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The Conspiracy against the Human Race

A Contrivance of Horror

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The Conspiracy against the Human Race

By: Thomas Ligotti
Narrated by: Jon Padgett
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About this listen

 In Thomas Ligotti's first nonfiction outing, an examination of the meaning (or meaninglessness) of life through an insightful, unsparing argument that proves the greatest horrors are not the products of our imagination but instead are found in reality.

"There is a signature motif discernible in both works of philosophical pessimism and supernatural horror. It may be stated thus: Behind the scenes of life lurks something pernicious that makes a nightmare of our world."

His fiction is known to be some of the most terrifying in the genre of supernatural horror, but Thomas Ligotti's first nonfiction book may be even scarier. Drawing on philosophy, literature, neuroscience, and other fields of study, Ligotti takes the penetrating lens of his imagination and turns it on his audience, causing them to grapple with the brutal reality that they are living a meaningless nightmare, and anyone who feels otherwise is simply acting out an optimistic fallacy. At once a guidebook to pessimistic thought and a relentless critique of humanity's employment of self-deception to cope with the pervasive suffering of their existence, The Conspiracy against the Human Race may just convince listeners that there is more than a measure of truth in the despairing yet unexpectedly liberating negativity that is widely considered a hallmark of Ligotti's work. Essays Ethics & Morality Literary History & Criticism Philosophy Paranormal Scary Fantasy

Critic reviews

“Ligotti, with the wit of a decadent and the eloquence of a funeral organ, guides us confidently through the grimmer corners of intellectual and cultural history…He exposits on horror’s themes and its canon with practitioner’s grace.”
—The Millions
All stars
Most relevant
This book will make you reconsider everything. It will make you angry, sad, frustrated, scared, and occasionally, it will even make you laugh but you will never quite see life in the same way again.

Utterly, depressingly, brilliant.

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A philosophical masterpiece that has ignited the spark in countless writers' hearts, brought to life by a voice that feels like it was destined for these words. The interpretation by Jon Padgett captures the essence of Ligotti's writing, proving again that this is a perfect match to experience the exploration of human consciousness.
Drawing heavily from the existential musings of Julio Cabarera and Peter Zapffe, Ligotti weaves a tapestry of cosmic horror and philosophical pessimism that challenges readers to confront the very nature of existence. Now, in this form, it’s a perfect way to experience the original on the go, which is an unforgettable trip that lingers long after the (audio)book is finished.

Philosophical masterpiece

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