John Silence

John Silence
AuthorAlgernon Blackwood
LanguageEnglish
GenreSupernatural fiction
Publication date1908
Publication placeUnited Kingdom

John Silence (also known as John Silence: Physician Extraordinary) is a collection of supernatural short stories by English journalist and author Algernon Blackwood, first published in 1908. They are considered early examples of the occult detective subgenre, and went on to greatly influence other characters such as William Hope Hodgson's better known Carnacki.[1]

Contents

Silence is a physician who, thanks to his independent wealth, takes his cases free of charge. Having undergone psychic training, he investigates matters rooted in supernatural causes.[1]

The book originally contained the following stories:

  1. "A Psychical Invasion"
  2. "Ancient Sorceries"
  3. "The Nemesis of Fire"
  4. "Secret Worship"
  5. "The Camp of the Dog"

Some recent editions also include "A Victim of Higher Space"[2] – an additional John Silence story that was first published in The Occult Review in 1914, and later included in Blackwood's anthology Day and Night Stories (1917).[3]

Adaptations

Film

"Ancient Sorceries" served as partial inspiration for the classic horror film Cat People (1942).[4]

Television

"Ancient Sorceries" was adapted as the sixth episode of series two of Tales of Mystery, an ITV anthology series adapting Blackwood's stories. Broadcast on August 8, 1962, the episode did not feature the character of Silence.

Radio and audio

The CBS anthology series Escape adapted "Ancient Sorceries". Two broadcasts were aired in February 1948 for the east and west coasts. Silence did not appear.

Four John Silence stories were dramatised by Sheila Hodgson for BBC Radio 4 from August 1974 to October 1975: "The Camp of the Dog",[5] "The Nemesis of Fire",[6] "Secret Worship",[7] and "The Empty Sleeve" (based on one of Blackwood's short stories that did not include John Silence).[8] All starred Malcolm Hayes as Silence.

"Ancient Sorceries" was read unabridged in four parts by Philip Madoc for BBC 7 and broadcast in September 2005.[9]

"Ancient Sorceries" was abridged and adapted by Fiona McAlpine and read by Hugh Ross for BBC Radio 4. It was broadcast in August 2006 as part of the Algernon Blackwood's Ghost Stories series. It did not include John Silence.[10]

All of the stories have been recorded at LibriVox, some several times: "A Psychical Invasion" (2010,[11] 2013[12]), "Ancient Sorceries" (2013[12]), "The Nemesis of Fire" (2013[12]), "Secret Worship" (2013,[12] 2021[13]), "The Camp of the Dog" (2007,[14] 2013,[12] 2021[13]), and "A Victim of Higher Space" (2013,[12] 2014,[15] 2017,[16] 2021[13]).

References

  1. 1 2 Nevins, Jess. "Silence, Doctor". The Encyclopedia of Pulp Heroes. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "The Complete John Silence Stories (John Silence: Psychical Investigator) by Algernon Blackwood". Fantastic Fiction. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  3. ↑ Clute, John; Grant, John, eds. (1998). "Blackwood, Algernon (Henry)". The Encyclopedia of Fantasy. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. p. 117. ISBN 0-312-19869-8.
  4. ↑ Eder, Bruce (18 October 1994). "Cat People". The Criterion Collection. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Algernon Blackwood - The Camp of the Dog". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Algernon Blackwood - The Nemesis of Fire". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  7. ↑ "Algernon Blackwood - Secret Worship". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  8. ↑ "Algernon Blackwood - The Empty Sleeve". BBC Programme Index. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  9. ↑ "Ancient Sorceries by Algernon Blackwood, 1. Arthur's Journey". BBC. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Algernon Blackwood's Ghost Stories, 3. Ancient Sorceries". BBC. Retrieved 6 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Lords of the Housetops: Thirteen Cat Tales". LibriVox. 2 July 2010. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "John Silence". LibriVox. 23 August 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 "Three More John Silence Stories". LibriVox. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  14. ↑ "The Camp of the Dog". LibriVox. 9 May 2007. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  15. ↑ "Day And Night Stories". LibriVox. 9 July 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
  16. ↑ "Short Science Fiction Collection 057". LibriVox. 29 March 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
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