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[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

"An Age undreamed of" The Works of Robert E. Howard

Brief Wiki Bio

Robert Ervin Howard (January 22, 1906 – June 11, 1936) was an American author who wrote pulp fiction in a diverse range of genres. He is probably best known for his character Conan the Barbarian and is regarded as the father of the sword and sorcery subgenre.

Howard was born and raised in the state of Texas. He spent most of his life in the town of Cross Plains with some time spent in nearby Brownwood. A bookish and intellectual child, he was also a fan of boxing and spent some time in his late teens bodybuilding, eventually taking up amateur boxing himself. From the age of nine he dreamed of becoming a writer of adventure fiction but did not have real success until he was twenty-three. Thereafter, until his death at the age of thirty by suicide, Howard's writings were published in a wide selection of magazines, journals, and newspapers, and he had became successful in several genres. Although a Conan novel was nearly published into a book in 1934, his stories never appeared in book form during his lifetime. The main outlet for his stories was in the pulp magazine Weird Tales.

Howard’s suicide and the circumstances surrounding it have led to varied speculation about his mental health; from an Oedipus complex, to clinical depression, to no mental disorders of any kind. His mother had been ill with tuberculosis his entire life; upon learning that she had entered a coma from which she was not expected to wake, he, for reasons that are not clear, walked out to his car and shot himself in the head.

Howard created Conan the Barbarian, in the pages of the Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales, a character whose pop-culture imprint has been compared to such icons as Tarzan, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond. With Conan and his other heroes, Howard created the genre now known as sword and sorcery, spawning a wide swath of imitators and giving him an influence in the fantasy field rivaled only by J. R. R. Tolkien and Tolkien's similarly inspired creation of high fantasy. Howard remains a highly read author, with his best works endlessly reprinted. He has been compared to other American masters of the weird, gloomy and spectral, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville, and Jack London.

What did Robert E. Howard write?
LOTS, even what could be considered spank material for the day, the "spicy adventure". Howard was actually rather successful commercially and financially in the year of his death earning what today would be 34K in today money and was owed another 14 to 22K. This was in stark contrast to HP Lovecraft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_E._Howard_bibliography

What editions should I look for?
Well any access is better than no access, but for years Robert E. Howard's works were often "edited" and "co-authored" by many different people for various reasons (including trying to put the Conan stories "in order'. It wasn't until the 1980s that Howard's original works became widely available. All of the stories are in the public domain, so you can get copies for free if you want. In my opinion some of the nicer ones (and still only around 12 bucks for kindle) is the Del Ray editions.
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/sea...ub_date=&format=--All--&submit.x=0&submit.y=0
BUT, keep in mind that these collections do not have all stories....including the"porn...err spicy adventures genre", but also his boxing and detective work, among many others, so use the bibliography as a starting guide.

There are also lots of audio book editions, with the ones based on the Del Ray version being rather nice imo, but lots to choose from, and the Del Rays only cover certain books so there is lots of variety available, but no end all definitive source.


Wasn't Howard and Lovecraft good friends?
Yes, they often (very often) exchanged letters and Lovecraft was horribly devastated when he received a letter (which can be found on the internet) from Howard's father telling Lovecraft the Robert had shot himself. A collection of their letters is available now for 55. bucks from Amazon and is around 1000 pages in two volumes. There is even a like new copy for 35 bucks...don't buy that I want it. lol
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984480293/?tag=neogaf0e-20

So I assume Robert E. Howard was an enlightened non-racist author vs others of the time?
Yeah....about that...umm...well he became less of racist as he got older!

 

[Vagabundo]

I have this:

I love the pulpy Conan stories, sexist and racist warts and all.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

I have this:

I love the pulpy Conan stories, sexist and racist warts and all.

I do too, it's the same way with Lovecraft and his writing.

