BBC Radio to broadcast reading of C. L. Moore’s classic 1933 short story “Shambleau”

BBC Radio 7 will broadcast a reading of female SF&F author C. L. Moore’s classic science fiction/fantasy short story “Shambleau” this week. Originally published in the November 1933 issue of Weird Tales magazine, the story is essentially a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Medusa, and stars Moore's interplanetary hero Northwest Smith. Here’s the broadcast schedule for “Shambleau,” with descriptions provided by the BBC:

• Episode 1, August 31st and again on September 1st. A space bounty-hunter lives to regret rescuing a young woman from attack.

• Episode 2, September 1st and again on September 2nd. Northwest Smith discovers the secret power of the alien woman he rescued.

• Episode 3, September 2nd and again on September 3rd. As he falls under the snake-haired alien's spell, is Northwest's time up?

Presumably, these episodes will be archived and accessible for a limited time through BBC’s "Listen Again" feature. Check the BBC’s website for details.

If you prefer to read “Shambleau” yourself, read it for free online. Note that all of C. L. Moore's Northwest Smith stories were published in Northwest of Earth: The Complete Northwest Smith (March 2008), which you can purchase from Paizo Publishing. The collection was reviewed by Fred Kiesche at SF Signal.

Pictured: Shambleau