The Maker of Gargoyles by Clark Ashton Smith
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ส.ค. 2021
- Clark Ashton Smith was born in 1893 in Long Valley, California and died in California in 1961. He began as a poet and wrote decadent, overblown Romantic poetry after the manner of Swinburne. He got early recognition for his work in California.
Lovecraft loved him and with Robert E Howard and Howard Philips Lovecraft he was one of the big three writers of Weird Tales. Ray Bradbury was also a fan. A few months ago, I re-read Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes , and I can see that Bradbury too was a lover of poetic, sometimes overblown language-like myself!
Smith was clear that his use of language and rhetorical stylings as deliberate. He talked of trying to create a "sort of verbal black magic."
He uses some obscure words, such as 'vans' for wings and 'ferine' which neither I, nor my spell-checker, had come across before. I must have heard the word before because I read all of these stories as a teenager. But I'd forgotten ferine. Turns out it's a version of feral: savage and untamed.
I did enjoy the word 'troublously' and also 'lubricous'.
Smith wrote poetry from the age of 11, and his first novel by the age of 14. He began to sell his stories aged 17. His influences were The Arabian Nights, and he was clearly entranced by fairy-tale realms. He is also influenced by Edgar Allen Poe and the Brothers Grimm as well as the classic Gothic novel Vathek. Interestingly, he loved the decadent poetry of Charles Baudelaire. He translated his poetry from French as Baudelaire in his turn had translated the works of Poe into French.
He had a period of ill health. He was a correspondent of Lovecraft and also knew Jack London and Ambrose Bierce.
Smith and Lovecraft used the strange names and ideas they conjured in mutually influenced stories. This 'open source' was Lovecraft's greatest gift to horror: he allowed other writers to build on his ideas and so the Cthulhu Mythos was created.
Smith was a massively prolific author, but more or less gave up writing in the second half of his life.
He then turned back to sculpting and painting. He nursed his mother and father during their final illnesses until finally is father died in 1937. Robert H Howard killed himself in 1935 and Lovecraft died of cancer in 1937. It's thought that these events may have knocked the love of writing out of him.
Smith himself had a heart attack in 1953, but he still married aged 61. He set up house with Carolyn Jones Dorman and took on her children, and they moved to Pacific Grove.
He had a series of strokes in 1961, and one finally killed him.
The Maker Of Gargoyles
This is a nice story. I love the setting in the made-up French medieval city of Vyones in the haunted region of Averoigne. Apparently Averoigne is based on the real Auvergne region. Lovecraft used Averoigne in one of his stories 'Out of the Aeons'.
I think Smith illustrates very well the paranoid fear of satanism and the acts of the evil one that must have taken over small towns like this every now and again for hundreds of years. It's a bit like New England and The Crucible in New England or Witchfinder General in old England.
The picture of a population becoming overpowered by paranoid fear about a plague moving in their midst, a fear fanned by authorities, such as the church in this case, is obviously beyond belief.
The central idea of the story that an evil man creates evil works of art; statues that capture his wickedness and lust. It is somewhat reminiscent of The Picture of Dorian Grey, except of course for Reynard in this story, the transference of his evil into the gargoyles appears to have been unconscious and once he recognises his fault in this, he tries to rectify it with a tragic end.
So, he has a bit of a character arc! Also, Nicolette doesn't die. These are both positive things.
It also reminds me of the lost Dr Who story, The Daemons, which I loved as a young boy. In that satanic statues come to life. Very folk horror.
I was also interested in Reynard's sorcerous reputation. He is not a sorcerer, but blacksmiths, another type of craftsman were in older times considered to have magic powers. Then we have the Masons, later the Freemasons who had their own secret and somewhat magical ceremonies. It's something about the craftsman, or woman in that they create things from raw materials and particularly a sculptor who makes things in the shapes of things that might, and in this case do, live.
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#Weird tales #Werewolf #audiobook #Short Stories - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
Smith is a master wordsmith. His vocabulary is phenomenal.
