Robert E. Howard

When I was a young man the first author I read and collected was Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), a pulp fiction writer from Texas. Some of those reading this will know that Howard is known for his sword and sorcery stories and is the creator of Kull, Solomon Kane, and his most famous character, Conan the barbarian. 

Over twenty years ago I got rid of many of my old Howard paperback books, most of which I bought in the 1970s. Letting the books go was like letting go of my youth, and I never thought I would want to read them again. Only recently my interest in Howard’s writing has rekindled and I have purchased a collection of his work, some of which are displayed on this page. Surprisingly I found that the writing holds up and is as enjoyable today as when I was a young man.   

What is the appeal of Howard’s writing? I have given it some thought and this is what I have come up with.

I believe that Howard’s work was appealing to me in my youth because it conveyed much of what is important to young men, such as adventure. All young men crave adventure. They dream about it and some set out and seek it. If some cannot set out on their own adventure, they may be content to read about it. Howard’s writing, particularly his Conan, Kull, and Solomon Kane stories are packed with adventure in which the hero fights for his life against evil. This makes the protagonist a hero, especially if he also is fighting to save the lives of others. This is what young men should aspire to be; a hero fighting for others against dark forces. 

The stories are action-packed and fast-paced. Many themes are dark, and huge expanses of time are conjured up. Most of Howard’s characters have lives that reflect individual freedom. They are wanderers, freebooters, and adventurers, and are not tied to home or a family. 

All of Howard’s characters are strong, masculine characters. They are physically strong and are strong in their convictions. They have their own set of morals and ethics and their own sense of honour. A common theme in Howard’s stories is the damsel in distress being rescued by the brave knight-like male. This theme dates back to ancient Greece and is most exemplified in the St. George and the dragon legend.

In some stories, the barbarian, Conan, often criticizes or points out the hypocrisy of civilized society and their way of life. In the story, Beyond the Black River, Howard wrote, “Barbarism is the natural state of mankind," the borderer said, still staring somberly at the Cimmerian. "Civilization is unnatural. It is a whim of circumstance. And barbarism must always ultimately triumph.”

All these aspects appeal to men, especially young men. And even though we become more civilized as we grow older, these are the ideas and ideals that start a boy on the road to manhood. 

No one can deny Howard’s writing that was filled with furious, primal energy to stir raw emotions, such as this passage from The Valley of the Worm.
I cannot paint the madness, the reek of sweat and blood, the panting, muscle-straining effort, the splintering of bones under mighty blows, the rending and hewing of quivering sentient flesh; above all the merciless abysmal savagery of the whole affair, in which there was neither rule nor orde, each man fighting as he would or could. If I might do so, you would recoil in horror; even modern I, cognizant of my close kinship with those times, stand aghast as I review that butchery.   

I would also like to note that in regards to Conan, Kull, and Solomon Kane, they were all godly men, whether they acknowledge Crom, Valka, or God Almighty. One of my favourite quotes from Solomon Kane is in Moon of Skulls.

"Marylin," said Kane gently, stroking her curly hair, "methinks you lack somewhat in faith, both in Providence and in me. Nay, alone I am a weak creature, having no strength or might in me; yet in times past hath God made me a great vessel of wrath and a sword of deliverance. And, I trust, shall do so again.”

 

Now, in my mid-sixties, I am reading these stories again only to find that the appeal of Howard’s writing can inspire not only young men, but mature men as well. These stories remind me of my youth, and, in an age when masculinity is under attack and criticized, these stories remind us what it means to be a man.

Stephen Gaspar’s books can be found on Amazon!