The Holes by Michael Shaara Episode #456
Michael Shaara | November 21, 2025-
play_circle_filled
The Holes by Michael Shaara Episode #456
Michael Shaara
THE HOLES
Episode #456 · Written by Michael Shaara · Narrated by Scott Miller
A routine survey of an unremarkable planet spirals into dread as two explorers discover a network of perfectly round holes that seem to defy nature, physics, and common sense. What begins as scientific curiosity soon becomes a race to understand what’s growing beneath the sand—and why the holes are widening.
On a nameless, windswept planet of white sand and long shadows, Mapping Command scouts Frank Royal and McCabe expect nothing more than a dull survey. Instead, they find a perfectly circular hole—too smooth, too clean, and far too deep to be natural. When rocks make no sound on impact and radar beams vanish without returning, curiosity shifts to unease. Something dug this shaft. Something keeps it clean. And whatever it is, it’s still active.
Driven by instinct and hard-won experience, Royal pushes them to investigate farther. What they find defies logic: multiple holes scattered across plains and ice, each one deeper and wider than the last, as though the planet is slowly being eaten from within. The tension builds gradually—through unexplained measurements, growing diameters, collapsing rims—until the planet itself seems ready to swallow them. And just when they believe they’ve escaped, the quiet horror follows them home.
Shaara plays expertly with scale, dread, and the unsettling notion that not all threats are predators—some are processes. The final realization, delivered in one small physical detail, transforms the mystery into a nightmare neither man can outrun.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Shaara (1928–1988) is best remembered for his Pulitzer-winning Civil War novel The Killer Angels, but long before that acclaim he was a vibrant presence in mid-century science fiction magazines. His sci-fi tales often combined adventure with an undercurrent of philosophical tension: what happens to people when the unknown pushes back? Shaara excelled at creating characters who reveal themselves through pressure—brave, flawed, stubborn, and human.
His early stories display a remarkable command of pacing and mood. Whether writing about space exploration, alien ecosystems, or strange psychological threats, Shaara brought a grounded sense of reality to even the wildest speculation. He understood that believable characters make impossible events feel immediate. The Holes reflects the young author honing that skill—showing how fear grows not from spectacle, but from understanding just enough to realize the danger.
Later in life, Shaara would become a towering figure in historical fiction, yet his science-fiction years remain a testament to his imagination and versatility. For fans of classic speculative storytelling, The Holes is a rare treat: precise, atmospheric, and unforgettable.
LISTEN TO THE STORY
Listen to The Holes by Michael Shaara — a gripping tale of bottomless shafts on an alien world—perfect for fans of vintage sci-fi and classic science fiction suspense.
MICHAEL SHAARA SHORT STORIES
Michael Shaara brought a strong sense of humanity to his science fiction, focusing on characters placed under pressure rather than relying on spectacle alone. His stories often examine how ordinary people respond when technology, space travel, or strange circumstances push them beyond what feels safe or familiar.
There is a quiet intensity to Shaara’s writing. Humor appears unexpectedly, tension builds through conversation, and the emotional stakes emerge slowly as situations grow more complicated than they first appear.
These stories showcase his range, from thoughtful spacebound dramas to sharp character studies where the real conflict comes from how people adapt to the unknown.
ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST
The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in 34 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.8 million listens.
Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.
What listeners are saying:
★★★★★
“Very microphonic professional voice. I wish other producers would cast similar voices than this one. Many of them have very thin and not engaging voices. This is not the case here. Very professional and very pleasant and calming tone of voice. Top talent. Easy to listen to and easy to fall asleep. Highly recommended.”
— Yeseter
★★★★★
“Best podcast. Incredible authors, stories, and narrations.”
— NYR1993
Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.
📬 JOIN LOST SCI-FI WEEKLY
35,000+ Listeners Can’t Be Wrong
Get vintage sci-fi stories, podcast episodes, and surprises every Monday.
FREE SCI-FI EVERY WEEK
✅ Check your email and confirm — that unlocks your free sci-fi downloads.
No spam in this galaxy. You can eject anytime.
