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Robert E. Howard's Weird Works Volume 1: Shadow Kingdoms
The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard, vol. 1 presents Howard's earliest fantasy and horror stories from Weird Tales, meticulously restored to their original magazine texts.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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319 people want to read
About the author
Robert E. Howard
2,975 books2,641 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 41 reviews
September 26, 2022
A good selection of Robert E. Howard stories, although if you have read even a bit of Howard outside of Conan then a lot of this might be stuff you have seen before. Among the tales presented here are several Kull and Solomon Kane stories, as well as a few "white men vs. deep dark Africa" stories that are about as politically incorrect as you might imagine they are, so tread with care if that kind of thing bothers you.
I enjoyed everything in here, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this collection to someone that wanted a good non-Conan sampling of Howard's work.
I enjoyed everything in here, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this collection to someone that wanted a good non-Conan sampling of Howard's work.
July 16, 2019
This is a pretty good sampling of REH's stories, although there are several Soloman Kanes & a couple of Kulls, there is a sprinkling of other characters. All very good & well narrated. Some were almost productions, but I don't think that helped them any. REH has a cadence to his work that makes any additional acting extraneous. The words speak very well by themselves & the stories are often hindered by the narrator attempting to put more into them.
In the REH group, I mentioned how OSC said that he read his stories aloud & how well his words flowed. All agreed that REH's flowed as well & several remarked that he was well known for shouting as he typed. It upset the neighbors. I suppose there is a lesson there for all writers - if your writing rolls off the tongue, it will read well, too.
In the REH group, I mentioned how OSC said that he read his stories aloud & how well his words flowed. All agreed that REH's flowed as well & several remarked that he was well known for shouting as he typed. It upset the neighbors. I suppose there is a lesson there for all writers - if your writing rolls off the tongue, it will read well, too.
September 3, 2013
I purchased two volumes of these reprints from Howard’s early writings and I wish I had purchased the entire five volume set. The store where I found them is sold out and now, I’ll probably have to go to another store or online to get the rest. But I will get the rest. I was never a huge fan of Conan. Oh, I read some of the volumes of Howard’s most famous works and watched the collateral damage of the movies and the comics, but I was never a huge fan. I knew that Howard had also written about an ancient Valusean king of Atlantean descent named Kull and a mysterious figure named Solomon Kane, but I never figured they would really interest me. But when I picked up Shadow Kingdoms, I was surprised. Here were stories from Weird Tales and Oriental Stories from 1927-1930. I was even more surprised to read the poetry (mostly from Weird Tales, but at least one from JAPFM: The Poetry Weekly. It turns out that I’m more intrigued by Solomon Kane than with Conan and that the poetry, though not in a modern style and not always in a coherent meter, evokes fascinating images of darkness and mystery.
One of these stories had a twist on the werewolf trope that delighted me because it wasn’t about the curse or even the power of the beast/man; it was about the uneasy cohabitation of the ancient idea of power with the modern idea of exploration and exploitation. Deconstructionists would have a field day with the implied politics of this short story, yet it was written years before such a political intent would have been likely. At any rate, I haven’t seen the theme elsewhere in Howard’s work, so I find it curious, but not emblematic. This is especially true when Howard revisits the trope with a different shifter in a 1928 story in the collection. The story celebrates the power of the beast-man, but doesn’t really deal with the “why” or the desperation. As a reader, I liked the earlier one better.
Certainly, one would expect the stories where the psychological and the supernatural intertwine as seamlessly as in the work of C. G. Jung. “The Dream Snake” is such a story and I’m glad I didn’t read it as a junior high school age reader. At that time, I was convinced that what happened to us in our dreams didn’t merely inform us of what was troubling us or challenging us but that they could harm us. This story would have kept me unsettled for weeks. Now, it only gave me pause for a few minutes, but it was good enough to make me smile and think about my former philosophies.
In fact, this theme of shadow and reality showed itself again in “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” (1929). I liked the monologue from the wizard with its near-Platonic idea: “Man must believe to accomplish. Form is shadow, substance is illustion, materiality is dream; man is because he believes he is; what is man but a dream of the gods? Yet man can be that which he wishes to be; form and substance, they are but shadows. The mind, the ego, the essence of the god-dream—that is real, that is immortal.” (p. 187) But what really bothered me about this story was the feeling that this struggle somehow foreshadowed Howard’s suicide. Indeed, in one of the most interesting stories in the volume “Skull-Face,” the protagonist is thinking of suicide and when the beautiful female protests, he replies, “Better to go out clean while I have the manhood left.” (p. 232)
But what can I say about Solomon Kane? I confess that I don’t know what to make of him. The stories seem to occur contemporaneously with Howard’s timeframe, but the story itself states, “…he shuddered—a rare thing for him, who had seen the deeds of the Spanish Inquisition and the witch-finders.” (p. 110) I guess I could Google the name and see what people have compiled about this character, but it’s more fascinating for me to speculate. I don’t know if I’m reading it wrong to perceive these adventures as set in a more modern milieu or whether Kane is set up to be the immortal Puritan who has seen it all and strives to right wrongs that have overstayed their time. I don’t even care if my initial impression (based on these two stories) is wrong because you can tell that the character intrigued me.
And even Kull was more interesting than I thought he would be! I thought he was simply proto-Conan, but he was a marvelous study in how uneasy hangs the crown. Here is someone who has conquered all, but has mysterious enemies who can undergo a metamorphosis into doppelgangers of the most dangerous kind—one’s trusted advisors and allies. I wasn’t surprised at the events in this story, but I really liked the way they pulled together. And, in the afore-mentioned “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune,” Kull struggles with realities far beyond what one would expect of Conan.”
