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Conan the Barbarian
Conan the Swordsman
BOOK SHOWS TWO DIFFERENT ISBNS
274 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1978
40 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
L. Sprague de Camp
757 books313 followersLyon Sprague de Camp was an American author of science fiction, fantasy and non-fiction literature. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, both novels and works of non-fiction, including biographies of other fantasy authors. He was a major figure in science fiction in the 1930s and 1940s.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 14, 2021
This was the first of six (seven if you count the film adaptation) volumes in a series of Conan books that Bantam published as a follow-up to the Lancer (later Ace) twelve volume series that de Camp packaged in the 1960's- '70's. (Following his seven-volume series from Gnome Press from the 1950's, and, of course, all built on the originals by Robert E. Howard from pulp Weird Tales magazine.) There is no original fiction content from Howard here, but his influence is obvious, and you can hear his voice if you squint. (Yeah, I know, but just go with it.) The book contains seven stories by de Camp in collaboration with Bjorn Nyberg (twice) and Lin Carter (for the other five), as well as uncredited contribution from his wife, Catherine de Camp. It's fan fiction in the truest sense of the phrase, but I thought it was very well done for the most part. The last seventy pages of the book is a listing of the names used in the Conan stories, and it's a useful and handy reference. Remember this was compiled in pre-computer times, so it involved hundreds and hundreds of hours spent writing on index cards; a true labor of love! Anyone who can enjoy a Bond story not written by Fleming or a non-Doyle Holmes should give a de Camp a chance.
August 1, 2025
If you are not familiar with Conan, but interested in the “sword and sorcery” genre, this is the book to read. You will see Conan in all his glory at different periods of his life.
Author, de Camp, writes a historical and insightful introduction to these stories that I am going to quote from, liberally.
"How would you like to go to a world where men are mighty, women are beautiful, problems are simple, and life is adventurous? Where gleaming cities raise their shining spires against the stars; sorcerers cast sinister spells from subterranean lairs; baleful spirits stalk crumbling ruins of hoary antiquity; primeval monsters crash through jungle thickets; and the fate of kingdoms is balanced on the bloody blades of broadswords brandished by heroes of preternatural might and valor? And where nobody so much as mentions the income tax or the school-dropout problem or atmospheric pollution? This is the world of heroic fantasy, or, as some prefer to call it, swordplay-and-sorcery fiction. We apply the name “heroic fantasy” to stories laid in an imaginary, pre-industrial world — in the remote past, the remote future, another planet, or another dimension — where magic works, machinery has not been invented, and gods, demons, and other supernatural beings are real and portentous presences. Fiction of this genre is pure entertainment. It is not intended to solve current social and economic problems; it has nothing to say about the faults of the foreign-aid program, or the woes of disadvantaged ethnics, or socialized medicine, or inflation. It is escape fiction of the purest kind, in which the reader escapes clear out of the real world. And why not? As J. R. R. Tolkien once said, a man in prison is not required to think of nothing but bars and cells and jailers. The stories in this saga feature one of the most popular characters of heroic fantasy ever invented. This is Conan the Cimmerian, the gigantic, invincible, swashbuckling prehistoric adventurer. Conan was conceived in 1932 by Robert Ervin Howard (1906–36) of Cross Plains, Texas."
"We have tried to copy Howard’s style and type of plotting. How successful we have been in this endeavor, the reader must judge." Both Carter and de Camp succeed. This is an easy book to begin or extend your acquaintance with Conan of Cimmeria. However, there has been a great deal of world-building and this book also provides the necessary insights into what Howard called, “The Hyborian Age.”
"As a stage for Conan to stride across, Howard devised a Hyborian Age, about twelve thousand years ago, between the sinking of Atlantis and the beginnings of recorded history. This period, Howard supposed, was one in which magic was rife and supernatural beings walked the earth. The records of this civilization were lost, save for myths and legends, as a result of barbarian invasions and natural catastrophes. Howard worked out a detailed fictional “history” of this Hyborian Age, covering several thousand years. In the midst of this time, Conan lived, loved, wandered, and battled his way to kingship. Howard made it plain that this pseudo-history was invented for storytelling purposes and was not to be considered a serious theory of human prehistory."
This collection is full of what you would want in an S&S fantasy collection.
