The Black Stone

By: Robert E. Howard

Narrated by: H.P. Lovecraft Historical Society

Length: 1 hr and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Dark Adventure Radio Theatre presents Robert E. Howard's tale of horrors in Eastern Europe in a 1930s-style radio drama. The story bounds to life with a cast of nineteen professional actors, thrilling sound effects and an original orchestral score by Troy Sterling Nies. They're like movies you can enjoy with your eyes closed.

Charlie Tower seeks refuge from the horrors of the Great War in Berlin's most notorious nightclubs. There a chain of events is set in motion that will lead him across Europe to investigate the mysterious Black Stone. Is it merely a creation of superstitious peasants, or is it a nexus for hideous gods of the ancient world to set foot into ours?

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1931 Robert E. Howard Properties, LLC (P)2022 HPLHS, Inc.

Surprising Find

I accidentally bought this book because I thought it was an H. P. Lovecraft story I had never heard of before. When I learned it was written by Robert E. Howard, a writer I did not know, I was prepared to return the book until his story of Europe in the waning days of World War I hooked me. It was a strange, cosmopolitan period with many people from diverse backgrounds. And yet, elements of a Lovecraft story were familiar--an ancient monolith, a cult, a monster god, and babies sacrificed to it. Howard borrowed liberally from Lovecraft's themes. What I am about to say next may sound blasphemous to some. Still, Howard surpassed Lovecraft on many levels--better dialogue (especially Eastern European languages), writing, a grasp of long and short history in war-weary, border-changing Europe, and, most importantly, better, more sympathetic, well-rounded characters. A character that stole the show was the narrator's guide--a one-hand woman and Communist fighter. When she spoke, I felt a much-needed breath of fresh air in the tired, overly masculine horror genre where women are either victims or witches. In his entire career--and I heard all of Lovecraft's stories--he never wrote a female character like her. For this and other reasons, Robert Weinberg and E. P. Berglund, in their 1973 book The Reader's Guide To The Cthulhu Mythos, stated that "The Black Stone" was "the best Mythos story not written by Lovecraft himself."

Great story! and superbly done.

The HPLHS has done a fantastic job in rendering Robert E Howards the black stone. if you like radio dramas give this a listen.

More, please, more!

It never fails to amaze me, how talented and good the people who make the HPLHS.
These audio dramatization mainly of HP Lovecraft's stories, are hands down, the very best that you can listen too.
I own all the Dark Adventure Radio audio dramatizations.
Not all of them are equal, but ALL are exceptionally produced and the performances are really good.
None of the productions are boring.
Personally, these adaptations are very creative, entertaining and fun to listen too.
They are faithful to the stories, but have their own unique humor and production qualities.
I just really love listening to them.
Very much recommended.
I hope HPLHS, makes more!!!

HPLHS Does it Again

Great story, great adaptation, amazing voice work, and a love for horror and the source material. I can’t recommend this story or the HPLHS more.

Powerful storytelling.

Based on a story by Robert E. Howard. Exceptional, well told, well performed, meaningful atmosphere and sound effects, feels like a true old radio drama. I loved every second. Howard was heavily influenced by his friend HP Lovecraft and you can tell they were equals. I was always more of a Howard fan than Lovecraft but one thing that Howard can pull off perfectly is the pulpy adventure feel of that time. Mix that with the cosmic horror and mystery of Lovecraft and you are in a VERY entertaining place. Thank you DART for adapting this and being so great.