Before closing this review, please let me share both a line I enjoyed and one that may have quite a different meaning than when Howard wrote it. The line which may reflect an archaic usage (but would have a different implication today) occurred when a beautiful woman turns the door knob of the protagonist’s/narrator’s room in “Skull-Face.” Howard wrote, “I sprang erect with a gasp. Red lips, half-parted, dark eyes like limpid seas of wonder, a mass of shimmering hair—framed in my drab doorway stood the girl of my dreams.” (p. 216) Please forgive my ribald impression of that sentence.
I really enjoyed a statement by one of the characters in the last story. It seems to express the skepticism of a positivist/empiricist attitude that might have been present in Howard’s own mind. “He was of that class of scientists who have the universe classified and pigeon-holed and everything in its proper little nook. By Jove! It knocks them in a heap to be confronted with the paradoxical-unexplainable-shouldn’t-be more than it does common chaps like you and me, who haven’t much preconceived ideas of things in general.” (p. 339)
Prior to reading this collection, I always thought Howard was important but overrated. I hereby officially rescind my prior opinion and suggest that Howard is not only paradigmatic for weird fantasy, but worth reading for lots more than Conan. Some of the stories are predictable, but they were all worthwhile.
One of these stories had a twist on the werewolf trope that delighted me because it wasn’t about the curse or even the power of the beast/man; it was about the uneasy cohabitation of the ancient idea of power with the modern idea of exploration and exploitation. Deconstructionists would have a field day with the implied politics of this short story, yet it was written years before such a political intent would have been likely. At any rate, I haven’t seen the theme elsewhere in Howard’s work, so I find it curious, but not emblematic. This is especially true when Howard revisits the trope with a different shifter in a 1928 story in the collection. The story celebrates the power of the beast-man, but doesn’t really deal with the “why” or the desperation. As a reader, I liked the earlier one better.
Certainly, one would expect the stories where the psychological and the supernatural intertwine as seamlessly as in the work of C. G. Jung. “The Dream Snake” is such a story and I’m glad I didn’t read it as a junior high school age reader. At that time, I was convinced that what happened to us in our dreams didn’t merely inform us of what was troubling us or challenging us but that they could harm us. This story would have kept me unsettled for weeks. Now, it only gave me pause for a few minutes, but it was good enough to make me smile and think about my former philosophies.
In fact, this theme of shadow and reality showed itself again in “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune” (1929). I liked the monologue from the wizard with its near-Platonic idea: “Man must believe to accomplish. Form is shadow, substance is illustion, materiality is dream; man is because he believes he is; what is man but a dream of the gods? Yet man can be that which he wishes to be; form and substance, they are but shadows. The mind, the ego, the essence of the god-dream—that is real, that is immortal.” (p. 187) But what really bothered me about this story was the feeling that this struggle somehow foreshadowed Howard’s suicide. Indeed, in one of the most interesting stories in the volume “Skull-Face,” the protagonist is thinking of suicide and when the beautiful female protests, he replies, “Better to go out clean while I have the manhood left.” (p. 232)
But what can I say about Solomon Kane? I confess that I don’t know what to make of him. The stories seem to occur contemporaneously with Howard’s timeframe, but the story itself states, “…he shuddered—a rare thing for him, who had seen the deeds of the Spanish Inquisition and the witch-finders.” (p. 110) I guess I could Google the name and see what people have compiled about this character, but it’s more fascinating for me to speculate. I don’t know if I’m reading it wrong to perceive these adventures as set in a more modern milieu or whether Kane is set up to be the immortal Puritan who has seen it all and strives to right wrongs that have overstayed their time. I don’t even care if my initial impression (based on these two stories) is wrong because you can tell that the character intrigued me.
And even Kull was more interesting than I thought he would be! I thought he was simply proto-Conan, but he was a marvelous study in how uneasy hangs the crown. Here is someone who has conquered all, but has mysterious enemies who can undergo a metamorphosis into doppelgangers of the most dangerous kind—one’s trusted advisors and allies. I wasn’t surprised at the events in this story, but I really liked the way they pulled together. And, in the afore-mentioned “The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune,” Kull struggles with realities far beyond what one would expect of Conan.”
Before closing this review, please let me share both a line I enjoyed and one that may have quite a different meaning than when Howard wrote it. The line which may reflect an archaic usage (but would have a different implication today) occurred when a beautiful woman turns the door knob of the protagonist’s/narrator’s room in “Skull-Face.” Howard wrote, “I sprang erect with a gasp. Red lips, half-parted, dark eyes like limpid seas of wonder, a mass of shimmering hair—framed in my drab doorway stood the girl of my dreams.” (p. 216) Please forgive my ribald impression of that sentence.
I really enjoyed a statement by one of the characters in the last story. It seems to express the skepticism of a positivist/empiricist attitude that might have been present in Howard’s own mind. “He was of that class of scientists who have the universe classified and pigeon-holed and everything in its proper little nook. By Jove! It knocks them in a heap to be confronted with the paradoxical-unexplainable-shouldn’t-be more than it does common chaps like you and me, who haven’t much preconceived ideas of things in general.” (p. 339)
Prior to reading this collection, I always thought Howard was important but overrated. I hereby officially rescind my prior opinion and suggest that Howard is not only paradigmatic for weird fantasy, but worth reading for lots more than Conan. Some of the stories are predictable, but they were all worthwhile.
November 4, 2020
Spear and Fang - 3/5
A decent stone-age fantasy story. A girl gets abducted by a beast-man, a strong warrior fights the kidnapper to the death and gets her back. Not spectacular, but a nice example of early sword and sorcery.
***
Wolfhead/Forest of Villefere - 3/5
One of the earliest examples of the werewolf legend, back when they were terrifying and shrouded in dark superstitions. It almost reads like a side quest in a fantasy RPG. Simple and effective.
***
The Lost Race - 3/5
A story about racial prejudices and tribal hatred. No one should be held accountable for the actions of their ancestors as holding on to such misguided hatred only leads to more disaster. A good moral message on top of a fun sword and sorcery adventure.