Great action descriptions:
"Scaling the wall had been neither easier nor harder than Conan had guessed. A rain spout, curved like the mouth of a vomiting dragon, caught and held the noose of his rope on the fifteenth or sixteenth try. The rope, knotted at intervals for better purchase, neither slipped nor broke beneath his weight. When he had ascended to the level of the slit, Conan locked his legs about the rope and rocked back and forth, like a child on a swing. By throwing his weight from one side to the other, he increased the dimensions of the arc. It was slow going; but at last, at the end of a swing to the right, he came within reach of the slit. The next time he swung, he shot out a hand and grasped the masonry. Still holding the rope in his free hand, he thrust a booted foot into the opening and followed it with the other. Slowly and carefully he shifted his weight until he was sitting on the sill of the arrow slit with his legs inside. He still grasped the rope with his left hand, for it occurred to him that, if he released it, his lifeline would fall away and hang out of reach when he would have need of it for a hasty departure. The slit was too narrow for Conan to pass through in his present position. Already his lean hips were wedged into the opening, the sides of which were angled outward to give the defender a wider field of arrow shot. So, turning sideways, he wriggled his hips and midsection through the aperture. But when his arms and chest reached the narrow opening, his woolen tunic, bunched up beneath his armpits, arrested further progress. Would he not look an utter fool, he thought, if the Witchmen came upon him wedged in the arrow slit? He had visions of being caught forever in this stony vise. Even if undiscovered, he would perish of hunger and thirst and make good food for the ravens. Gathering courage, he decided that by expelling all the breath from his lungs, he might just slip through. He took several deep breaths, as if preparing to swim under water, exhaled, and pushed ahead until his thrashing feet found a firm surface to stand on. Turning his head, he wormed it through the inner edges of the slit and collapsed on a rough wooden floor. In his excitement he had released the rope, which started to snake through the slit. He caught it just before it slipped away."
Terror and sorcery nicely blended:
"In a corridor intermittently lit by torches set in brackets, Conan found his prey at last — two of them, in fact. They were guarding a cell and, from the look of them, he knew the old stories were true. He had seen Cimmerians and Gundermen and Aquilonians and Æsir and Vanir, but never before had he set eyes upon a Hyperborean at close quarters, and the sight chilled the blood in his veins. Like devils from some lightless hell they seemed, long-jawed faces white as fungi, pale and soulless amber eyes, and hair of colorless flax. Their gaunt bodies were clad all in black, save that the red mark of Haloga was embroidered on their bony chests. It seemed to Conan’s fancy that the marks were bloody tokens of hearts that had been torn from their breasts, leaving naught but a grisly stain behind. The superstitious youth almost believed the ancient legends that these men were mere cadavers, animated by demons from the depths of some black hell."
An excellent introduction to both Conan and the genre by two of its best authors.
Bonus quotes:
"“You’re more of a sorcerer than you care to own,” growled Conan.
“What were those spooks?” “Elemental spirits, trapped by a powerful spell on this material plane. In darkness they obey me, but they cannot endure the light of day. I won the casket from a magician of Luxur in Stygia.” He shrugged. “The stars foretold that I should win the game.” “Seems like cheating to me,” said Conan.
“Ah, but he tried to cheat me, too, by enchanting the dice.”
“Well,” said Conan, “I’ve gambled away more gold and silver than most men see in a lifetime; but Mitra save me from being lured by a wizard into a game of chance!”"
Author, de Camp, writes a historical and insightful introduction to these stories that I am going to quote from, liberally.
"How would you like to go to a world where men are mighty, women are beautiful, problems are simple, and life is adventurous? Where gleaming cities raise their shining spires against the stars; sorcerers cast sinister spells from subterranean lairs; baleful spirits stalk crumbling ruins of hoary antiquity; primeval monsters crash through jungle thickets; and the fate of kingdoms is balanced on the bloody blades of broadswords brandished by heroes of preternatural might and valor? And where nobody so much as mentions the income tax or the school-dropout problem or atmospheric pollution? This is the world of heroic fantasy, or, as some prefer to call it, swordplay-and-sorcery fiction. We apply the name “heroic fantasy” to stories laid in an imaginary, pre-industrial world — in the remote past, the remote future, another planet, or another dimension — where magic works, machinery has not been invented, and gods, demons, and other supernatural beings are real and portentous presences. Fiction of this genre is pure entertainment. It is not intended to solve current social and economic problems; it has nothing to say about the faults of the foreign-aid program, or the woes of disadvantaged ethnics, or socialized medicine, or inflation. It is escape fiction of the purest kind, in which the reader escapes clear out of the real world. And why not? As J. R. R. Tolkien once said, a man in prison is not required to think of nothing but bars and cells and jailers. The stories in this saga feature one of the most popular characters of heroic fantasy ever invented. This is Conan the Cimmerian, the gigantic, invincible, swashbuckling prehistoric adventurer. Conan was conceived in 1932 by Robert Ervin Howard (1906–36) of Cross Plains, Texas."
"We have tried to copy Howard’s style and type of plotting. How successful we have been in this endeavor, the reader must judge." Both Carter and de Camp succeed. This is an easy book to begin or extend your acquaintance with Conan of Cimmeria. However, there has been a great deal of world-building and this book also provides the necessary insights into what Howard called, “The Hyborian Age.”
"As a stage for Conan to stride across, Howard devised a Hyborian Age, about twelve thousand years ago, between the sinking of Atlantis and the beginnings of recorded history. This period, Howard supposed, was one in which magic was rife and supernatural beings walked the earth. The records of this civilization were lost, save for myths and legends, as a result of barbarian invasions and natural catastrophes. Howard worked out a detailed fictional “history” of this Hyborian Age, covering several thousand years. In the midst of this time, Conan lived, loved, wandered, and battled his way to kingship. Howard made it plain that this pseudo-history was invented for storytelling purposes and was not to be considered a serious theory of human prehistory."
This collection is full of what you would want in an S&S fantasy collection.
Great action descriptions:
"Scaling the wall had been neither easier nor harder than Conan had guessed. A rain spout, curved like the mouth of a vomiting dragon, caught and held the noose of his rope on the fifteenth or sixteenth try. The rope, knotted at intervals for better purchase, neither slipped nor broke beneath his weight. When he had ascended to the level of the slit, Conan locked his legs about the rope and rocked back and forth, like a child on a swing. By throwing his weight from one side to the other, he increased the dimensions of the arc. It was slow going; but at last, at the end of a swing to the right, he came within reach of the slit. The next time he swung, he shot out a hand and grasped the masonry. Still holding the rope in his free hand, he thrust a booted foot into the opening and followed it with the other. Slowly and carefully he shifted his weight until he was sitting on the sill of the arrow slit with his legs inside. He still grasped the rope with his left hand, for it occurred to him that, if he released it, his lifeline would fall away and hang out of reach when he would have need of it for a hasty departure. The slit was too narrow for Conan to pass through in his present position. Already his lean hips were wedged into the opening, the sides of which were angled outward to give the defender a wider field of arrow shot. So, turning sideways, he wriggled his hips and midsection through the aperture. But when his arms and chest reached the narrow opening, his woolen tunic, bunched up beneath his armpits, arrested further progress. Would he not look an utter fool, he thought, if the Witchmen came upon him wedged in the arrow slit? He had visions of being caught forever in this stony vise. Even if undiscovered, he would perish of hunger and thirst and make good food for the ravens. Gathering courage, he decided that by expelling all the breath from his lungs, he might just slip through. He took several deep breaths, as if preparing to swim under water, exhaled, and pushed ahead until his thrashing feet found a firm surface to stand on. Turning his head, he wormed it through the inner edges of the slit and collapsed on a rough wooden floor. In his excitement he had released the rope, which started to snake through the slit. He caught it just before it slipped away."
Terror and sorcery nicely blended:
"In a corridor intermittently lit by torches set in brackets, Conan found his prey at last — two of them, in fact. They were guarding a cell and, from the look of them, he knew the old stories were true. He had seen Cimmerians and Gundermen and Aquilonians and Æsir and Vanir, but never before had he set eyes upon a Hyperborean at close quarters, and the sight chilled the blood in his veins. Like devils from some lightless hell they seemed, long-jawed faces white as fungi, pale and soulless amber eyes, and hair of colorless flax. Their gaunt bodies were clad all in black, save that the red mark of Haloga was embroidered on their bony chests. It seemed to Conan’s fancy that the marks were bloody tokens of hearts that had been torn from their breasts, leaving naught but a grisly stain behind. The superstitious youth almost believed the ancient legends that these men were mere cadavers, animated by demons from the depths of some black hell."
An excellent introduction to both Conan and the genre by two of its best authors.
Bonus quotes:
"“You’re more of a sorcerer than you care to own,” growled Conan.
“What were those spooks?” “Elemental spirits, trapped by a powerful spell on this material plane. In darkness they obey me, but they cannot endure the light of day. I won the casket from a magician of Luxur in Stygia.” He shrugged. “The stars foretold that I should win the game.” “Seems like cheating to me,” said Conan.
“Ah, but he tried to cheat me, too, by enchanting the dice.”
“Well,” said Conan, “I’ve gambled away more gold and silver than most men see in a lifetime; but Mitra save me from being lured by a wizard into a game of chance!”"
May 1, 2024
A solid set up short stories that fit in with Howard’s originals. None really stand out above the others but if you’re looking for some good barbarian entertainment this will fix you up.
October 27, 2021
What I didn't like:
Written in the antiquated style; meaning a very loose Point of View (POV), lots of narration (telling instead of showing) limited to no character arch / development, worldbuilding relies on previous knowledge and is also rather limited. It does not meld with the storytelling, more like a part of the setting; a thing to be described. For these reasons I would have given it 3 stars but it wouldn't be fair to judge it by modern standards of writing.
The thing i disliked the most was that these stories lack depth, most likely due to a lack of character development. They are shallow. And reading one after another it becomes hard for the stories to distinguish themselves. They often read like this:
Conan goes to city "A" gambles away his previous fortune, then goes to city "B" across the desert / across the sea, south of city "C" where it is rumored / to seek another treasure (limited Worldbuilding) ....