 

[Dyno]

One of my favourite all-time authors. Conan remains unique and authentic still. If you want to read about the author himself in great detail his biography is dry but complete. What is fascinating about Howard is that he did all of this alone. There was a reason why his pen-pal relationship with Lovecraft is always mentioned. Howard was from Cross Plains, Texas. There wasn't an author of fantasy or science fiction for a thousand miles in any direction. The man mostly worked in a vacuum and he created a genre. It's astounding.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/089366247X/?tag=neogaf0e-20

To even mention racism in the writing is to cloud the issue. Conan and Howard are never overtly racist, rather both display the prejudices of their eras. To be a man of the North and to be one of the only men to travel the width of the entire world is to be put in exotic and unusual situations. Sure Conan was put off some times, or gave too much thought to superstition and wild stories, but it was apart of what made him realistic. Also, Conan was the first to see past those things once he experienced them first-hand and he made fast friends with heroes from all the races. His best friend and equal was Juma the Kushite. One of the sub-texts of Conan is a man born into a racist world but in time he learns that experience and reason dispel all of those notions.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

]
One of my favourite all-time authors. Conan remains unique and authentic still. If you want to read about the author himself in great detail his biography is dry but complete. What is fascinating about Howard is that he did all of this alone. There was a reason why his pen-pal relationship with Lovecraft is always mentioned. Howard was from Cross Plains, Texas. There wasn't an author of fantasy or science fiction for a thousand miles in any direction. The man mostly worked in a vacuum and he created a genre. It's astounding.

That's very true, but Howard was really well read, so I think that helped a lot, but I agree the fact he did pretty much create a genre out of nothing is amazing.

]
To even mention racism in the writing is to cloud the issue. Conan and Howard are never overtly racist, rather both display the prejudices of their eras. To be a man of the North and to be one of the only men to travel the width of the entire world is to be put in exotic and unusual situations. Sure Conan was put off some times, or gave too much thought to superstition and wild stories, but it was apart of what made him realistic. Also, Conan was the first to see past those things once he experienced them first-hand and he made fast friends with heroes from all the races. His best friend and equal was Juma the Kushite. One of the sub-texts of Conan is a man born into a racist world but in time he learns that experience and reason dispel all of those notions.

Yeah, but, that isn't always true of the Non-Conan stories. It's more of a general heads up or if listening to the audio book at work or in a public area, headphones may not be a bad idea.

 

[The Take Out Bandit]

Solomon Kane needs more love.

Read the complete Kane stories last year and I love the foundation of the character, his awareness of the contradictory nature of his beliefs versus his actions, and the wonderful supernatural elements.

Things just happen because that's the way the world works. There's no explaining away the horrible monstrosities in the world of Kane.

Plus the movie finally got picked up for a US release later this year. <3

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Solomon Kane needs more love.

Read the complete Kane stories last year and I love the foundation of the character, his awareness of the contradictory nature of his beliefs versus his actions, and the wonderful supernatural elements.

Things just happen because that's the way the world works. There's no explaining away the horrible monstrosities in the world of Kane.

I really want to, I just haven't had the free time. I love the idea behind the character and just the general concept. I just have no time. Perhaps I should just get the Tantor Media audiobook from audible, it is my Birthday today.

Plus the movie finally got picked up for a US release later this year. <3

I keep forgetting that even exists. I think I confuse it with Jonah Hex for some reason.

 

[hiryu]

I love Conan and Howard. If you are a fan of his work then you should read this:

Lamb had a huge influence on Howard's work I believe.

 

[The Horror the horror]

My second favorite fantasy/sword-and-sorcery author next to the late David Gemmell. I've picked up all three of the Conan story collections from Penguin, and they are nothing short of amazing.

HP Lovecraft's influence on REH's prose is apparent, and makes sense since they were good friends and colleagues. I'm a big fan of their writing style (some call it flowery and others refer to it as pseudo Victorian), but I have yet to see a pair of writers outside of Poe with such succulent wordplay.

 

[bengraven]

BTW, these? Are pure nerd porn.

Complete editions with unfinished stories, original drafts, and new illustrations by fantastic comic artists.

(I have the first two here)

 

[Shao Kahn Going Shopping]

That's very true, but Howard was really well read, so I think that helped a lot, but I agree the fact he did pretty much create a genre out of nothing is amazing.

I just realized the parallel between this and ICP. Yikes!

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

BTW, these? Are pure nerd porn.

Complete editions with unfinished stories, original drafts, and new illustrations by fantastic comic artists.

Yep, those are the editions I was talking about in the OP. Very nicely done and very nicely priced to. The audiobooks are well read and make a nice companion item.

 

[bengraven]

Solomon Kane needs more love.

Read the complete Kane stories last year and I love the foundation of the character, his awareness of the contradictory nature of his beliefs versus his actions, and the wonderful supernatural elements.

Things just happen because that's the way the world works. There's no explaining away the horrible monstrosities in the world of Kane.

