Embrace the darkness

Read by Ian Holm, David Shaw-Parker, Richard Mitchley(Unabridged: 04hrs 03mins)

Featuring stories by Barry Pain, Nikolai Gogol, Guy de Maupassant & many more

An author’s talents may seem obvious and indisputable as they move words and ideas into gathered phrases and stories.

But where do these ideas and stories come from? A lonely thought that suddenly gathers form? An inspiration from a Muse? A suggestion from an everyday event?

Perhaps in the case of their darker, more malevolent stories, other forces are at work. They help to nourish single words into sentences and paragraphs that ease themselves from the shadows and are suddenly upon us in twisted revelation that may thrill, may disturb, but will always engage and help us explore the edge of darkness where some of the very best literature patiently lurks …. waiting …. for the likes of me and you.

01 - Stories From the Shadows - Driven to Madness - An Introduction

02 - The Diary of a God by Barry Pain

03 - Amour Dure - Part 1 by Violet Paget writing as Vernon Lee

04 - Amour Dure - Part 2 by Violet Paget writing as Vernon Lee

05 - Diary of a Madman by Nikolai Gogol

06 - The Horla by Guy de Maupassant

07 - The Mass of Shadows by Anatole France