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The Dark Storm Conan Chronology #5
God in the Bowl
19 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
About the author
Robert E. Howard
3,055 books2,696 followersRobert Ervin Howard was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. Howard wrote "over three-hundred stories and seven-hundred poems of raw power and unbridled emotion" and is especially noted for his memorable depictions of "a sombre universe of swashbuckling adventure and darkling horror."
He is well known for having created—in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales—the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond.
—Wikipedia
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
He is well known for having created—in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales—the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond.
—Wikipedia
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 24, 2021
A whodunnit. Kallian Publico, a museum owner is found dead outside his temple by the watchman. Conan, who is in the vicinity (actually he was there to steal an artefact) is accused of the murder. But Conan the Cimmerian keeps the cops, the watchman and other middleclass pussies at bay , threatening them with a swing of his sword. It is all very intriguing and suspenseful.
The action moves into the museum after it is revealed that Kallian Publico was curious about a sacrophagus from an ancient Stygian tomb that had come into his care. Kallian wanted to check it out for himself. It turns out everyone is a coward except for Conan, who is the only man who has the guts to take on whatever otherwordly being came out of the sacrophagus.
The climax might have been used as a thrill by John Milius in the Conan the Barbarian movie. Once again, terrific imagination from Robert. E. Howard. The ending, where the nature of the being that came out of the sacrophagus is revealed, was simply perfect. Not overtly descriptive. Howard simply lays it on us and ends it.
The action moves into the museum after it is revealed that Kallian Publico was curious about a sacrophagus from an ancient Stygian tomb that had come into his care. Kallian wanted to check it out for himself. It turns out everyone is a coward except for Conan, who is the only man who has the guts to take on whatever otherwordly being came out of the sacrophagus.
The climax might have been used as a thrill by John Milius in the Conan the Barbarian movie. Once again, terrific imagination from Robert. E. Howard. The ending, where the nature of the being that came out of the sacrophagus is revealed, was simply perfect. Not overtly descriptive. Howard simply lays it on us and ends it.
April 18, 2021
Relato policial en el que Conan se ve envuelto en el asesinato de un gran comerciante, siendo él el principal sospechoso. El final me ha sorprendido bastante, contrastando con el tono de la primera parte del relato (similar a cualquier historia en la que se investiga un crimen).
December 21, 2022
Conan's thieving days.
November 2, 2019
Conan plies his trade as a thief in the city of Numalia. He is caught while attempting to steal a valuable object from a museum and becomes the suspect in the death of the museum's owner.
It's a taste of bloody Conan action with a detective fiction twist. The story primarily takes place over a long interrogation scene that's surprisingly well-crafted for an early fantasy tale. The twist at the end was certainly neat, but it was very rushed and could've had more build-up. It was nice to see the unshakable barbarian get a taste of fear.
It's a taste of bloody Conan action with a detective fiction twist. The story primarily takes place over a long interrogation scene that's surprisingly well-crafted for an early fantasy tale. The twist at the end was certainly neat, but it was very rushed and could've had more build-up. It was nice to see the unshakable barbarian get a taste of fear.
November 11, 2024
It's a pretty weak locked-room murder mystery. I don't really buy that these guys would walk around with Conan and try to solve the investigation. And then the investigation really goes nowhere, it's like REH had some cool ideas but didn't quite know how to show them off.
But it allows REH to show us Conan vs civilization's attitudes and morals plus we get a lot of interesting lore around Stygia and Hyborian religions.
Comics:
Both comics adaptations are pretty dull (Marvel Conan the Barbarian 7 and Darkhorse Conan 10-11) because this is not a very action packed story, it's definitely better in prose.
But it allows REH to show us Conan vs civilization's attitudes and morals plus we get a lot of interesting lore around Stygia and Hyborian religions.
Comics:
Both comics adaptations are pretty dull (Marvel Conan the Barbarian 7 and Darkhorse Conan 10-11) because this is not a very action packed story, it's definitely better in prose.
January 25, 2019
Buddy read with my old fashion sci/fi family WBM. No romance here. No siree. Not gonna find it! Right, Sarah?
hmmmm. Not as good a the previous short stories, but still entertaining. A bit of blood and some flesh wounds. And no naked ladies! whew!
June 29, 2025
Eye read 2025
7/10 good for a short story, wish it had more to it.
Conan is ensnared in a murder mystery, but don’t worry he gets to go all out barbarian in this one too :) but will he be the same after.
7/10 good for a short story, wish it had more to it.
Conan is ensnared in a murder mystery, but don’t worry he gets to go all out barbarian in this one too :) but will he be the same after.
March 30, 2018
A Conan story in which the strong, mostly silent cypher finds himself subject to the scrutiny of the nearest thing to a detective in the Hyperborian realm, with a denouement that adds sorcery to sword. Standard stuff, neither good nor bad, only published in full (1975) long after Howard's death.
November 29, 2025
Probably my favourite story so far, a murder mystery cum haunted house drama in which are favourite barbarian is little more than a bit player. It gets wonderfully suspenseful at the end, you can see why Lovecraft admired him so much and this story has the additional benefit of not having its unspeakable twist spoiled by decades of cultural osmosis.
January 11, 2026
A quite enjoyable whodunnit.
April 19, 2021
Conan fucking those dudes up is cool but the shocking twist is pretty marginal in its shockingness.
August 31, 2025
I think this is one of the best short Conan stories. It is a kind of "murder mystery" story of Conan, in which he might not even be the main character. In this moody and mysterious Conan tale, the barbarian finds himself entangled in a murder investigation at a temple-like museum in the city of Numalia. The story unfolds as Conan is questioned by city authorities, revealing layers of intrigue and hidden motives. The setting is eerie and atmospheric, with ancient relics and a sense of something supernatural lurking beneath the surface. As tensions rise, Conan’s instincts and defiance come into play against the backdrop of political and mystical forces, and it ends with a very good surprise.
“God in the Bowl” is a compelling blend of mystery and fantasy that showcases Robert E. Howard’s versatility as a storyteller. The tale stands out for its noir-like atmosphere and slow-burning tension, offering a different flavour from the usual action-heavy Conan stories. Howard’s writing is sharp and evocative, drawing readers into a world where ancient powers and human ambition collide. Conan’s character is portrayed with depth, showing not just his strength but his cunning and defiance. It’s a short but memorable story that rewards careful reading and leaves a lasting impression.
“God in the Bowl” is a compelling blend of mystery and fantasy that showcases Robert E. Howard’s versatility as a storyteller. The tale stands out for its noir-like atmosphere and slow-burning tension, offering a different flavour from the usual action-heavy Conan stories. Howard’s writing is sharp and evocative, drawing readers into a world where ancient powers and human ambition collide. Conan’s character is portrayed with depth, showing not just his strength but his cunning and defiance. It’s a short but memorable story that rewards careful reading and leaves a lasting impression.
May 28, 2024
«Бог из чаши» Практически детективный рассказ с убийством и расследованием, со своими следователями, подозреваемыми и страшными тайнами. Представьте себе рассказ написанный Агатой Кристи, только переработанный Говардом под фэнтэзи. Есть труп зажиточного аристократа и есть попавшийся на месте преступления человек, им оказался Конан и есть инквизиторы, которые сразу решают распутать это дело.
В этом рассказе Конан продолжает карьеру вора и неудачно забирается в дом, в котором произошло странное убийство, вызванная стражей инквизиция сразу же подозревает Конана. Но постепенно исследуя дом они натыкаются на древний артефакт со следами присутствия в нем древней силы, вырвавшейся наружу.
Впервые слышу, что бога Сета, представляли в виде змеи, но, возможно, так оно и было. Древнее зло из чаши оказывается змеей с человеческим лицом. Меч Конана проложит себе путь сквозь инквизиторов и отправит на тот свет и странного бога, будь он Сетом или кем-то еще.
В этом рассказе Конан продолжает карьеру вора и неудачно забирается в дом, в котором произошло странное убийство, вызванная стражей инквизиция сразу же подозревает Конана. Но постепенно исследуя дом они натыкаются на древний артефакт со следами присутствия в нем древней силы, вырвавшейся наружу.
Впервые слышу, что бога Сета, представляли в виде змеи, но, возможно, так оно и было. Древнее зло из чаши оказывается змеей с человеческим лицом. Меч Конана проложит себе путь сквозь инквизиторов и отправит на тот свет и странного бога, будь он Сетом или кем-то еще.
January 24, 2025
This is a "Who done it..." with a supernatural twist.
This is a guilty pleasure of mine. This story is very light on action, but heavy on character work. I just like so many of the side characters here. Demetrio, Prospero (Who really knows a lot about far off wizard feuds for being a humble clerk), Arus, ect.
The ending is kind of weak, but much like 'Tower of the Elephant' the lore that it adds to this world is so entertaining and engaging. There is a reason that Thoth-Amon goes on to be a major player in the mythos of Conan even though, here for example, he doesn't show up, Conan just gets mixed up in a plot of his.
This is a guilty pleasure of mine. This story is very light on action, but heavy on character work. I just like so many of the side characters here. Demetrio, Prospero (Who really knows a lot about far off wizard feuds for being a humble clerk), Arus, ect.
The ending is kind of weak, but much like 'Tower of the Elephant' the lore that it adds to this world is so entertaining and engaging. There is a reason that Thoth-Amon goes on to be a major player in the mythos of Conan even though, here for example, he doesn't show up, Conan just gets mixed up in a plot of his.
May 15, 2026
Chuck Dixon says to make a Conan story you need a story first, and then throw Conan into aforementioned story. So here's a murder mystery where Conan stumbles upon a Guard finding a dead body in a temple he was stealing from. Conan is then accused of the murder and witnesses an investigation of the scene with him at standoff.
This story is told mostly from the police perspective as they quarrel amongst themselves on whether to just pinning the blame on Conan or unravel the mystery before them as to not be troubled with having to subdue the mighty Cimmerian. Caught between an unknown eldritch horror and a known force of nature our protagonists conduct thier investigation.
10/10
This story is told mostly from the police perspective as they quarrel amongst themselves on whether to just pinning the blame on Conan or unravel the mystery before them as to not be troubled with having to subdue the mighty Cimmerian. Caught between an unknown eldritch horror and a known force of nature our protagonists conduct thier investigation.
10/10
January 26, 2023
Este relato demuestra la capacidad de Howard para tocar multitud de géneros a través de Conan. Aquí tenemos un relato de corte detectivesco en el que el cimmerio se ve envuelto en la inexplicable investigación sobre un asesinato. Es muy refrescante leer una historia de este corte ambientada en un contexto de espada y brujería. Una lectura muy divertida y en la que no falta el girito divino / sobrenatural tan característico del autor.
March 19, 2024
El segundo relato que me leo de Conan. Según la cronología de una de las páginas de Wikipedia en castellano, este es el segundo relato publicado. Goodreads dice que el quinto según nosequé. Os odio a todos.
Ni de lejos me ha gustado tanto como el primero. No tiene la maravillosa ambientación que me suliveyó en el anterior. Por otra parte reconozco su originalidad: las tres unidades aristotélicas de acción, tiempo y lugar para darle una vueltecita a las historias de detectives.
Ni de lejos me ha gustado tanto como el primero. No tiene la maravillosa ambientación que me suliveyó en el anterior. Por otra parte reconozco su originalidad: las tres unidades aristotélicas de acción, tiempo y lugar para darle una vueltecita a las historias de detectives.
August 20, 2024
Although its a very early Swords and Sorcery, the premise if still awkward and the execution mid-grade. Worth studying for its historic value, but not as memorable as some other short stories I've read.
June 27, 2018
Nice short story
September 6, 2020
This short story helps you biggin to understand the barbarian code. Conan had a moral code, and keeps his word, but if you cross him, death will be yours and he will show no mercy.
October 29, 2020
Just a good old fashion murder and mayhem mystery story in Cimmerian fashion from the great Robert E. Howard.
December 1, 2020
It's why you always look before you flush.
May 23, 2021
A convergence narrative, putting our Cimmerian as a suspected murderer at the scene of a little whodunnit. But don’t worry, heads get lopped.
October 15, 2022
The mystery here wasn't the best, but what saved it is well... Conan's barbarism and flashes of violence. Overall an entertaining and quick read.
April 30, 2023
Robert E. Howard definitely wants to fuck Conan, right?
May 16, 2023
Nie jestem wielkim fanem Konana, ale to opowiadanie czytało się całkiem dobrze
August 7, 2023
My first Conan story (despite what Goodreads would have you believe) and I absolutely loved it. It's kind of like a fantasy version of the adventure of the speckled band.
November 7, 2023
An unusual Conan story about a murder investigation. It contains the, this instead usual, mystery and ancient evil that should not be awaken, but it is otherwise different than other Conan tales.
January 20, 2025
A nice little murder mystery that did well to flesh out the lore and world on Hyperborea. And as always, a bit of myth made manifest.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews