THE SHAMBLER FROM THE STARS

Episode #464 · Written by Robert Bloch · Narrated by Scott Miller

A struggling writer’s obsession with forbidden knowledge leads him to a discovery no human mind was meant to grasp. One reckless act opens a doorway to something vast, unseen, and utterly indifferent to human life.

In The Shambler From The Stars, Robert Bloch weaves a powerful tale of creative ambition, forbidden knowledge, and the unseen forces lurking beyond human understanding. The narrator, a writer dissatisfied with conventional horror, yearns for something truly original—something vast, strange, and utterly unlike anything written before. His search leads him into the shadowed corners of occult lore, where ancient books promise inspiration at a terrible price.

When a rare and dangerous volume falls into his hands, the narrator enlists the help of a learned friend to unlock its secrets. What follows is a night of revelation that shatters the boundary between human curiosity and cosmic indifference. Bloch builds tension through atmosphere and implication, crafting a story where unseen entities respond swiftly to human arrogance, and where knowledge itself becomes a lethal temptation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Bloch was one of the most versatile and influential writers in speculative fiction, moving effortlessly between horror, science fiction, and psychological suspense. Early in his career, Bloch developed a close friendship and correspondence with H. P. Lovecraft, absorbing the themes of cosmic insignificance and forbidden knowledge that would shape much of his early work.

Best known later as the author of Psycho, Bloch’s contributions to weird fiction and cosmic horror helped define the genre for future generations. His stories often focus on flawed, obsessive characters whose intellectual hunger leads them into danger. The Shambler From The Stars stands as a classic example of Bloch’s early mastery—blending cosmic terror with deeply human failings.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to The Shambler From The Stars by Robert Bloch — a landmark of classic science fiction and cosmic terror where forbidden knowledge summons unseen horrors.

RELATED STORIES

• The Grip of Death by Robert Bloch
• Dwellers in Silence by Ray Bradbury
• The One Who Waits by Ray Bradbury

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