Conan

Gandulf · 03-25-2021, 08:21 AM

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?

Luffy · 03-25-2021, 09:03 AM

Apparently it is. I have the complete stories, but am not motivated to read it. Many people respect its influence on Fantasy.

pwalker8 · 03-26-2021, 06:54 AM

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.

ekbell · 03-26-2021, 10:37 AM

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.

Pajamaman · 03-26-2021, 10:56 AM

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.

Number9 · 03-30-2021, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

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.

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?

Dr. Drib · 03-31-2021, 08:52 AM

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.

Pajamaman · 03-31-2021, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number9

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?

It is because they are the best stories.

DiapDealer · 03-31-2021, 10:38 AM

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.

Number9 · 03-31-2021, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pajamaman

It is because they are the best stories.

Thank you! I shall trust your word. 😊

Pajamaman · 03-31-2021, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number9

Thank you! I shall trust your word. 😊

Its rogues in the house, not theives.

There's a few others that are considered master prices, but those are three that grabbed and held me personally.

Pajamaman · 03-31-2021, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

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.

Thanks for the tip. Lamb sounds fun. I'll try it.

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.

Gandulf · 04-01-2021, 02:10 AM

I guess I will have to get a book or 2 and see for myself.

pwalker8 · 04-01-2021, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gandulf

I guess I will have to get a book or 2 and see for myself.

They are free and in the moble read library, so the only thing you have to lose is time. Of course, that's the one thing you can never get back.

IrishBob · 04-01-2021, 01:03 PM

Conan The Barbarian: The Complete Collection (Bauer Classics) is free on the Amazon web site.

03-25-2021, 08:21 AM	#1
Gandulf Addict Posts: 210 Karma: 4491791 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: South Africa Device: Kindle PW4	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?

03-31-2021, 08:52 AM	#7
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,324 Karma: 59447733 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	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.

04-01-2021, 01:03 PM	#15
IrishBob Member Posts: 13 Karma: 2004024 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Easton, Pa Device: Kindle, Fire Tablet	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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03-25-2021, 09:03 AM	#2
Luffy Wizard Posts: 4,461 Karma: 429063498 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Mauritius Device: Kindle Paperwhite 4	Apparently it is. I have the complete stories, but am not motivated to read it. Many people respect its influence on Fantasy.

03-26-2021, 06:54 AM	#3
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,196 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	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.

03-26-2021, 10:37 AM	#4
ekbell Guru Posts: 626 Karma: 12345678 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada Device: none	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
Pajamaman Wizard Posts: 2,856 Karma: 10700629 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Canada Device: Onyx Nova	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.

03-31-2021, 10:38 AM	#9
DiapDealer Grand Sorcerer Posts: 28,341 Karma: 203719646 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD	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.

04-01-2021, 02:10 AM	#13
Gandulf Addict Posts: 210 Karma: 4491791 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: South Africa Device: Kindle PW4	I guess I will have to get a book or 2 and see for myself.

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