Glad the post was able to sell you on that front! Next week, we'll be looking at a few specific stories in S&S to recommend how folks can get started reading it!
I had little knowledge of Howard going into this, but you did a fantastic job arguing for his work and writing. I've already added a collection of his Conan works to my "to read" list.
I'm curious what influenced Howard himself as a writer. Was he inspired by the Greek Myths/Epics? The Icelandic Sagas? Biblical Stories?
Awesome! You've got a bunch of great adventures ahead of you!
Howard's influences could warrant an entire series of posts; he read all things from mythology, history, epic poetry, philosophy, and religion. He most definitely would have read the core Classical texts but was also familiar with Eddic and Celtic literature. His own life experiences also had a huge influence on his stories and personal style of storytelling. "Blood and Thunder" by Mark Finn is a biography on Howard and gives time to examine what influenced his stories, can't recommend it enough as a text for learning about the man himself.
I have the first set of Conan stories you mentioned and thought it was great. You inspired me to get Howard's other collections back on my list. Really enjoyed your insights on the author and his works.
This article definitely shows how you became and are now so passionate about Howard and S&S. Hope it continues to give you joy and satisfaction as you delve farther into all its aspects.
It’s tragic Howard took his own life at such a young age--honestly the tumults he struggled with throughout his short life would provide enough content for a publication or two. It’s no doubt the frustrations and passions he felt so zealously deeply influenced his literature. He was a very talented writer. I haven’t read too much Conan but his horror stories are some of the best I have ever read.
Also I highly recommend the film “The Whole Wide World”, based on his girlfriend Novalyne Price’s own diary, that delves into their relationship. Vincent D’Onofrio plays a very convincing Howard.
I love the work that's already been done on Howard's biography ("Blood and Thunder" by Mark Finn sticks out as a great overview of his life) so I'm not sure what I myself could add, but the current crop of REH scholars are a friendly bunch to reach out to and love talking about him!
I still need to see "The Whole Wide World", there's slim pickings when it comes to adaptations of pulp authors' works and lives so it seems a staple.
Sword and sorcery may be regarded as a sub-genre, but it is no less dramatic, poetic, descriptive and engaging than mainstream fiction. I hope Howard's resurgence is at its "dawn". It certainly deserves re-examination.
There are a lot of passionate individuals researching Howard and contributing to S&S. With any luck, anyone starting out will be convinced to look into Howard's work and perpetuate his memory!
This definitely makes me want to read some of Robert E Howard's works.
Glad the post was able to sell you on that front! Next week, we'll be looking at a few specific stories in S&S to recommend how folks can get started reading it!
I had little knowledge of Howard going into this, but you did a fantastic job arguing for his work and writing. I've already added a collection of his Conan works to my "to read" list.
I'm curious what influenced Howard himself as a writer. Was he inspired by the Greek Myths/Epics? The Icelandic Sagas? Biblical Stories?
Awesome! You've got a bunch of great adventures ahead of you!
Howard's influences could warrant an entire series of posts; he read all things from mythology, history, epic poetry, philosophy, and religion. He most definitely would have read the core Classical texts but was also familiar with Eddic and Celtic literature. His own life experiences also had a huge influence on his stories and personal style of storytelling. "Blood and Thunder" by Mark Finn is a biography on Howard and gives time to examine what influenced his stories, can't recommend it enough as a text for learning about the man himself.
I have the first set of Conan stories you mentioned and thought it was great. You inspired me to get Howard's other collections back on my list. Really enjoyed your insights on the author and his works.
The other Del Rey Conan anthologies are great! But you can never go wrong with any of his other stories for sure!
Despite being a lifelong Conan fan (from the films) I’m sorry to say that I have never read a Howard story. You’ve convinced me that I need to do so.
This article definitely shows how you became and are now so passionate about Howard and S&S. Hope it continues to give you joy and satisfaction as you delve farther into all its aspects.
It’s tragic Howard took his own life at such a young age--honestly the tumults he struggled with throughout his short life would provide enough content for a publication or two. It’s no doubt the frustrations and passions he felt so zealously deeply influenced his literature. He was a very talented writer. I haven’t read too much Conan but his horror stories are some of the best I have ever read.
Also I highly recommend the film “The Whole Wide World”, based on his girlfriend Novalyne Price’s own diary, that delves into their relationship. Vincent D’Onofrio plays a very convincing Howard.
I love the work that's already been done on Howard's biography ("Blood and Thunder" by Mark Finn sticks out as a great overview of his life) so I'm not sure what I myself could add, but the current crop of REH scholars are a friendly bunch to reach out to and love talking about him!
I still need to see "The Whole Wide World", there's slim pickings when it comes to adaptations of pulp authors' works and lives so it seems a staple.
Sword and sorcery may be regarded as a sub-genre, but it is no less dramatic, poetic, descriptive and engaging than mainstream fiction. I hope Howard's resurgence is at its "dawn". It certainly deserves re-examination.
There are a lot of passionate individuals researching Howard and contributing to S&S. With any luck, anyone starting out will be convinced to look into Howard's work and perpetuate his memory!