THE DREAM SNAKE

Episode #436 · Written by Robert E. Howard · Narrated by Scott Miller

On a still night under a rising golden moon, a man begins to reveal the strange vision that has haunted him since childhood. What follows is a chilling account of a life he only lives in dreams.

Some dreams fade with morning. Others refuse to loosen their grip. In The Dream Snake, Robert E. Howard presents a recurring nightmare so vivid it feels like a second life. A man finds himself returning again and again to an isolated bungalow on an African plain, trapped in a reality that exists only when he sleeps.

Each night stretches into eternity as he waits, listening to the grass outside whisper under the weight of something vast and unseen. Time loses meaning. Fear becomes physical. The most terrifying truth is not what stalks the darkness, but the certainty that the dream is advancing toward an inevitable moment he cannot survive.

The horror deepens because there is no awareness of dreaming. There is no mental escape hatch. With every recurrence, the boundary between sleep and waking life erodes, and the dream begins to leave its mark on the real world. What follows is a slow, merciless tightening of psychological dread.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert E. Howard is best remembered as the creator of Conan the Barbarian, but his talent extended far beyond heroic fantasy. He was a master of atmosphere, known for stories that pulse with primal fear, isolation, and cosmic unease. His work often explores humanity confronting forces too ancient or immense to understand.

The Dream Snake showcases Howard’s ability to merge psychological horror with speculative fiction. Long before modern discussions of trauma and recurring nightmares, he crafted a tale that treats fear as a living presence. The result is a haunting exploration of the mind under siege.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to The Dream Snake by Robert E. Howard — a haunting classic sci-fi tale of dread and destiny. Hear this unforgettable story today!

RELATED STORIES

• The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune by Robert E. Howard
• The Fearsome Touch of Death by Robert E. Howard
• The Dream Snake by Robert E. Howard
• The Shunned House by H. P. Lovecraft

ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked #1 in 33 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.2 million listens, introducing classic science fiction to a global audience of devoted fans.

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:

★★★★★ “Perfect sci-fi podcast, perfect narrator. It’s rare to find a podcast of this quality.”
— Holy Mountaineer

★★★★★ “Hands down the podcast I look forward to most, every single week.”
— podsquad

Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.

📬 JOIN LOST SCI-FI WEEKLY

25,000+ 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.