What i liked: Lots of action. Vivid descriptions of the brutes Conan must battle. And they are savage in the best way. This is what S&S is all about, pitting yourself against horrendous odds. The battle scenes are captivating, but not set up as well as they might have been to capitalize on story tension.
Written in the antiquated style; meaning a very loose Point of View (POV), lots of narration (telling instead of showing) limited to no character arch / development, worldbuilding relies on previous knowledge and is also rather limited. It does not meld with the storytelling, more like a part of the setting; a thing to be described. For these reasons I would have given it 3 stars but it wouldn't be fair to judge it by modern standards of writing.
The thing i disliked the most was that these stories lack depth, most likely due to a lack of character development. They are shallow. And reading one after another it becomes hard for the stories to distinguish themselves. They often read like this:
Conan goes to city "A" gambles away his previous fortune, then goes to city "B" across the desert / across the sea, south of city "C" where it is rumored / to seek another treasure (limited Worldbuilding) ....
What i liked: Lots of action. Vivid descriptions of the brutes Conan must battle. And they are savage in the best way. This is what S&S is all about, pitting yourself against horrendous odds. The battle scenes are captivating, but not set up as well as they might have been to capitalize on story tension.
June 7, 2020
Καλώς ή κακώς η επιρροή του R.E.Howard στην λογοτεχνία του φανταστικού ήταν ανάλογη με αυτή του Lovecraft στην λογοτεχνία τρόμου: κατάφερε να ξεπεράσει τις επιρροές του (E.R.Burroughs, Jack London κ.α.) να θέσει νέα θεμέλια και να δημιουργήσει αξιομνημόνευτους ήρωες όπως ο θρυλικός Κόναν. Ακόμα και σήμερα που θεωρητικά το είδος έχει εξελιχθεί, ο Howard θεωρείται αξεπέραστος, όπως και τα διηγήματα του, που αν και γενικά σύντομα και τυποποιημένα έως ένα βαθμό έχουν βάθος που θα ζήλευαν αρκετοί "σοβαροί" λογοτέχνες.
Παρόλα αυτά ο Howard ως κατεξοχήν pulp συγγραφέας που με τον θάνατο του, άφησε ένα τεράστιο κενό στην pulp λογοτεχνία το οποίο προσπάθησαν να καλύψουν αρκετοί με πρώτο και καλύτερο τον L. Sprague de Camp, ο οποίος συγκέντρωσε τις ιστορίες και προσπάθησε να φτιάξει μια Conan series, συμπληρώνοντας τα κενά με μερικές δικές του (και καμιά φορά κατακρεουργούσε αυτές του Howard). Στον συγκεκριμένο τόμο ο de Camp συνεργάζεται με τον Lin Carter και τον Björn Nyberg για να δημιουργήσουν μια συλλογή ιστοριών που καλύπτουν διάφορα χρονικά διαστήματα της ζωής του Conan. Δυστυχώς παρά τις φιλότιμες προσπάθειες καμία από τις ιστορίες δεν ξεπερνάει την μετριότητα, αφού όλες είναι αφάνταστα απλοϊκές και αδυνατούν να "πιάσουν" έστω και λίγο το "πνεύμα" του Howard. Προφανώς και δεν είναι δυνατό να τον φτάσουν, αλλά αρκετές (πχ "The Ivory Goddess" ή "The Star of Khorala") δεν πλησιάζουν καν. Καλύτερη ίσως είναι η πρώτη αλλά γενικά το επίπεδο είναι πολύ χαμηλό. Μοναδικό ενδιαφέρον του τόμου παρουσιάζει το επίμετρο όπου ο de Camp παραθέτει ένα γλωσσάρι με ονόματα που εμφανίζονται στην Ιβοριανή εποχή και την προέλευση τους.
Γενικά προσπεράστε, ειδικά αν δεν έχετε διαβάσει τον αυθεντικό Howard.