Plus the movie finally got picked up for a US release later this year. <3

I can't agree with you more on this.

Such a great character, such great settings, unnerving but oddly soothing gothic atmosphere where knives can appear in the darkness above you as you sleep. Great character.

Yep, those are the editions I was talking about in the OP. Very nicely done and very nicely priced to. The audiobooks are well read and make a nice companion item.

And they look gorgeous next to each other. I need to collect them all. Next up for me are the final two Conan books and these:

Not sure which one has his western stories, though. I have the Kindle edition of his westerns, but I'd like to have them in these editions.

 

[bengraven]

One of my favourite all-time authors. Conan remains unique and authentic still. If you want to read about the author himself in great detail his biography is dry but complete. What is fascinating about Howard is that he did all of this alone. There was a reason why his pen-pal relationship with Lovecraft is always mentioned. Howard was from Cross Plains, Texas. There wasn't an author of fantasy or science fiction for a thousand miles in any direction. The man mostly worked in a vacuum and he created a genre. It's astounding.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/089366247X/?tag=neogaf0e-20

To even mention racism in the writing is to cloud the issue. Conan and Howard are never overtly racist, rather both display the prejudices of their eras. To be a man of the North and to be one of the only men to travel the width of the entire world is to be put in exotic and unusual situations. Sure Conan was put off some times, or gave too much thought to superstition and wild stories, but it was apart of what made him realistic. Also, Conan was the first to see past those things once he experienced them first-hand and he made fast friends with heroes from all the races. His best friend and equal was Juma the Kushite. One of the sub-texts of Conan is a man born into a racist world but in time he learns that experience and reason dispel all of those notions.

Lovecraft was certainly one for wearing his racism on his sleeve though. He wrote long letters on the benefits of eugenics and peppered his mythos with villainous, animalistic black folk.

Howard was more of a sign of the times, though there was very little overt racism in the majority of his works. Which isn't to say it didn't exist; like Lovecraft he had his fair share of "ape-like black men", unlike Lovecraft it just was rarely enough to overcome the story itself.

And hey, Solomon Kane had "one black friend".

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Lovecraft was certainly one for wearing his racism on his sleeve though. He wrote long letters on the benefits of eugenics and peppered his mythos with villainous, animalistic black folk.

Howard was more of a sign of the times, though there was very little overt racism in the majority of his works. Which isn't to say it didn't exist; like Lovecraft he had his fair share of "ape-like black men", unlike Lovecraft it just was rarely enough to overcome the story itself.

And hey, Solomon Kane had "one black friend".

I like the explanation given by De Camp that with Lovecraft's racism (in letters) being done as potentially wanting to get a rise out of people, in short trolling.

From what I understand Howard, like Lovecraft modified his views later in life.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

3 Audible Credits...time to get some Solomon Kane and maybe his horror work. I love Audible, I just wish I had more time to listen to things. lol

 

[The Horror the horror]

Any favorite Conan stories among you curs?

Mine would have to be Queen of the Black Coast. Very haunting and memorable, especially the closing poem.

 

[bengraven]

I like the explanation given by De Camp that with Lovecraft's racism (in letters) being done as potentially wanting to get a rise out of people, in short trolling.

From what I understand Howard, like Lovecraft modified his views later in life.

I'm only going by the odd essay/literary criticism/wiki note which seem to point to Lovecraft truly having an issue with other races and pride in his own race.

But yeah, Howard tamed himself later on most definitely.

3 Audible Credits...time to get some Solomon Kane and maybe his horror work. I love Audible, I just wish I had more time to listen to things. lol

Man, with the right actor SK would be amazing in audio form.

There was this brilliant job done with Lovecraft I heard years ago (playing in the background of a Minecraft livestream lol) and the actor's deep baritone would be perfect for reading SK's tales.

Any favorite Conan stories among you curs?

Mine would have to be Queen of the Black Coast. Very haunting and memorable, especially the closing poem.

That's my favorite as well. I do like the God in the Bowl, though I saw the "twist" coming a mile away (like, when I read the title and saw the illustration accompanying it), and I re-read that a few times a year. Also, the Scarlet Citadel.

Then again, I haven't read all the Conan stories yet, just the ones in the first edition "The Coming of Conan" and a few random stories that were adapted into Conan comics back in the early 80s (which have become a blur, though I know I read a fantastic black and white rendition of Red Nails).

 

[The Horror the horror]

That's my favorite as well. I do like the God in the Bowl, though I saw the "twist" coming a mile away (like, when I read the title and saw the illustration accompanying it), and I re-read that a few times a year. Also, the Scarlet Citadel.

Then again, I haven't read all the Conan stories yet, just the ones in the first edition "The Coming of Conan" and a few random stories that were adapted into Conan comics back in the early 80s (which have become a blur, though I know I read a fantastic black and white rendition of Red Nails).

"Rogues in the House" was also pretty good, especially the end when the mage prematurely boasted his victory speech. You know, it's funny how the writers of the first two Conan movies selectively picked out pieces from each of REH's short stories and sloppily combined them in a hilarious attempt to create a sound story.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

There was this brilliant job done with Lovecraft I heard years ago (playing in the background of a Minecraft livestream lol) and the actor's deep baritone would be perfect for reading SK's tales.

I think that would be the Wayne June version. The guy sounds like a bit like Lance Henrikson, but with a deeper voice. The guy has a really good voice.

I'm only going by the odd essay/literary criticism/wiki note which seem to point to Lovecraft truly having an issue with other races and pride in his own race.

No doubt, but the idea of it being self exaggerated by Lovecraft wanting to troll people is humorous.

 

[bengraven]

It still kills me the way he committed suicide. What a painful life he was living inside his mind.

I think that would be the Wayne June version. The guy sounds like a bit like Lance Henrikson, but with a deeper voice. The guy has a really good voice.


No doubt, but the idea of it being self exaggerated by Lovecraft wanting to troll people is humorous.

It may be it. I would like to listen to it completely some day.

As for his exaggeration, you're right that it fits well into Lovecraft's personality anyway. haha

"Rogues in the House" was also pretty good, especially the end when the mage prematurely boasted his victory speech. You know, it's funny how the writers of the first two Conan movies selectively picked out pieces from each of REH's short stories and sloppily combined them in a hilarious attempt to create a sound story.

If they would actually use a story as a base, say Queen or Scarlett, they could make a true to Conan story that would be perfectly epic and exciting.

Maybe do Scarlett first: you have your big epic scenes of war, magic, and scenes of weird monsters in the dungeon. Everything that makes a great Conan story, you would just have to age him down. Then do Queen next. You could be starting a "Conan Begins" reinvention of the cinema version of the Cimmerian.

 

[Sqorgar]

BTW, these? Are pure nerd porn.

Complete editions with unfinished stories, original drafts, and new illustrations by fantastic comic artists.

(I have the first two here)

I love the introductions in these books. They do an exceptional job of explaining Howard's history and why these stories, which don't get nearly the respect they deserve, are important parts of literary history. You walk away from the introductions thinking, woah! This guy must be amazing. And then you read the stories and realize he's even better.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

I love the introductions in these books. They do an exceptional job of explaining Howard's history and why these stories, which don't get nearly the respect they deserve, are important parts of literary history. You walk away from the introductions thinking, woah! This guy must be amazing. And then you read the stories and realize he's even better.

Yeah, I love them for that. It's great when just starting into the books for the first time.

It may be it. I would like to listen to it completely some day.

Here are some links to samples from each he did.
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT1-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT2-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT2-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT4-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT5-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT6-CD

I'd suggest just signing up for Audible. You get a free trial and one credit so a free book. I actually had the Horror and Conan one, but I forgot the account I used to get it. Plus I couldn't link it with my actually account I now have.

As for his exaggeration, you're right that it fits well into Lovecraft's personality anyway. haha

When I told my wife that, she jokingly suggested that's why I liked him (not the racism or content, but him exaggerating to get a rise out of people) lol

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

So people's thoughts on Conan The Barbarian and it's effect on introducing people to Robert Howard.

 

[Sqorgar]

So people's thoughts on Conan The Barbarian and it's effect on introducing people to Robert Howard.

Like the movie? Conan's popular media image is really not very much like the stories at all. In fact, it was probably a barrier to me reading Howard for the first time. I actually started reading Howard because of his connection to Lovecraft, and found out that I really enjoyed his work a bit more (it's more varied and is typically centered around recurring heroes - even the stuff like westerns or the crusades have really unique heroes).

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Like the movie? Conan's popular media image is really not very much like the stories at all. In fact, it was probably a barrier to me reading Howard for the first time. I actually started reading Howard because of his connection to Lovecraft, and found out that I really enjoyed his work a bit more (it's more varied and is typically centered around recurring heroes - even the stuff like westerns or the crusades have really unique heroes).

The same, though I do love the movie, as it has a lot of great things to recommend. I just wanted a way to move the topic. Lol for me Lovecraft and finding the Del Ray books by chance at the right time helped a lot.

 

[Deified Data]

The same, though I do love the movie, as it has a lot of great things to recommend. I just wanted a way to move the topic. Lol for me Lovecraft and finding the Del Ray books by chance at the right time helped a lot.

Same, got into Howard as an extension of Lovecraft's mythos. Interest in Howard has moved me on to the likes of Michael Moorcock's "Elric" series.

 

[bengraven]

I was just watching Conan a week ago and I have to say that for the most part it's actually fairly accurate to the world Howard created.

He calls out bits of the lore, from locations to nods at characters. Some of the magic is a bit ridiculous (snake arrow) but the rest of it is very in line with the stories of Howard, from the shape shifting to the witch woman (which reminded me a bit of a drier, warmer version of the Frost Giant's Daughter story) to the weird black magics.

The obvious issue is of course that an Austrian is playing a Cimmerian. Then again, the historic Cimmerians/Kimmerians were from Eastern Europe.

Now, for me, as a kid I watched these movies back in the early 80s. Destroyer first, which was terrible of course, but I still got into them when I wasn't watching between my fingers. But they did little to get into the world, if anything I thought the world was much smaller and less interesting based on the films. For me it was the Saga of Conan and other Marvel Conan comics that my uncle collected in the 80s. I would read these huge, magazine sized black and white books with their violence and monsters and titties and I was in love with the world. I still would love to find my uncle's collection and buy the old Conans off him.

Yeah, I love them for that. It's great when just starting into the books for the first time.


Here are some links to samples from each he did.
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT1-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT2-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT2-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT4-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT5-CD
http://www.audiorealms.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=LOVECRAFT6-CD

I'd suggest just signing up for Audible. You get a free trial and one credit so a free book. I actually had the Horror and Conan one, but I forgot the account I used to get it. Plus I couldn't link it with my actually account I now have.


When I told my wife that, she jokingly suggested that's why I liked him (not the racism or content, but him exaggerating to get a rise out of people) lol

Yep, this is the one I heard. Mucho gracias for this!

 

[KidGalactus]

Please tell me you guys have read "Challenge From Beyond".

It's kind of a jam-story that Lovecraft and Howard both contributed to. It's pretty cool because the lead character starts out as a fainty Lovecraft type, then Howard comes in at the end and makes him into a 2-fisted alien worm king.

It's kind of unbelievable.

they actually covered it on HPPodcraft a little while back:

Pt 1 http://hppodcraft.com/2012/04/11/episode-108-the-challenge-from-beyond-part-1/

Pt2 http://hppodcraft.com/2012/04/18/episode-109-the-challenge-from-beyond-part-2/

I'm a huge Lovecraft fan and would like to check Howard out because of all the interrelation. Where's a good place to start?

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

Please tell me you guys have read "Challenge From Beyond".

It's kind of a jam-story that Lovecraft and Howard both contributed to. It's pretty cool because the lead character starts out as a fainty Lovecraft type, then Howard comes in at the end and makes him into a 2-fisted alien worm king.

It's kind of unbelievable.

they actually covered it on HPPodcraft a little while back:

Pt 1 http://hppodcraft.com/2012/04/11/episode-108-the-challenge-from-beyond-part-1/

Pt2 http://hppodcraft.com/2012/04/18/episode-109-the-challenge-from-beyond-part-2/

I'm a huge Lovecraft fan and would like to check Howard out because of all the interrelation. Where's a good place to start?

Sign up for audible and grab one of the del ray audiobook versions Tantor Media did, and for free. I saw get The Coming Of Conan as it has a great intro essay. If not up for Conan, read the description and see what tickles your fancy.

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

 

[Manos: The Hans of Fate]

One of the best advance trailers of all time. I love Basil's music, but I love the use of Prokofiev for the temp track. I always wondered who cut this trailer, was it Milius himself? He clearly likes Nevsky as it popped up again in Red Dawn and he's commented on it before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGKJC22Roxs