03-25-2021, 08:21 AM | #1 |
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Conan
Has anyone read the complete Chronicles of Conan?
So far don't think Conan has come up in any of the threads about books - movies and fantasy series recommendations etc. Is it worth the read? |
03-25-2021, 09:03 AM | #2 |
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Apparently it is. I have the complete stories, but am not motivated to read it. Many people respect its influence on Fantasy.
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03-26-2021, 06:54 AM | #3 |
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It depends on what you like. Robert Howard was a pulp writer who wrote during the 1930's, so Conan is pulp. If you like the style then it's worth the read because it's one of the better examples of that style of writing. Tolkien and Howard were likely the two most influential writers in fantasy. It's a series of short stories and in public domain, so just try reading one of the short stories/novelettes and see what you think. The first one written was The Phoenix on the Sword. My copy of the complete Conan starts with an overview or history of the imaginary lands. You can skip that and go directly to the story.
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03-26-2021, 10:37 AM | #4 |
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My teenage children have classified Conon as a Power Fantasy Hero!
On the positive side they think he's a well written Power Fantasy Hero! with just enough weaknesses and flaws to be interesting. One of my teen daughters also likes the magic system and world building. |
03-26-2021, 10:56 AM | #5 |
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The Conan stories written by Robert E. Howard defined the genre. They are brilliant. He wrote quite a few, so some are better than others. I haven't read them all. Start with The Tower of the Elephant and Thieves in the House. Red Nails is good too.
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03-30-2021, 08:30 AM | #6 |
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So you're saying that we shouldn't read the stories in chronological order? But we should start with The Tower of the Elephant? Is there a particular reason for this?
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03-31-2021, 08:52 AM | #7 |
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In one word []: Yes, they are absolutely brilliant and enjoyable reads, especially if you're tired of the recent batch of what passes today for Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels.
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03-31-2021, 09:27 AM | #8 |
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03-31-2021, 10:38 AM | #9 |
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One of REH's favorite authors, Harold Lamb, put the "sword" in sword & sorcery. Just in case anyone's interested in who defined he who defined the genre.
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03-31-2021, 01:14 PM | #10 |
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03-31-2021, 10:24 PM | #11 |
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03-31-2021, 10:32 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
When I say Howard defined the genre, I do not mean he was necessarily the first, but the best. In the same way I feel Raymond Chandler defined his genre, not Dashiel Hamnmit who came first, because Chandler is just so damn good. Incomparable on fact. |
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04-01-2021, 02:10 AM | #13 |
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I guess I will have to get a book or 2 and see for myself.
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04-01-2021, 07:39 AM | #14 |
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04-01-2021, 01:03 PM | #15 |
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Conan The Barbarian: The Complete Collection
Conan The Barbarian: The Complete Collection (Bauer Classics) is free on the Amazon web site.
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