Short Story cover image

Short Story

An Affliction by Lottie Mills

May 21, 2024
Delve into a fantastical realm where a mysterious illness transforms the residents of an invalid colony. Katie Craven's unsettling change intrigues caregivers and reveals her deeper insights. The chilling atmosphere juxtaposes beauty with grotesque realities, featuring characters like Alice who challenge the norms. Tension builds as a doctor faces moral dilemmas amidst this eerie backdrop, exploring themes of defiance and the uncanny. Engaging storytelling invites listeners to ponder the nature of affliction and understanding.
14:40

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The transformation of Katie and the other girls reveals a deeper exploration of identity and empowerment in the face of societal expectations.
  • The story illustrates the tension between order and chaos, as the doctor's struggle to maintain control contrasts with the girls' newfound strength and wildness.

Deep dives

The Mysterious Illness at St. Francis Invalid Colony

A strange illness begins to take hold of the residents at St. Francis Invalid Colony, starting with a girl named Katie whose eyes turn yellow and pupils stretch into slits. The initial reaction of the nurses is one of bewilderment, as they began reflecting on Katie's appearance and her previous obscurity among the girls. This marks the beginning of a transformation that escalates, revealing that Katie is aware of her condition, contrary to the nurses' assumptions. The doctor's arrival reveals his admiration for the colony's orderly appearance, but he quickly encounters the reality of the girls' alarming afflictions.

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode