horror. I imagine other folks here have their opinions on this subject. Ian

[@carljosephfriedrich8919]

That can quite possibly be true. I hope he found some joy, or at least relaxation in it. If you have read any of his letters, he just seems so pathologically self-doubting. He didn't even want to publish "The shadow over Innsmouth" because of self-criticism, which is funny, because it's one of the most famous works of his. PS: I listened to your version of "The human chair" on youtube before it was taken down. I really liked the combination of strange and creepy elements it had, and made me interested to read more from the author(Which I had never heard of before). That's why I hope you will continue to showcase stories which might not be as well known as Lovecraft's. It's fun to be surprised;)

[@HorrorBabble]

I need to pay more attention to his letters - and potentially make a video on the subject. Thanks again Ralith - you can still listen to The Human Chair on Bandcamp. But yeah, we'll always dig a little deeper if it results in the occasional surprise here and there. Ian

[@MANJYOMETHUNDER111]

Many authors would kill to hear someone say 'I wish there was more of this.'

[@mr.v8631]

Thanks guys

[@LTPottenger]

One of my favorites.

[@Clay-tality]

One of my all time favorite stories.

[@kronoscamron7412]

I want to make a musical arrangement using your amazing narration.

[@walrusaurelius4801]

The story of a man who dreamed, and relied too much on those who would dream with him.

[@svenlauke1190]

personal theory: Iranon is the child of one of earths gods. In the dream quest for unknown Kadath, Carter muses about finding the children of the gods to find karate, and assumes that some of those children might have inherited memories that might help him. Iranon "dreaming" of Aira and the hyaline mythra sounds awfully like some inherited memory from a god.

[@bittybitty8233]

yes 11 thank you !!

[@2gameprinc]

My favorite story.

[@kronoscamron7412]

Most of those stories have the theme of finding a place that likely might not exist. Or no longer does.

[@gwendolyn2001]

Lovely--a side of Lovecraft with which I am not well acquainted.

[@papplaszlo5901]

The quest of iranon the protagonist's sudden death following the revelation that Irrannon does not exist underscores a profound theme about the role of belief and purpose in sustaining life. Despite his advanced age and the burdens of life that have worn him down, the protagonist did not appear to show signs of decrepitude or resignation until his purpose was shattered. His belief in Irrannon was not merely a quest but a vital force that gave his life meaning and direction. When he learns that Irrannon is an illusion, his life’s driving force evaporates, leading to his immediate decline and death. This dramatic turn illustrates how crucial it is to have a sense of purpose and a belief system. The protagonist's vitality and resilience were intricately linked to his quest and the belief that it represented something significant. Once that belief was lost, his existence became as ordinary and meaningless as that of those around him who lack such a driving force. This narrative element highlights a deeper philosophical reflection: having a purpose or a belief is essential for maintaining one's vitality and sense of self. Without such guiding principles, life can quickly become dull and devoid of meaning. The protagonist’s transformation from a vibrant seeker to a lifeless, mundane figure serves as a powerful commentary on the necessity of having something to strive towards in order to sustain one’s will to live.

[@dantegoat8568]

is this story about for iran? mithra (iranian sun god) aira (where the name iran came from), the events, even the name iranon - it is odd

[@potation8913]

The style of storytelling in this one reminds me of Tolkien's Simarillion.

[@seanemery1917]

Tolkien and Lovecraft were both inspired by Lord Dunsany

[@andy-the-gardener]

clark ashton smith seems to be his greatest influence here. if it had cas on the title i wouldn't have doubted

[@cheritripp9470]

I don't think this would be considered a horror story. A sad one perhaps.

[@ObjectiveZoomer]

Shiiit. This story messed me up.

[@timmy18135]

12:35

[@realism51]

Eer ah non

[@sleepytime999998]

realism51 Eye ran on