THE PARASITE

Episode #270 · Written by Arthur C. Clarke · Narrated by Scott Miller

A man confesses that an unseen presence has invaded his mind, watching his every thought and craving his deepest emotions. But as his friend tries to help, both men are forced to face a terrifying possibility about what’s really inside him.

The Parasite by Arthur C. Clarke is a masterfully crafted psychological science-fiction drama about obsession, fear, and an unseen intelligence that may be reaching across time itself. When Jack Pearson arrives on the island of Syrene after receiving troubling news about his old friend Roy Connolly, he finds a man transformed — haunted, withdrawn, and terrified of something he refuses to name at first. But when Roy finally speaks, he reveals a stunning confession: a telepathic entity is living inside his mind, observing his thoughts, experiencing his emotions, and waiting… for something only it knows.

As Roy describes the being he calls “Omega,” Pearson struggles to distinguish imagination from possibility. Clarke’s writing forces the reader into an unsettling space between psychological disturbance and a chilling new form of alien contact, delivered through the intimate medium of human consciousness. The story slowly tightens its grip as Roy recounts visions of a creature from a far-distant, decadent future — a mind so ancient and hungry that it roams history searching for a human host. Whether Roy is delusional or genuinely possessed remains uncertain — until a dramatic confrontation brings horrifying clarity.

Clarke excels at portraying the fragile borders between sanity and the unknown, using the quiet Mediterranean setting as a stark contrast to the internal chaos consuming Roy. The Parasite is a story about guilt, identity, and the terrifying realization that the greatest threats may not come from the stars, but from the unseen corners of the mind.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arthur C. Clarke (1917–2008) remains one of science fiction’s foundational thinkers and storytellers. His body of work spans novels, short stories, essays, and visionary scientific commentary that helped define modern speculative fiction. Clarke’s gift was his ability to merge scientific plausibility with expansive imagination, creating stories that felt both grounded and wondrous. His influence extends beyond literature into telecommunications, planetary science, and cultural history.

He proposed the concept of geostationary satellites years before they became a reality, earning him recognition as a pioneer of orbital communications. Clarke co-created 2001: A Space Odyssey with filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, delivering a landmark in cinematic and literary science fiction. His works frequently explore humanity’s place within a vast cosmos, the limits of knowledge, and the philosophical consequences of technological advancement.

Winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and numerous lifetime achievement awards, Clarke inspired generations of readers, scientists, and explorers. His writing continues to resonate for its sense of wonder, intellectual curiosity, and its belief that humanity’s future — filled with mystery and discovery — is worth imagining.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to The Parasite by Arthur C. Clarke — a gripping vintage sci-fi tale of a man haunted by a mind-invading presence that may be real… or far beyond imagination.

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 38 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 4.2 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:

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Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.

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