Παρόλα αυτά ο Howard ως κατεξοχήν pulp συγγραφέας που με τον θάνατο του, άφησε ένα τεράστιο κενό στην pulp λογοτεχνία το οποίο προσπάθησαν να καλύψουν αρκετοί με πρώτο και καλύτερο τον L. Sprague de Camp, ο οποίος συγκέντρωσε τις ιστορίες και προσπάθησε να φτιάξει μια Conan series, συμπληρώνοντας τα κενά με μερικές δικές του (και καμιά φορά κατακρεουργούσε αυτές του Howard). Στον συγκεκριμένο τόμο ο de Camp συνεργάζεται με τον Lin Carter και τον Björn Nyberg για να δημιουργήσουν μια συλλογή ιστοριών που καλύπτουν διάφορα χρονικά διαστήματα της ζωής του Conan. Δυστυχώς παρά τις φιλότιμες προσπάθειες καμία από τις ιστορίες δεν ξεπερνάει την μετριότητα, αφού όλες είναι αφάνταστα απλοϊκές και αδυνατούν να "πιάσουν" έστω και λίγο το "πνεύμα" του Howard. Προφανώς και δεν είναι δυνατό να τον φτάσουν, αλλά αρκετές (πχ "The Ivory Goddess" ή "The Star of Khorala") δεν πλησιάζουν καν. Καλύτερη ίσως είναι η πρώτη αλλά γενικά το επίπεδο είναι πολύ χαμηλό. Μοναδικό ενδιαφέρον του τόμου παρουσιάζει το επίμετρο όπου ο de Camp παραθέτει ένα γλωσσάρι με ονόματα που εμφανίζονται στην Ιβοριανή εποχή και την προέλευση τους.
Γενικά προσπεράστε, ειδικά αν δεν έχετε διαβάσει τον αυθεντικό Howard.
September 2, 2019
Много посредствени имитации! Колкото и да обяснява Л. С. де Камп в предговора, че са се опитали да наподобят стила на Хауърд, аз не виждам такова нещо. Вмъкването на архаични думички и изчанчен словоред където ти падне, не е достатъчно! Сюжетите са като скалъпени от първокласник и са на нивото на произволна D&D мисия, въпреки краденето на идеи от други произведения на Хауърд. Конан не прилича на себе си, а е обикновен тъп бабанка, чиито способности и характер зависят изцяло от моментните прищевки на авторите. Все пак книжлето не е пълна скука, става за губене на време, ако сте на необитаем остров и нямате нищо друго подръка.
April 30, 2024
«Τότε ήρθε ο Conan, ο βαρετός Κιμμέριος, μαυρομάλλης, με βλέμμα θολό κι ένα σπαθί χαλαρά στο χέρι, όχι ιδιαίτερα ικανός κλέφτης, μετριώς επιτυχημένος επιδρομέας, βαριεστημένος φονιάς, κάποτε κατατονικά μελαγχολικός, να συντρίψει τους διαμαντοστόλιστους θρόνους της Γης κάτω απ’ τα ντεμοντέ σανδάλια του»
Μια συλλογή μέτρων ως αδιάφορων διηγημάτων, που εκδόθηκαν φυσικά όταν το φαινόμενο «Κόναν» ήταν στα κάτω του, ξεχασμένη σήμερα και για πολύ καλό λόγο: Μόνο δύο ιστορίες είναι άξιες της προσοχής του αναγνώστη κι αυτές δεν είναι και να πέσεις τ’ ανάσκελα.
Ένα μεγάλο μέρος του βιβλίου είναι το παράρτημα στο τέλος με ευρετήριο ονομάτων της Ιβοριανής εποχής, που ίσως να είναι πιο ενδιαφέρον από τις ιστορίες καθεαυτές.
Μπορεί η πρόθεση του L. Sprague De Camp να συμπληρώσει τα κενά στο χρονολόγιο του Βάρβαρου ήρωα να είναι αξιέπαινη, αλλά η υλοποίησή της, κάπου πάσχει. Κρατάμε την προσφορά του στο Conanverse και την διατήρηση στη ζωή (μέχρι να βγουν οι ταινίες) του βάρβαρου ήρωα, αλλά πετάμε τις κακές ιστορίες.
egions of the Dead ⭐⭐⭐
The People of the Summit ⭐
Shadows in the Dark ⭐
The Star of Khorala ⭐⭐⭐
The Gem in the Tower⭐⭐⭐
The Ivory Goddess ⭐⭐
Moon of Blood ⭐
Μια συλλογή μέτρων ως αδιάφορων διηγημάτων, που εκδόθηκαν φυσικά όταν το φαινόμενο «Κόναν» ήταν στα κάτω του, ξεχασμένη σήμερα και για πολύ καλό λόγο: Μόνο δύο ιστορίες είναι άξιες της προσοχής του αναγνώστη κι αυτές δεν είναι και να πέσεις τ’ ανάσκελα.
Ένα μεγάλο μέρος του βιβλίου είναι το παράρτημα στο τέλος με ευρετήριο ονομάτων της Ιβοριανής εποχής, που ίσως να είναι πιο ενδιαφέρον από τις ιστορίες καθεαυτές.
Μπορεί η πρόθεση του L. Sprague De Camp να συμπληρώσει τα κενά στο χρονολόγιο του Βάρβαρου ήρωα να είναι αξιέπαινη, αλλά η υλοποίησή της, κάπου πάσχει. Κρατάμε την προσφορά του στο Conanverse και την διατήρηση στη ζωή (μέχρι να βγουν οι ταινίες) του βάρβαρου ήρωα, αλλά πετάμε τις κακές ιστορίες.
egions of the Dead ⭐⭐⭐
The People of the Summit ⭐
Shadows in the Dark ⭐
The Star of Khorala ⭐⭐⭐
The Gem in the Tower⭐⭐⭐
The Ivory Goddess ⭐⭐
Moon of Blood ⭐
August 26, 2008
I read this book when I was a kid growing up in Missouri, and even then I thought the pastiches were a bit colorless and lacked Howard's "soul" but the best thing about this little volume was the glossary of Hyborian names and places and their probable/possible derivations.
For that alone, I wish that I had retrieved it when we sold my mother's house.
For that alone, I wish that I had retrieved it when we sold my mother's house.
June 13, 2025
Ας ξεκινήσουμε μετριοπαθώς.
ΓΙΑΤΙ;
ΠΟΙΟΣ ΕΙΔΕ ΑΥΤΟ ΤΟ ΤΕΡΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΦΡΑΝΚΕΝΣΤΑΪΝ κι αποφάσισε πως είναι κάτι εκδόσιμο και προσοδοφόρο; Ποιος, ερωτώ, και κυρίως ΓΙΑΤΙ;
ΨΥΧΡΑΙΜΗ ΕΙΜΑΙ.
Δέκα ώρες από τη ζωή μου χαμένες. Ένας Κόναν μελάτος, τάχαμου αισθηματίας και πανέξυπνος και τέτχοια, αλλά στην πραγματικότητα δευτεράντζα στην καλύτερη, οριακά βλάκας σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις και κυρίως παντελώς αψυχολόγητος.
Ο Κόναν του Χάουαρντ είχε έναν σταθερό κι αναγνωρίσιμο (ΚΑΙ ΣΥΝΕΠΗ, Γ@ΜΩ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΑΝΑΚΤΗΣΗ) χαρακτήρα, μια φιλοσοφία ζωής που δεν την πρόδιδε ποτέ - και δεν πρόδιδε ούτε κι εμάς, που αυτό λαχταράμε, έναν ήρωα να κάνει αυτά που δεν μπορούμε να κάνουμε εμείς.
Εδώ τα παλικάρια μου, ο ΝτεΚάμπ κι ο Κάρτερ, απλά γεμίζουν χρονικά κενά μ' ένα συναισθηματικό και φανγκέρλικο (μνησθητιμουκυριε πώς κατάντησα να εκφράζομαι) συμπούρμπουλο. Πώς να το πω δηλαδή, ώρες και φορές ο Κόναν είναι ΚΟΜΠΑΡΣΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΕΡΑΤΑ στην ίδια του την ιστορία, άλλος αφηγείται, άλλον ακολουθεί ο αφηγητής, άλλος σφάζει, άλλος διασκεδάζει...
Ξαναρωτώ: ΓΙΑΤΙ;
ΩΙΜΕ, ΓΙΑΤΙ;
:headdesk:
ΓΙΑΤΙ;
ΠΟΙΟΣ ΕΙΔΕ ΑΥΤΟ ΤΟ ΤΕΡΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΦΡΑΝΚΕΝΣΤΑΪΝ κι αποφάσισε πως είναι κάτι εκδόσιμο και προσοδοφόρο; Ποιος, ερωτώ, και κυρίως ΓΙΑΤΙ;
ΨΥΧΡΑΙΜΗ ΕΙΜΑΙ.
Δέκα ώρες από τη ζωή μου χαμένες. Ένας Κόναν μελάτος, τάχαμου αισθηματίας και πανέξυπνος και τέτχοια, αλλά στην πραγματικότητα δευτεράντζα στην καλύτερη, οριακά βλάκας σε κάποιες περιπτώσεις και κυρίως παντελώς αψυχολόγητος.
Ο Κόναν του Χάουαρντ είχε έναν σταθερό κι αναγνωρίσιμο (ΚΑΙ ΣΥΝΕΠΗ, Γ@ΜΩ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΑΝΑΚΤΗΣΗ) χαρακτήρα, μια φιλοσοφία ζωής που δεν την πρόδιδε ποτέ - και δεν πρόδιδε ούτε κι εμάς, που αυτό λαχταράμε, έναν ήρωα να κάνει αυτά που δεν μπορούμε να κάνουμε εμείς.
Εδώ τα παλικάρια μου, ο ΝτεΚάμπ κι ο Κάρτερ, απλά γεμίζουν χρονικά κενά μ' ένα συναισθηματικό και φανγκέρλικο (μνησθητιμουκυριε πώς κατάντησα να εκφράζομαι) συμπούρμπουλο. Πώς να το πω δηλαδή, ώρες και φορές ο Κόναν είναι ΚΟΜΠΑΡΣΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΕΡΑΤΑ στην ίδια του την ιστορία, άλλος αφηγείται, άλλον ακολουθεί ο αφηγητής, άλλος σφάζει, άλλος διασκεδάζει...
Ξαναρωτώ: ΓΙΑΤΙ;
ΩΙΜΕ, ΓΙΑΤΙ;
:headdesk:
July 26, 2024
This book is L. Sprague de Camp's first solid effort towards completing the saga of Conan. Apart from discovering and rehabilitating Howard's canonical works, he had earnestly tried to develop a timeline of various events in Conan's life. While doing so, he, along-with Lin Carter and Bjorn Nyberg had composed pastiches that would plug the gaps in that grand arc of tales. Accordingly this book contains~
* The Conan Saga: Presumed order of events in Conan's life.
1. Legions of the Dead: Good;
2. The People of the Summit: Meh;
3. Shadows in the Dark: OK;
4. The Star of Khorala— a charming tale that’s vastly superior to the usual sword-meets-weird stuff of other tales;
5. The Gem in the Tower: Drab;
6. The Ivory Goddess— humour and horror elevates the level of this tale considerably;
7. Moon of Blood— Best story of this collection, harking back to Howard's "Beyond the Black River" in every sense.
Overall, this was a very good collection of pastiches.
Recommended.
* The Conan Saga: Presumed order of events in Conan's life.
1. Legions of the Dead: Good;
2. The People of the Summit: Meh;
3. Shadows in the Dark: OK;
4. The Star of Khorala— a charming tale that’s vastly superior to the usual sword-meets-weird stuff of other tales;
5. The Gem in the Tower: Drab;
6. The Ivory Goddess— humour and horror elevates the level of this tale considerably;
7. Moon of Blood— Best story of this collection, harking back to Howard's "Beyond the Black River" in every sense.
Overall, this was a very good collection of pastiches.
Recommended.
December 25, 2022
An entertaining and decent collection of Conan pastiches. The authors made an attempt to fill in some holes in the Conan timeline and I greatly enjoyed it
November 26, 2020
A decent collection of Conan tales by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter, and Bjorn Nyberg (none written by Howard himself). Written between 1959-1970 and published in 1978, after the Conan 'Lancer' series of books, these short stories are set at various points in between the earlier stories. Assembles in chronological order, the collection begins with "Legions of the Dead" (a story with a very young Conan - basically a prequel to "The Thing in the Crypt") and "Moon of Blood" (set just before the civil war that would place Conan on the throne of Aquilonia). Readable but nothing groundbreaking. Bonus - this collection also includes "Hyborian Names" (an essay on Howard's naming conventions in the world of Conan and a list of people and place names with their (mostly) classical and biblical sources.
May 18, 2018
A collection of 7 Conan stories covering his life from the age of 15 up until just before he becomes king of Aquilonia. These act as bridge stories, covering the gaps in pre-existing stories, how Conan ended the last tale in Kush and starts the next one in Zingara, and what happened in between. Written by the usual cabal of deCamp, Carter, and Nyberg they make for some entertaining tales, with plenty of giant snakes and magicians and naked women, just the way we like it. Some of the better written stories, it seems that deCamp isn't trying quite so hard to mimic REH.
The last quarter of the book is an encyclopedia of Hyborean names. DeCamp has taken every given name from every Conan story to date and listed where they are used and where REH most likely found them. Interesting in that it shows how well read REH and deCamp must be to get these names from so many odd places.
The last quarter of the book is an encyclopedia of Hyborean names. DeCamp has taken every given name from every Conan story to date and listed where they are used and where REH most likely found them. Interesting in that it shows how well read REH and deCamp must be to get these names from so many odd places.
April 19, 2021
Not one of the stronger additions to the Conan series. I'd have said a straight 2, but for the last story which actually included the use of skills, intelligence and experience rather than just the "CONAN BASH, CONAN STRONG" that you often get from the revival authors. 2.5 Stars
It shouldn't surprise me that the original Conan (although later edited in many editions) far outstrips the more recent. In the 30's Howard was writing compelling, likeable characters with hopes and fears, and then in the 60's and 70's Messers De Camp and Carter just seemed to make it all tits, talons and broadsword fights. Like seriously lads, I know they're short stories and the side characters don't need much development, but I'm rather bored of having every female character's breasts mentioned in the first sentence describing the character. Perhaps that was all they noticed themsleves...
It shouldn't surprise me that the original Conan (although later edited in many editions) far outstrips the more recent. In the 30's Howard was writing compelling, likeable characters with hopes and fears, and then in the 60's and 70's Messers De Camp and Carter just seemed to make it all tits, talons and broadsword fights. Like seriously lads, I know they're short stories and the side characters don't need much development, but I'm rather bored of having every female character's breasts mentioned in the first sentence describing the character. Perhaps that was all they noticed themsleves...
December 29, 2019
I was a fan of the Marvel comic version of Conan and picked up several of the books. The various versions of Conan, from novel, to comic, to film, and television have only the name of title character, and his basic description, in common. This is seven short stories by three authors, with both pro- and epilogues, that they really didn't tie together other than to say these were at different points of the characters life. It is a quick read, a lot of mindless action that leads nowhere. I still wish I was able to say I am as big a fan of the books as I was the comic book series, but that was superior in every way.
June 5, 2021
This collection of short stories attempts to emulate the style of Robert E. Howard and is comprised of some of the leading writers of Conan material at the time (1978). As with any collection of short stories some are better than others. All the stories take place withing the existing framework of other published works filling in 'gaps' in Conan's adventuring life. What is really a great bonus in this book is the addendum of Hyborian names culled from all the writings to date, explaining the use of the name, source story, and other bits.
February 10, 2020
This is an anthology of non-Robert E. Howard Conan tales. They were written by L. Sprague de Camp, Lin Carter, and Björn Nyberg. The anthology was published in August of 1978 by Bantam Books. The stories are extensions of actual Robert E. Howard stories. From my point of view, each story takes an authentic Robert E. Howard story as a launching point and tells the tale of what happens after those events. Here's my take on each story: "Legions of the Dead" was cool. It was great to read about Hyperborea, the frozen lands of the north. "People of the Summit" was fun. It reminded me of "The People of the Black Circle" in its depiction of an evil cabal of sorcerers who live apart from normal men. "Shadows in the Dark" was a great S&S. I really liked the castle and skullduggery atmosphere. It was the closest story to a Dungeons and Dragons adventure in the anthology. "The Star of Khorala" was o.k. probably the weakest, consisting of mostly exposition with no payoff; it was kind of boring except for the final battle in the abandoned ruin. "The Gem in the Tower" was cool. Sorcerers are really interesting in S&S to me for some reason, and this story showcases a sorcerer. I enjoyed the demon and the horror elements. "The Ivory Goddess" was o.k. but was pretty much a re-hash of the "Jewels of Gwahlur." My favorite was the last one, "Moon of Blood." It had too much political intrigue for my tastes but will still really fun. Overall, a fun anthology.
December 8, 2021
An easy read, and certain to be enjoyed by those who love the "Sword and Socery" genre, but for me it lacks some of the raw excitement which is to be found in the original works by Robert E. Howard.
If I had ever met Lyon Sprague de Camp, I might have asked him why he didn't actually create his own action hero for these stories. Sadly I think I know what the answer would be.
If I had ever met Lyon Sprague de Camp, I might have asked him why he didn't actually create his own action hero for these stories. Sadly I think I know what the answer would be.
Read
June 20, 2025This small collection of short stories was entertaining enough, but doesn't really have the same feral vigor of the original Conan tales. The general Conan pattern, however, persists: he finds himself in a new role somewhere in world, and ends up beating some supernatural opponent through grit and strength.
July 26, 2025
An other Conan book that was uploaded as an Audiobook in YouTube.
It's an really old Cassete Tape Recording and has instructions to change tape sides every 45 minutes.
It has some decent tales that aren't original from REH.
At the end of the book, a really long essay about Hyborian names got me bored fast.
Highly recommending it!
It's an really old Cassete Tape Recording and has instructions to change tape sides every 45 minutes.
It has some decent tales that aren't original from REH.
At the end of the book, a really long essay about Hyborian names got me bored fast.
Highly recommending it!
December 24, 2023
Unfinished manuscripts.
Notable writers were given unfinished manuscripts from the files if the Conan author, Robert Howard. Quite good renditions with slightly better vocabulary. The end of the book is a lengthy look at naming conventions.
Notable writers were given unfinished manuscripts from the files if the Conan author, Robert Howard. Quite good renditions with slightly better vocabulary. The end of the book is a lengthy look at naming conventions.
February 12, 2024
Some old Conan pastiches of about equal quality with the Tor pastiches from the 80s through the early 2000s (which, while nowhere near what Howard produced, aren't always as terrible as people like to claim).
July 11, 2019
This collection is a little too concerned with filling in the gaps between Howard's original tales, which makes it seem a bit like fan-fiction, but most of the stories are serviceable.
September 6, 2019
First time reading a pastiche and it was pretty good. Not as good as REH but what is?
November 22, 2021
Used this to read when I took my class to library for sustained silent reading. Not as good as Howard's stories, but I have read worse.
June 5, 2022
What a terrible conan book. You could have put any name in the place of conan because it didn't feel like one.
June 1, 2023
Fun! Conan stories are always a fun read!
July 14, 2023
A poorly written pastiche.
August 19, 2024
I love all things Conan and found this book and several others at our library's used book store. A solid collection of stories that will satisfy any avid Robert E. Howard fan.
September 18, 2024
I believe this is my first foray into non-Howard Conan stories and they're... pretty good!
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