Dear Tony , thank you so much for your read ,not just enjoy all your stories but the extra knowledge that you share ,I respect and appreciate your input,love and admiration,🌳🌳🌳
Excellent!!!
I remember when I first noticed a gargoyle as a youngster. I couldn’t believe it.
I am going to check out the gargoyles on our local cathedral
Beautifully read as always, inviting us to get lost within the story and forget where we are! Thanks💕👍
Oh blessed voice….spinner and siren of sacred story…to thee I humbly bend mine ear…..and I want that shirt🧐better seek some pocket money anon❣️
Nice poetry!
I love the words used in this story. They are so luscious and mesmerising.
This is one of the best....You manifest your thoughts on one scale or another!!!!! Your reading, as always, the best!
Thank you! I haven't heard/read this one before. CAS is rapidly becoming a favourite of the genre. I adore his language.
So so scary....loved it
Thank you for the history.
I enjoy being educated by your commentary.
Nice job Tony Walker 👏
Finally! A superb narration of a CAS story!
You must have the loveliest reading voice I have encountered in video books. Thank you!
Wow, thank you! V. kind. Not sure it's true, but I'll take it.
I listened to this one on your podcast, but it's definitely worth a revisit! 🎉
The rich impression I get from your reading of this tale is of a luxurious tapestry, it has a sensual texture that is CAS's gilded age wording & your velvet & crystal narration in pleasing balance. Sensational story & an always welcome after word.
Are you a writer yourself?
CAS is one of my favorite writer's. Thank you sir
thank you
I absolutely love your channel, especially with Autumn round the corner. Great stuff! 👻
I've got some great stuff lined up
Dear Mr. Walker, I just love the way you tell a story! I truly believe you could make a Dr. Suess story sound baleful and malevolent! And like Dr. Suess! Thank you again for a marvelous tale!
It’s an idea you know . I may give it a shot
Somehow I have recently fallen into your channel and I'm putting my day on hold just for you- manic depressive and adult ADHD and when i get into a groove I just have to go till I drop or I'll go another week+ doing literally the absolute bare minimum to keep my home and myself from collapsing in on me. But you are the first person outside of my immediate family that's ever- EVER referenced my number one absolute favorite episode of all time of Dr Who . I'm now in love with you good sir
Great reading of this C.A.S. classic ! Thanks ! 💀🎱💀
Your pronunciation is so precise and correct -- thank you!!
Gripping, vivid, truly frightening images, enhanced by your expressive narrative., Wow! Thank you, Tony. You'r a master.
Wonderful, thank you 💀
Fantastic narration and an intriguing story, as usual! Your voice is both soothing and expressive.
Thanks Lisa
Your "Recording studio" is your home, very down to earth & well recorded :D
"Overblown decadent". Love the Clark Ashton Smith language! And your informative, entertaining commentary. Learning is quite fun. Thank you!
I really enjoyed this story :D Thanks
This made me think of the original Ghostbusters. "If there's something strange in the neighborhood, who you gonna call?" Gargoyles came to life in that.
They always do. Think of Dr Who
Enjoyed it very much. Listened twice in one week.
Thanks Mr. Walker.
Great:)
I love the language in these stories! So descriptive. Thank you for the excellent narration, Tony.
The opening voices always give me thrills....
Me too actually
The description of this video is very informative. I learned quite a bit about these early authors. Also about the art of story writing during the turn of the century. Oh, and the narration is great too... Lol.
Thank you !
A most humble THANK YOU. I am bad for not reading my mail...Namaste, Z
I like your style old bean.
+Craig Fulton thank you. I enjoy being called “old bean”. Not sure why but I do.
gargoyle at Denver Airport SENT ME HERE.
Ha ha. Tell it thanks
I collect house-broken gargoyles. They aren't evil as in this deliciously soul-sucking tale. As you know Tony they have a structural function on cathedrals, even their name comes from a word emulating the sound of water, trickling, for indeed they acted as water spouts. I was told that in a medieval history class and was rather disappointed! Of course they also serve to remind the humble person to keep his or her eyes and thoughts towards heaven not hell! I hope you can clarify the origin of the word with your linguistic knowledge. I don't regard them as kitsch either. Overblown decadent like Baudelaire, how delightful! One of my fav French poets. I enjoy those words- your accompanying notes are fascinating professor and your low tone with little inflection, no sharp ups and downs, nicely menacing, captured the dread perfectly. There's no sun in this sculptors ravenous soul. For my ear, blowsy words? VERY unusual like cthulu- sorry if I misspelled it, Mr. Lovecraft! For me a story like this is like an evening of Shakespeare- geek here adores iambic pentameter. Misspelled that one too I think, sorry, don't know how to "save" text and use my spell checker on here especially without you tube premium- if you leave off it goes deleting copy. Probably me, I discovered I do have a French keyboard by accident. Please excuse me as I shall plead a most strange delirium overtook me! Excited though my senses were alas! my brain staunchly refused to get on with the show. What a fine, fine, story, one to savor. I came up with another idea for a story, the French actress, Sarah Bernhardt has always fascinated me, those redheads! sleeping in a coffin and having her leg removed for interfering with her performances. Imagine a soiree with her, H.P Lovecraft and the Italian Symbolist painter, last name Fuseli? The Nightmare, must buy a poster of that one, to me it's kitsch but I love it. Appreciate your mind, creativity is a divine gift...Namaste. Z.
Your comments are a kind of poetry. I’ve recently been reading James Merrill and somehow your confiding tone reminds me of his tone
More, please
I think it's about time I did more Clark.
Thanks Tony!!!
Delightful, dark story. In my late 20s, I wrote a tale involving a sentient stone gargoyle, though it was more erotic than horror in nature. To this day, I can't hear or read a gargoyle tale without having to fan myself and think of baseball. : D
Gargoyle stories . I remember I enjoyed a novel called the The Gargoyle
I think I would like to peruse your story!
@@ClassicGhost If it's a good story, well-written and well-plotted, I may give it a go. Other than Pratchett and Steven King, I can hardly tolerate most popular fiction, so I'm hunting for more obscure things to read (or listen to) these days.
@@puca7908 : D I'm afraid it doesn't exist anymore, except in my head (I wrote it on an old word processor I bought while in college, and the discs are antique now).
loved it. thankyou...started listening to these stories on HorrorBabble but far prefer your voice
Thank you :)
Most definitely; HorrorBabble chooses great stories, but his delivery and voice....I don't know. It just makes me tense for some reason; it's probably just me, but it abrades my nerves like sandpaper. I just can't do it.
As a weird tales writer, friend of Lovecraft, and a sculptor, I wonder if CAS was ever in the same situation.
Ah, how I love Averoigne! Clark Ashton Smith is my favorite of the Big Three. He is both dreamlike and poetic. Wonderful reading, thank you so much! . I would suggest you might enjoy The Stones of Muncaster Cathedral by Robert Westall, if you have time for pleasure reading.
Tony, please consider reading the Beast of Averoigne!
I love the Averoigne stories. My grizedale forest wedding is definitely influenced by his tales
Thanks Tony! Love the 'ferine talons' too ~ another creepy one from long ago...really interesting to read or hear these horror stories and so get a glimpse of what was going on in the creative psyches of the last century.
I want to get a set of ferine talons. I bet I can get some on Etsy
@@ClassicGhost LOL! yes---you probably could! easily.
Oh yeah!!!!!!! I love this story.
Dr. Who!? Those kind of references are why I choose to be patreon member
That was my fave Dr Who. And thank you for being a Patreon member
Crying angels😱back when Dr Who was awesome
Great point about the consistency of the Mythos.
Thanks Aaron.
Last week, I think, I stumbled upon this delightful reading. And I have kept coming back to your channel ever since. Both for the quality of your readings, but also because I really like your short comments upon the story at the end. Your channel is a true gem!
PS: Isn't the bit of dialogue you open the reading with, from 'Psychomania'?
Yes it is from Psychomania! Thanks for coming back :)
Interesting & fine narration 📗 ... *Spoiler Alert* I can see that shredded🍏 green dress🐲🐲🐲📗
My great grandparents on my father's side lived in Long Valley, CA. I think in the late 1800's.
Sounds a nice place
Just delicious! Thank you Tony. What is sub stack? I'm pretty confused about channels and options......
Stay here
Hello Tony! Hope you are well! I have an early start so I will let you know what I think tomorrow, not that you give a tinkers care! Nor should you, but feedback is always good, I feel. Anyway, you know I love you! You are one amazing human being! I love your imagination and I admire you so much! I know you one day you will be Very famous and rich! You’ve got “it” I hate the way that the tv show stole the expression “The X Factor” From our beautiful English language, Hopefully in 100 years or so the English language can claim it back! Did you know that the English language has more than 50% of the words in the French language? Considering that all of the words have either a masculine or feminine pronoun in front of them which counts as an extra word, I think that is extraordinary! We have so many different words to express ourselves with. The French have to put up with one word which is the direct translation of up to 10 different English words sometimes! E.g.tres Bon Covers so many different English words! We can be so much more specific in description but even with all these words, nothing can describe what happens when we die! After my NDE, when I was asked what it was like I was totally speechless for the first time in my life except for when I was in the coma for three days on life-support after being clinically dead for four minutes - no heartbeat or brain activity! When I came back I could see colours around people, It was just the human aura but my strengthened intuition (as a direct result of the NDE) I knew not to tell the nurses or I would have ended up in the psych ward and I later found out that It actually would have been the case! I would have felt like a wild bird trapped in a tiny cage.... I digress.....
You always pick amazing stories, sometimes I actually get an inspiration to listen to one of them! Often twice the same story because you always hear something new and after you’ve heard it all every word then you go deeper into the understanding of it! There are unlimited Depths to understanding, You can have many lightbulb/a ha moments on the exact same subject! Anyway the whole thing is just an idea, an idea you can ignore course......but I think you would be amazing at creating a sister channel just like one of those channels that help people go to sleep and you could speak in a way, You would have to practice and come up with the best expression of your voice to relax people with your soothing melodic tones and accent because I know you’re talented as an actor, so talented in fact, that you could speak differently again when you have To use the voice that you use on this channel because it is relaxing enough (Believe me) and don’t get into the habit of using that hypothetical voice because otherwise you would put us all to sleep! You’ve got such a gorgeous voice and your accent..... I absolutely love it! I could listen to you read the phonebook..... so the Americans love British accents and I think it would do really well! What do they call it AMSR!?! it’s becoming more and more popular so now is the perfect time for this hypothetical venture, but a lot of what is Available is really, really annoying and I don’t like it when they whisper. Or scrape things! Making strange noises and people get off on it! A soothing relaxing voice Like yours would be a gift from the heavens for people with insomnia, just to read horror! You can even read mysteries like Sherlock Holmes and father Brown, Agatha Christie, she has had more books published than anyone except for the Bible and Shakespeare! I used
to read her books as a child, (weird kid right!?) like YT channel sleep Cove! Just really like you normally do but in a more relaxing way and you could help so many people with their insomnia, just think you could write your own fairytales for adults, and maybe then they could be published for children also! This is a really big thing right now & so it is a way of giving back and people who give always receive so much more back multiplied! I have experienced this first hand from volunteering in a charity shop, I was having a terrible time and so much bad luck and death in my family and I did this and it turned everything around for me! For people who have insomnia you could be the best gift ever! And get a lot more subscribers et cetera, I am very sorry but I had an intuitive urge to tell you this and I always follow those impulses because it’s like a message that I have to pass on if I don’t I feel so guilty afterwards! You see it’s the one and thing that I’m good at besides playing the piano, being intuitive. Once I told somebody To go to hospital and get her lungs checked and she said she never smoked in her life but I urged her and I gave her my telephone number out of interest, She was open-minded apparently, I wouldn’t have been guided to speak to her otherwise and she rang me back and it turned out that they