Horrible Imaginings Podcast #165: The Kit Bag by Algernon Blackwood
The winter holidays are quickly approaching, so what better time for a quick “Storytime Edition” of the Horrible Imaginings Podcast? “Storytime Edition” episodes are readings of classic horror, Gothic, or paranormal short stories in the public domain.
Today’s story takes place in the holiday season, though that has little bearing on the horrors within. The title is “The Kit Bag,” and it was first published in 1908 in Pall Mall Magazine. The author was Algernon Blackwood, a British author renowned for his prolific collections of weird and supernatural stories.
Algernon Blackwood portrait by Howard Coster, half-plate film negative, July 1929
What I like about this particular story is that Blackwood makes several asides during the narrative to discuss the nature of fear itself, various stages of fear, and, most importantly, the effects that fear can have on an otherwise rational person. This story is as much about fear killing reason as it is about anything paranormal. But don’t worry… there is some paranormal stuff going on too! So make some hot chocolate (or some eggnog with bourbon) and enter Blackwood’s haunted world with me!
Subscribe to the Horrible Imaginings Podcast right here. You can also listen here on Dread Central or on the Horrible Imaginings website. You can help keep the podcast, the film festival, and our horror community going for only $1 per month! Become a patron on Patreon for exclusive content and perks! Find out about San Diego horror events on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and, as always, stay scared!
Categorized:Horrible Imaginings Podcast News Podcasts