***
The Dream Snake - 3/5
Similar to one of Lovecraft’s dream quest stories. A man is haunted by a dream so horrifyingly vivid that he believes it to be his real existence and the life he lives is the dream. It plays off of the idea that dreams are glimpses into other lifetimes and dimensions. A scary yet fascinating thought.
***
The Hyena - 1/5
The action scenes were well choreographed and the writing was vivid as always, but the plot and characters were horribly racist with no redeeming qualities or development whatsoever. It reads a lot like Robert’s other story Spear and Fang but with even more explicit racism and sexism. It could’ve been a decent sword and sorcery story otherwise.
***
Sea Curse - 3/5
A classic ghost story where a group of scoundrels are punished for their crimes after being cursed by an old crone.
***
Red Shadows - 3/5
My first time reading the Solomon Kane series. It is very reminiscent of the Vampire Hunter D series, even though I'm fully aware that this series was written much earlier. It's not deep or mind-blowing material, just a rush of gothic visuals, classic horror monsters and a badass hero that kicks human and non-human ass on the regular.
Simple, pulpy fun with pleasingly visceral action.
***
Skulls in the Stars - 4/5
Skulls in the Stars has more emotional depth than Red Shadows. What begins as a simple battle between warrior and evil spirit takes a tragic turn of brotherly betrayal. The spirit has no control over its actions, it is restless and vengeful because it was betrayed and killed by someone it loved. Our hero avenges the spirit and gives it the proper rest it deserves.
Short and sweet.
***
Rattle of Bones - 3/5
Kane runs into a traveler out on the road, a traveler who Kane vaguely seems to recognize. The innocent traveller reveals himself to be none other than Gaston the Butcher, a brutal bandit that lures travelers into a den of nightmares disguised as a tavern. Kane and Gaston have a bloody clash in the darkness and a ghostly twist at the end leaves the reader trapped in a satisfyingly gothic atmosphere.
***
The Shadow Kingdom - 3/5
Pretty decent. The stories of Kull of Atlantis are essentially a rough draft of what would later become the famous Conan the Barbarian series. It flows almost exactly like a Conan story would, but with less focus, less world building, less adventure and less descriptive action and monsters which is the meat and bones of the Conan saga. Summed up, it’s basically an inferior version of Conan. Not bad, just not nearly as good.
***
The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune - 2/5
Just like The Shadow Kingdom, feels like an early prototype of what would later become the Conan the Barbarian series. Not bad, just inferior to Conan in all areas of execution.
***
Poetry - 4/5
There are various poems in this collection and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. They read like black metal and viking metal songs which I've always been a huge fan of so I have a soft spot for this prose style.
A decent stone-age fantasy story. A girl gets abducted by a beast-man, a strong warrior fights the kidnapper to the death and gets her back. Not spectacular, but a nice example of early sword and sorcery.
***
Wolfhead/Forest of Villefere - 3/5
One of the earliest examples of the werewolf legend, back when they were terrifying and shrouded in dark superstitions. It almost reads like a side quest in a fantasy RPG. Simple and effective.
***
The Lost Race - 3/5
A story about racial prejudices and tribal hatred. No one should be held accountable for the actions of their ancestors as holding on to such misguided hatred only leads to more disaster. A good moral message on top of a fun sword and sorcery adventure.
***
The Dream Snake - 3/5
Similar to one of Lovecraft’s dream quest stories. A man is haunted by a dream so horrifyingly vivid that he believes it to be his real existence and the life he lives is the dream. It plays off of the idea that dreams are glimpses into other lifetimes and dimensions. A scary yet fascinating thought.
***
The Hyena - 1/5
The action scenes were well choreographed and the writing was vivid as always, but the plot and characters were horribly racist with no redeeming qualities or development whatsoever. It reads a lot like Robert’s other story Spear and Fang but with even more explicit racism and sexism. It could’ve been a decent sword and sorcery story otherwise.
***
Sea Curse - 3/5
A classic ghost story where a group of scoundrels are punished for their crimes after being cursed by an old crone.
***
Red Shadows - 3/5
My first time reading the Solomon Kane series. It is very reminiscent of the Vampire Hunter D series, even though I'm fully aware that this series was written much earlier. It's not deep or mind-blowing material, just a rush of gothic visuals, classic horror monsters and a badass hero that kicks human and non-human ass on the regular.
Simple, pulpy fun with pleasingly visceral action.
***
Skulls in the Stars - 4/5
Skulls in the Stars has more emotional depth than Red Shadows. What begins as a simple battle between warrior and evil spirit takes a tragic turn of brotherly betrayal. The spirit has no control over its actions, it is restless and vengeful because it was betrayed and killed by someone it loved. Our hero avenges the spirit and gives it the proper rest it deserves.
Short and sweet.
***
Rattle of Bones - 3/5
Kane runs into a traveler out on the road, a traveler who Kane vaguely seems to recognize. The innocent traveller reveals himself to be none other than Gaston the Butcher, a brutal bandit that lures travelers into a den of nightmares disguised as a tavern. Kane and Gaston have a bloody clash in the darkness and a ghostly twist at the end leaves the reader trapped in a satisfyingly gothic atmosphere.
***
The Shadow Kingdom - 3/5
Pretty decent. The stories of Kull of Atlantis are essentially a rough draft of what would later become the famous Conan the Barbarian series. It flows almost exactly like a Conan story would, but with less focus, less world building, less adventure and less descriptive action and monsters which is the meat and bones of the Conan saga. Summed up, it’s basically an inferior version of Conan. Not bad, just not nearly as good.
***
The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune - 2/5
Just like The Shadow Kingdom, feels like an early prototype of what would later become the Conan the Barbarian series. Not bad, just inferior to Conan in all areas of execution.