had caught the cancer early and it saved her life! Why would I make this up? This comment is too long I doubt you will even read it! I have no reason to make things like that up! Another time I was saved from something because I followed my gut feeling it was when I was an escort when I was 16 and I got to the door and I was about to press the doorbell and my solar plexus gave me such a forceful feeling like “no!” And I ran and this man came out and tried to chase me and I got into a car that was just about to leave and this guy saved me! There have been times when I wasn’t so lovely before I learnt to listen to my intuition. I apologise for the length of this message......it just came out of me! I’m serious! it was like automatic writing! Forgive me......🤦🏼♀️💛🕊 I understand if you never want to speak to me again, I would bet you any amount of money but if you took on this venture it would be a huge success. PS! I was writing this the entire time while you were reading and I was editing it and at the end you mentioned fairytales! Talk about synchronicity I swear on my life on my mothers life and my grandmother’s grave I am not making this up! For me synchronicity means you’re on the right path with the right person doing the right thing at the right time this is something you need to go for! 100% I don’t care if you never speak To me again over this this is how strongly I feel about it! Just think about it, let the Seed be planted in your mind and watch in case it grows, And grows and grows and suddenly you’ve got shit loads of subscribers and a published author of fairytales that are new For both adults and children kind of like Harry Potter was meant for children but adults loved it! Now you must think I’m a total lunatic and you’re right I’m as mad as a box of frogs but I know it and if there is awareness there, that proves because people who are really crazy think they are totally sane!!!! I mean the lunatics have no idea they think they’re completely normal. Like people who get up and go to work and don’t have family’s to support but they go to the job they hate to continue making money so they can continue living the life that they hate!? That sounds pretty insane to me! That’s why I admire people like you who have changed their dreams into reality and know that they are unlimited and will continue to become more successful and always plan ahead because if you fail to plan you plan to fail so always visualise the results you want in your future and feel the feelings of them being already manifested in this physical realm and watch them happen. I loved that book about Dorian Gray BTW, I’ve just heard you mention it. THE END!
🕊🌟✨⭐️💛👑💛⭐️✨🌟🕊
I do care!
🤭 WOWSERS
So I have now read the whole comment. Your NDE sounds interesting and you have had a colourful life. I did try to do a sleep stories podcast and some videos on here but they completely flopped
@@ClassicGhost
That comment was way too long! I appreciate you reading it! Keep on doing what you’re doing because you do it extremely well! I tried to have a listen to your latest video last night but I fell asleep! Ironically! I was knackered, I will have a listen now though, I always do this when I fall asleep listening to something! I just have to find Out what happens in the end!
Since you went there….the assumption then is that the devil does not influence human affairs, (but does he …sometimes more, sometimes less, sometimes a lot?)
16:28 just a bookmark for myself.
Clark Ashton Smith’s poetry never had the brilliance of Swinburne.
No, Swinburne was pretty good. C AS had a fevered imagination though
Creepier than creepy! Good show! But next time, I’ll listen in broad daylight....😳
Yes that is so...everybody dies ...yes that is so🤔
Deutsch?
geschichte auf deutsch?
@@ClassicGhost ich spreche kein englisch.
@@susannepapendieck9413 Das könnte hier ein Problem sein, da ich nur auf Englisch lese
I have to say, the ending was slightly ruined for me by the fact that he didn't bring a chisel. A stone mason/sculptor would know, even if they weren't fully aware of why they were doing what they were doing, that a hammer on its own does very little.
Very gothic . Lot of foreshadowing in the story. His hatred for the townspeople and lust for Nicolette got buried into the gargoyles and they had the freedom to enact his feelings. One thing I don't get why these demonic statues are used for decoration for churches or cathedrals.
I likes me a bit of Gothic
👹
And that just goes to show why you shouldn't go imprisoning all your festering rancor in a malign cat-headed griffin
More story, less commentary
Consider how many hundreds of hours of stories I have recorded that you can listen to for free. Read the many other comments where people state they enjoy the commentary. Be amazed that you aren’t the only person I narrate these for . Reflect that other narrators do these stories without commentaries and make a plan of action for your further listening . Also take a course in basic good manners and don’t be so rude .