The Drabblecast Audio Fiction Podcast · Norm Sherman

Drabblecast 471 – The Monster-God of Mamurth

·36 min·3 clips

Norm Sherman teases a forgotten desert horror story that might be the genre's first stab at the Tremors mythos.

This episode features the classic science fiction story "The Monster-God of Mamurth" by Edmund Hamilton, read by host Norm Sherman. Norm Sherman introduces this tale of forgotten places and desert horrors from the golden age of pulp fiction. He suggests listeners imagine it as an early genre precursor to stories like *Tremors*, involving threats from beneath the ground. The narrative follows an archaeological expedition in the Sahara Desert that discovers the lost city of Mamurth. Two explorers, Professor Landers and his younger colleague, find the city completely deserted yet perfectly preserved. They encounter strange, invisible barriers and ultimately face the city's unseen, monstrous ruler. Edmund Hamilton, the author, was a prolific mid-20th century writer for publications like *Weird Tales* alongside H.P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard. His career famously began with a story about invisibility. The plot hinges on the explorers' confrontation with a terrifying, non-corporeal entity that dominates the ancient city. The story builds tension through the characters' investigation of the silent, empty ruins and their gradual realization of an omnipresent danger. A key insight is the story's exploration of an utterly alien form of life and power that defies human perception. The horror stems from an enemy that cannot be seen or traditionally fought, creating a pervasive sense of dread. The concept of a "monster-god" ruling an abandoned city presents a unique twist on ancient civilization narratives. Hamilton's prose effectively builds atmosphere through the eerie desolation of the setting. The listener is left to visualize the unseen threats based on the characters' reactions and the soundscape. The story's premise—that the greatest terrors are those which remain just beyond our senses—is a central and chilling theme. The host's introduction is conversational, humorous, and slightly rambling, directly engaging the listener with personal asides. The story itself is presented in a classic, straightforward narrative style, focused on building atmospheric suspense. Listeners who enjoy vintage pulp science fiction and horror from authors like H.P. Lovecraft will appreciate this episode. Those seeking modern, action-packed monster stories or clear resolutions might find the pacing and style less to their taste.

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