***
Poetry - 4/5
There are various poems in this collection and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. They read like black metal and viking metal songs which I've always been a huge fan of so I have a soft spot for this prose style.
January 25, 2016
One goal of mine is to read all the big name authors from Weird Tales -- Lovecraft, Smith and Howard especially. Howard is the one author I have neglected thus far. Before reading this, I'd read a handful of his stories.
I'm only going to give this collection 3 stars because a lot of this is early work, it's fun but often predictable. However, this is only the first volume of ten, and I could see how Howard improved greatly. There are still some very good stories here too, "Wolfshead," "Sea Curse," "Skull in the Stars" and "The Shadow Kingdom" in particular. The dozen poems here didn't really do much for me, although I can respect their craftsmanship.
If you're interested in Weird Tales, this ten volume set of Howard's works is a goldmine. All of these stories and poems were published in Weird Tales, except the poem "Red Thunder." Also if you're interested in Weird Tales, I'd suggest joining the Yahoo group Pulpscans which currently has about 150 issues scanned!
Spear And Fang - This is an early piece obviously, but still I enjoyed it as a fast-paced tale and an example of Howard's early work. Word of a Neanderthal man in the area has a tribe of Cro-Magnon's on edge. After a maiden is kidnapped by the brutish creature one of their brave men sets out to rescue her.
In The Forest Of Villefore - A short werewolf story, decent atmosphere here. A man traveling in a deep werewolf-haunted forest comes across a strange companion.
Wolfshead - About as politically incorrect as you can get, it's fairly predictable, but still great, fast-paced R.E.H. fun. A group visiting a Frenchman in a fortified castle on the west African coast discover there's a werewolf in their midst.
The Lost Race - Another good adventure story, the first story of the Bran Mak Morn series. A celt trying to elude bandits as he makes his way home is captured by a race thought to be pure myth.
The Song Of The Bats - A poem on Solomon capturing demons into the form of bats.
The Ride Of Falume - A poem on a macabre late night ride.
The Riders Of Babylon - A poem on the riders of Babylon who shook the world, but are now forgotten.
The Dream Snake - Nothing overly original here, but this was interesting because it's a far more conventional horror story, and brings to mind many premonition stories. A man tells of a recurring nightmare where he is cornered in a house by a giant serpent.
The Hyena - A nice, fast-paced action story, the horror element is quite predictable. A man living on an African plantation suspects a sinister fetish-man is more than what he seems.
Remembrance - Brief poem of a man haunted by a man he murdered.
Sea Curse - This is one of the best stories in this collection -- an atmospheric revenge story, very effective for it's brief 3,000~ word length. An old witch gets vengeance against a murderous sailor in very eerie fashion.
The Gates Of Nineveh - Poem wherein a great warrior muses on all things returning to the dust.
Red Shadows - The first Solomon Kane story, a good pulpy adventure which makes time for one memorably horrific moment. Solomon Kane pursues a bandit known as The Wolf across the globe, finally cornering him in an African village where he has found favor with the tribal chief.
The Harp Of Alfred - No idea what this poems about.
Easter Island - Poem speculating on the Easter Island monoliths.
Skulls In The Stars - I liked this one better than the previous Kane story, although it's much shorter. It has a good atmosphere and creative "ghost." And I like anything set on desolate moors! Kane struggles with a hideous, vengeful spirit on a moor.
Crete - Another poem on a long forgotten race.
Moon Mockery - A poem wherein a man is transformed by the moon.
Rattle Of Bones - This is a good story, not among the very best here, but better than the average. Kane and a companion stay the night in a creepy, isolated tavern and uncover several dark secrets.
Forbidden Magic - Poem about a nightmare, seemingly.
The Shadow Kingdom - Another stand out in this collection, and the first appearance of King Kull. Of the longer stories here, this is the best. King Kull has seized the throne of Valusia, but is soon informed that a sinister race of sorcerers is hidden among those whom he rules.
The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune - This story brought the work of Clark Ashton Smith to mind, with it's wizardry and somewhat more ornate language. King Kull becomes entranced by a wizards mirror.
The Moor Ghost - Poem about a murderous ghost of a hanged man.
Red Thunder - The best poem in the book, full of powerful imagery about loosing Satan on the world.
I'm only going to give this collection 3 stars because a lot of this is early work, it's fun but often predictable. However, this is only the first volume of ten, and I could see how Howard improved greatly. There are still some very good stories here too, "Wolfshead," "Sea Curse," "Skull in the Stars" and "The Shadow Kingdom" in particular. The dozen poems here didn't really do much for me, although I can respect their craftsmanship.
If you're interested in Weird Tales, this ten volume set of Howard's works is a goldmine. All of these stories and poems were published in Weird Tales, except the poem "Red Thunder." Also if you're interested in Weird Tales, I'd suggest joining the Yahoo group Pulpscans which currently has about 150 issues scanned!
Spear And Fang - This is an early piece obviously, but still I enjoyed it as a fast-paced tale and an example of Howard's early work. Word of a Neanderthal man in the area has a tribe of Cro-Magnon's on edge. After a maiden is kidnapped by the brutish creature one of their brave men sets out to rescue her.
In The Forest Of Villefore - A short werewolf story, decent atmosphere here. A man traveling in a deep werewolf-haunted forest comes across a strange companion.
Wolfshead - About as politically incorrect as you can get, it's fairly predictable, but still great, fast-paced R.E.H. fun. A group visiting a Frenchman in a fortified castle on the west African coast discover there's a werewolf in their midst.
The Lost Race - Another good adventure story, the first story of the Bran Mak Morn series. A celt trying to elude bandits as he makes his way home is captured by a race thought to be pure myth.
The Song Of The Bats - A poem on Solomon capturing demons into the form of bats.
The Ride Of Falume - A poem on a macabre late night ride.
The Riders Of Babylon - A poem on the riders of Babylon who shook the world, but are now forgotten.
The Dream Snake - Nothing overly original here, but this was interesting because it's a far more conventional horror story, and brings to mind many premonition stories. A man tells of a recurring nightmare where he is cornered in a house by a giant serpent.
The Hyena - A nice, fast-paced action story, the horror element is quite predictable. A man living on an African plantation suspects a sinister fetish-man is more than what he seems.
Remembrance - Brief poem of a man haunted by a man he murdered.
Sea Curse - This is one of the best stories in this collection -- an atmospheric revenge story, very effective for it's brief 3,000~ word length. An old witch gets vengeance against a murderous sailor in very eerie fashion.
The Gates Of Nineveh - Poem wherein a great warrior muses on all things returning to the dust.
Red Shadows - The first Solomon Kane story, a good pulpy adventure which makes time for one memorably horrific moment. Solomon Kane pursues a bandit known as The Wolf across the globe, finally cornering him in an African village where he has found favor with the tribal chief.
The Harp Of Alfred - No idea what this poems about.
Easter Island - Poem speculating on the Easter Island monoliths.
Skulls In The Stars - I liked this one better than the previous Kane story, although it's much shorter. It has a good atmosphere and creative "ghost." And I like anything set on desolate moors! Kane struggles with a hideous, vengeful spirit on a moor.
Crete - Another poem on a long forgotten race.
Moon Mockery - A poem wherein a man is transformed by the moon.
Rattle Of Bones - This is a good story, not among the very best here, but better than the average. Kane and a companion stay the night in a creepy, isolated tavern and uncover several dark secrets.
Forbidden Magic - Poem about a nightmare, seemingly.
The Shadow Kingdom - Another stand out in this collection, and the first appearance of King Kull. Of the longer stories here, this is the best. King Kull has seized the throne of Valusia, but is soon informed that a sinister race of sorcerers is hidden among those whom he rules.
The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune - This story brought the work of Clark Ashton Smith to mind, with it's wizardry and somewhat more ornate language. King Kull becomes entranced by a wizards mirror.
The Moor Ghost - Poem about a murderous ghost of a hanged man.
Red Thunder - The best poem in the book, full of powerful imagery about loosing Satan on the world.
October 20, 2018
Всъщност, чел съм повечето фантастични произведения на Хауърд (а и някои от нефантастичните), само че тия дни ми попадна в ръчичките цялата поредица "Weird Works of Robert E. Howard", та реших да ги почна наред. Фен съм, какво да се прави :)
Та значи, тази поредица включва всички произведения на Хауърд, публикувани в "Weird Tales". Текстовете са сверени с оригиналните публикации и НЕ са цензурирани (за радост на ценителите и за безмерна скръб на робите на политическата коректност, които се изприщват всеки път, щом зърнат думата "негър"). Първото книжле съдържа ранни разкази (и стихове), някои от тях малко недодялани, но още тук прозира суровият талант на автора.
Spear and Fang - първата публикация изобщо на Робърт Хауърд, когато е бил на 18. Кроманьонец и неандерталец се бият за жена. Слабичко, но показва вкуса на Хауърд към екшъна. - 2/5
In the Forest of Villefère - простичка върколашка история. - 3/5
Wolfshead - своеобразно продължение на предишния разказ, в по-приключенски стил и доста по-интересен. Все пак доста предвидим и с ненужно лепнат хепиенд - 4/5
The Lost Race - първа разработка на любимата на Хауърд тема за изгубените раси, в случая - пиктите. Средна работа. - 3/5
The Dream Snake - хорър, нелошо написан, но нищо особено - 3/5
The Hyena - приключенско-романтична история с хорър елементи, средна работа - 3/5
Sea Curse - доста стандартен хорър - 3/5
Red Shadows - първото приключение на Соломон Кейн. Кейн преследва по целия свят злодей с прозвище Вълка, за да му отмъсти. Има някои интригуващи моменти, но нескопосано съшитият сюжет му пречи да се издигне над средното ниво - 3,5/5
Skulls in the Stars - вторият разказ за Соломон Кейн е история с призраци. По-добре като писане, но сюжетът е общо взето банален - 3/5
Rattle of Bones - третият разказ за Соломон Кейн отново е хорър, този път малко по-интересен като замисъл - 3,5/5
The Shadow Kingdom - първият разказ за крал Кул, който полага основите на фентъзи жанра. Едва възкачил се на трона, Кул трябва да се справи със заговор на хората-змии. Абсолютна класика! - 5/5
The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune - още един разказ за Кул, малко по-странен и с уклон към философстване - 4/5
Има и дузина стихотворения, вариращи по качество от прилични до доста добри.
Средната оценка я закръглям на 4 звезди, защото както казах, съм фен :)
Та значи, тази поредица включва всички произведения на Хауърд, публикувани в "Weird Tales". Текстовете са сверени с оригиналните публикации и НЕ са цензурирани (за радост на ценителите и за безмерна скръб на робите на политическата коректност, които се изприщват всеки път, щом зърнат думата "негър"). Първото книжле съдържа ранни разкази (и стихове), някои от тях малко недодялани, но още тук прозира суровият талант на автора.
Spear and Fang - първата публикация изобщо на Робърт Хауърд, когато е бил на 18. Кроманьонец и неандерталец се бият за жена. Слабичко, но показва вкуса на Хауърд към екшъна. - 2/5
In the Forest of Villefère - простичка върколашка история. - 3/5
Wolfshead - своеобразно продължение на предишния разказ, в по-приключенски стил и доста по-интересен. Все пак доста предвидим и с ненужно лепнат хепиенд - 4/5
The Lost Race - първа разработка на любимата на Хауърд тема за изгубените раси, в случая - пиктите. Средна работа. - 3/5
The Dream Snake - хорър, нелошо написан, но нищо особено - 3/5
The Hyena - приключенско-романтична история с хорър елементи, средна работа - 3/5
Sea Curse - доста стандартен хорър - 3/5
Red Shadows - първото приключение на Соломон Кейн. Кейн преследва по целия свят злодей с прозвище Вълка, за да му отмъсти. Има някои интригуващи моменти, но нескопосано съшитият сюжет му пречи да се издигне над средното ниво - 3,5/5
Skulls in the Stars - вторият разказ за Соломон Кейн е история с призраци. По-добре като писане, но сюжетът е общо взето банален - 3/5
Rattle of Bones - третият разказ за Соломон Кейн отново е хорър, този път малко по-интересен като замисъл - 3,5/5
The Shadow Kingdom - първият разказ за крал Кул, който полага основите на фентъзи жанра. Едва възкачил се на трона, Кул трябва да се справи със заговор на хората-змии. Абсолютна класика! - 5/5
The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune - още един разказ за Кул, малко по-странен и с уклон към философстване - 4/5
Има и дузина стихотворения, вариращи по качество от прилични до доста добри.
Средната оценка я закръглям на 4 звезди, защото както казах, съм фен :)
July 25, 2008
Howard is the master of the pulp tale. This volume had a few stories I have not read before, including the great Skull-Face. Also has a few good Kull stories, though he is my least-favorite REH character. And it also had some nice Soloman Kane stories too, who sometimes challenges Conan in my mind for the best REH character.
The only disappointment for me was the first story in the volume, "The Lost Race," which I thought was a weaker Howard story. That, and I cannot say I am a huge fan of poetry, even if Howard was the writer.
The only disappointment for me was the first story in the volume, "The Lost Race," which I thought was a weaker Howard story. That, and I cannot say I am a huge fan of poetry, even if Howard was the writer.
January 23, 2016
This series of book reprints, unedited, Robert E. Howard's stories in the order they were published in Weird Tales magazine, one year per volume. In book one, two of Howard's greatest characters are introduced for the first time, Solomon Kane and King Kull. Exceptional action and fantasy stories as only Howard Can tell them. My highest recommendation
February 13, 2021
This is the first volume of a series that collects the fiction and poetry of Robert E. Howard as it originally appeared in Weird Tales magazine.
I enjoyed reading this collection as there is some variety and I could see Howard’s progression as a writer. He starts out quite good and just gets better. Howard is a master of action and as he writes more stories he starts adding more characterization.
In these stories you’ll meet cavemen, werewolves, Picts, ghosts, Solomon Kane and King Kull. Werewolves feature in the second, third, and fourth stories. Howard’s take on werewolves was interesting, I had not come across his version before. I enjoyed the Solomon Kane and King Kull stories the most. These stories felt more fleshed out and there is more characterization than in the earlier stories. The Kane stories also had creepy creatures and brutal fights. The Kull stories include some interesting world building and a character that wonders about his place in the world. I could also see the beginnings of Conan in Kull.
On the negative side, Howard brings up race and racial purity in some stories and it does come across as racist. Sometimes it’s just a few lines and sometimes it’s more. It definitely pulled me out of the story whenever it came up. Something to be aware of when reading Howard.
I’ve read some Conan before but I never got around to reading anything else of his. After reading these stories I'm really looking forward to reading more of his work.
I didn’t realize that REH had written so much poetry. I enjoyed the poems quite a bit.
Spear and Fang (3/5)
In the Forest of Villefore (3/5)
Wolfshead (3.5/5)
The Lost Race (3/5)
The Song of the Bats (poem)
The Ride of Falume (poem)
The Riders of Babylon (poem)
The Dream Snake (2.5/5)
The Hyena (1/5)
Remembrance (poem)
Sea Curse (4/5)
The Gates of Nineveh (poem)
Red Shadows (1st Solomon Kane) (4/5)
The Harp of Alfred (poem)
Easter Island (poem)
Skulls in the Stars (Solomon Kane) (4.5/5)
Crete (poem)
Moon Mockery (poem)
Rattle of Bones (Solomon Kane) (4/5)
Forbidden Magic (poem)
The Shadow Kingdom (1st King Kull) (4/5)
The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune (King Kull) (4/5)
The Moor Ghost (poem)
Red Thunder (poem)
I enjoyed reading this collection as there is some variety and I could see Howard’s progression as a writer. He starts out quite good and just gets better. Howard is a master of action and as he writes more stories he starts adding more characterization.
In these stories you’ll meet cavemen, werewolves, Picts, ghosts, Solomon Kane and King Kull. Werewolves feature in the second, third, and fourth stories. Howard’s take on werewolves was interesting, I had not come across his version before. I enjoyed the Solomon Kane and King Kull stories the most. These stories felt more fleshed out and there is more characterization than in the earlier stories. The Kane stories also had creepy creatures and brutal fights. The Kull stories include some interesting world building and a character that wonders about his place in the world. I could also see the beginnings of Conan in Kull.
On the negative side, Howard brings up race and racial purity in some stories and it does come across as racist. Sometimes it’s just a few lines and sometimes it’s more. It definitely pulled me out of the story whenever it came up. Something to be aware of when reading Howard.
I’ve read some Conan before but I never got around to reading anything else of his. After reading these stories I'm really looking forward to reading more of his work.
I didn’t realize that REH had written so much poetry. I enjoyed the poems quite a bit.
Spear and Fang (3/5)
In the Forest of Villefore (3/5)
Wolfshead (3.5/5)
The Lost Race (3/5)
The Song of the Bats (poem)
The Ride of Falume (poem)
The Riders of Babylon (poem)
The Dream Snake (2.5/5)
The Hyena (1/5)
Remembrance (poem)
Sea Curse (4/5)
The Gates of Nineveh (poem)
Red Shadows (1st Solomon Kane) (4/5)
The Harp of Alfred (poem)
Easter Island (poem)
Skulls in the Stars (Solomon Kane) (4.5/5)
Crete (poem)
Moon Mockery (poem)
Rattle of Bones (Solomon Kane) (4/5)
Forbidden Magic (poem)
The Shadow Kingdom (1st King Kull) (4/5)
The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune (King Kull) (4/5)
The Moor Ghost (poem)
Red Thunder (poem)
October 8, 2010
This book is the first of a ten volume set. All of Howard’s stories that were originally published in pulp magazines have been restored and re-published in the order in which they were printed. This book (and the collection in general) are great for long-time fans as well as new fans. The book includes well known stories as well as lesser known tales, and introduces some of Howard’s most memorable characters, such as King Kull and Solomon Kane. The book also includes Howard’s poetry.
June 14, 2024
The writing is generally good, but the plots and characters are quite simplistic.
No staring out the window at the end like with Poe or Lovecraft.
No staring out the window at the end like with Poe or Lovecraft.
December 29, 2014
Early stories by the creator of Conan. According to the back cover this is the first volume in a series to reprint "the complete fantasy works of Robert E. Howard from the legendary pulp magazine Weird Tales (and several other classic publication. ... and are for the first time presented in order of original publication." It seems like every few years some publisher starts printing another one; I know I have at least two other multi-volume sets of his work. The is the only volume I have in this series (although I recently ordered three others).
Shadow Kingdoms isn't great but it's not bad. The collection contains about a dozen of Howard's poems (which have never really appealed to me) and a dozen short stories (three are Solomon Kane stories and two are Kull). The fourth story, "The Lost Race", isn't from a series and isn't one I remember having read before and is pretty good. For some reason Solomon Kane has never been one of my favorites and two of the three stories here are OK but do nothing to change my opinion; however, the third, "Rattle of Bones", is pretty entertaining. On the other hand, I thought both Kull stories ("The Shadow Kingdom" and "The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune") were quite good. "The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune" is particularly moody and very un-Conan-likenand I liked it a lot. And since they were the last stories in the collection, it ended on a high note for me.
While looking through my shelves I discovered another collection of Howard's that I hadn't read: Wolfshead. I think I'll read it next. It should be a short read; it's only 6 stories and one ("Wolfshead") I just read in Shadow Kingdoms.
Shadow Kingdoms isn't great but it's not bad. The collection contains about a dozen of Howard's poems (which have never really appealed to me) and a dozen short stories (three are Solomon Kane stories and two are Kull). The fourth story, "The Lost Race", isn't from a series and isn't one I remember having read before and is pretty good. For some reason Solomon Kane has never been one of my favorites and two of the three stories here are OK but do nothing to change my opinion; however, the third, "Rattle of Bones", is pretty entertaining. On the other hand, I thought both Kull stories ("The Shadow Kingdom" and "The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune") were quite good. "The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune" is particularly moody and very un-Conan-likenand I liked it a lot. And since they were the last stories in the collection, it ended on a high note for me.
While looking through my shelves I discovered another collection of Howard's that I hadn't read: Wolfshead. I think I'll read it next. It should be a short read; it's only 6 stories and one ("Wolfshead") I just read in Shadow Kingdoms.
November 16, 2007
Date read is a guess. Once I realized that I liked Howard, I managed to see this on the library shelves. Holy archival material, Batman! This is the first in a planned 10-volume set of all the stories the great Howard had published in Weird Tales. Here we get the first Kull story, the first Solomon Kane story, and other tales that show Howard's growth as a writer.
Of all his creations, I think Kane may have been one of the best, perhaps even better than Conan. Howard creates a man who contradicts everything about himself--a man of god who attacks, a person who claims to deny himself pleasure but clearly takes pleasure in his actions. But then again, contradictions are the name of Howard's game in most of his fiction.
The final story in this collection, about Kull in a house of mirrors, may be the best of the set. Again, the theme of identity comes up, and it's clear that the gay and troubled Howard was expressing his problems in the only way he knew how--by writing.
There's a bit of latent racism here and there that causes me to wince, but still, for any fan of speculative fiction, this is must-reading! Howard was so far ahead of his time, it's not even funny. If you only thing of the movie Conan, you're missing so very, very much. Put this on your reading list and see for yourself.
Of all his creations, I think Kane may have been one of the best, perhaps even better than Conan. Howard creates a man who contradicts everything about himself--a man of god who attacks, a person who claims to deny himself pleasure but clearly takes pleasure in his actions. But then again, contradictions are the name of Howard's game in most of his fiction.
The final story in this collection, about Kull in a house of mirrors, may be the best of the set. Again, the theme of identity comes up, and it's clear that the gay and troubled Howard was expressing his problems in the only way he knew how--by writing.
There's a bit of latent racism here and there that causes me to wince, but still, for any fan of speculative fiction, this is must-reading! Howard was so far ahead of his time, it's not even funny. If you only thing of the movie Conan, you're missing so very, very much. Put this on your reading list and see for yourself.
September 27, 2007
Alright! The first volume in a series that presents Howards fantasy and weird fiction in the order that the stories were published and in the original un-altered form. No de Camp/Carter/Nyborg revisions here, 100% pure Howard. Also included (and my first chance to read many of them) is Howards poetry in the same vein. Having grown up with Conan & REH's fiction in general and never having stopped enjoying them, this is a special treat. Even the very early stories, while somewhat clumsy and pulp formulaic at times, show the natural storytelling ability that was Howard's strongest suit. My only minor quibble with the first volume is that the back page notes are a little confusing; from reading them I expected only his "Weird Tales" material(the last story "The Voice Of El-Lil" was published in "Oriental Stories", definitely not complaining here!) and lists the first story as "Spear and Fang" (the first story in the book is "The Lost Race", possible alternate titles?) but these are definitely minor quibbles indeed. Good stuff, recommended for fans of Howard, Sword & Sorcery, fantasy in general or good old fashioned no-holds-barred pulp writing, as done by one of the best.
Want to read
July 19, 2011Shadow Kingdoms is the first volume in a series dedicated to collecting all the published material of Robert E. Howard, one of the greatest pulp authors of all time. This book collects the first short stories and poems of his career, collected in unedited form.
It is interesting to use these stories to chart Howard's development as a writer. After several generic Pulp stories, he developed the character of Solomon Kane, three stories of which can be found in this collection. He also makes the first mention of the Atlantean king of Valusia, Kull, who would be a precursor to his most famous character, Conan the Barbarian.
Rounding out the fiction are a number of interesting poems. Most of them are short martial forms, meant to be stirring in nature.
It is interesting to use these stories to chart Howard's development as a writer. After several generic Pulp stories, he developed the character of Solomon Kane, three stories of which can be found in this collection. He also makes the first mention of the Atlantean king of Valusia, Kull, who would be a precursor to his most famous character, Conan the Barbarian.
Rounding out the fiction are a number of interesting poems. Most of them are short martial forms, meant to be stirring in nature.
August 11, 2012
This was a book my brother got for Christmas years ago and has been obsessed with ever since. While I do love the boy I tend to avoid anything he touches....
But anyway, while I was in Hungary for three weeks, well, I wanted to read something in English dang it, so this was my only choice.
Suprisingly, I loved some of these stories.
The Lost Race, The Kane Cronicles, The Dream Snake, The Hyena, Skulls in the Stars, Crete , and several others were an excellent 5/5 stars. However, there were about three that I absolutely could not get into because of the writing style at the begining. naturally I hated those.
So overall this book is a 3/5 because of those really bad stories, but the rest were excellent and I'm looking forward to more Weird Works.
But anyway, while I was in Hungary for three weeks, well, I wanted to read something in English dang it, so this was my only choice.
Suprisingly, I loved some of these stories.
The Lost Race, The Kane Cronicles, The Dream Snake, The Hyena, Skulls in the Stars, Crete , and several others were an excellent 5/5 stars. However, there were about three that I absolutely could not get into because of the writing style at the begining. naturally I hated those.
So overall this book is a 3/5 because of those really bad stories, but the rest were excellent and I'm looking forward to more Weird Works.
January 13, 2013
Read this because I enjoyed the Conan stories of Howard so much. The stories in this collection did no disappoint. There are a number of horror stories in here. They remind me of the old school radio horror and are well executed. Locations are exotic and the action, as always with Howard, moves at a fast pace.
There are also some Howard poems in here. They read a little like heavy metal lyrics, but I rather enjoyed them.
Good sampling of Howard's non Conan stories. I would warn that there is a bit of a racist bent to some of Howard’s writings. I think more a factor of the times and attitudes he lived in than on any conscious effort on Howard’s part.
There are also some Howard poems in here. They read a little like heavy metal lyrics, but I rather enjoyed them.
Good sampling of Howard's non Conan stories. I would warn that there is a bit of a racist bent to some of Howard’s writings. I think more a factor of the times and attitudes he lived in than on any conscious effort on Howard’s part.
February 17, 2011
Robert E. Howard is my favorite author of all time. This collection of his early short fiction and poetry was perhaps the most inspirational book I've ever read. Howard wrote for practically all of his very short life and had such a flair for language. Never have the most violent, gruesome and weird ideas been communicated with such beauty and finesse. My favorite selections from this collection are: "The Dream Snake", "The Hyena", "Sea Curse", "Red Shadows", "The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune", and "Red Thunder".
May 9, 2018
Tales full of mythological aspects mixed with mystery and horror.
This book features a marvelous selection that can read in a brightly lit populous city or in a warm small house at the foot of a mountain. It instigates and inspires a fireplace, with a good drink to let the imagination go to the worlds of the existence of supernatural and immemorial beings living in our planet long before the existence of the human being. But when we access them, its not like a beautiful rainbow crossing a calm sea.....
This book features a marvelous selection that can read in a brightly lit populous city or in a warm small house at the foot of a mountain. It instigates and inspires a fireplace, with a good drink to let the imagination go to the worlds of the existence of supernatural and immemorial beings living in our planet long before the existence of the human being. But when we access them, its not like a beautiful rainbow crossing a calm sea.....
June 27, 2013
Pour ceux qui souhaitent découvrir les premiers écrits de Robert Howard, avant Conan, publiés dans Weird Tales à la fin des années 1930, ce titre est fait pour vous.
On y retrouve ces premiers héros, principalement Kull l'Atlante et Solomon Kane. Ce dernier est d'ailleurs assez intéressant et il fait très bien le lien entre le roman gothique anglais et le récit fantastique lovecraftien qui inspirera ensuite certains récits de Conan.
On y retrouve ces premiers héros, principalement Kull l'Atlante et Solomon Kane. Ce dernier est d'ailleurs assez intéressant et il fait très bien le lien entre le roman gothique anglais et le récit fantastique lovecraftien qui inspirera ensuite certains récits de Conan.
July 23, 2014
The first of a ten volume set that collects all of Howard's writings for Weird Tales in chronological order, in the original magazine text. Highlights of this volume include his first Solomon Kane and Kull stories, as well as several of his poems including two of my all time favorites "The Harp of Alfred" and "The Moor Ghost". An excellent read and two more volumes are on the way!!
January 25, 2017
I downloaded free copies of "Weird Works" Volumes 1, 2, & 4 to read the short stories that were new to me. Transpires that all the unread material were short poems, so I soon got through these books.
I'm no fan of poetry, but Howard's style is palatable. The prose tales in this collection are the main attraction and I recommend them to anyone new to the works of this great writer.
I'm no fan of poetry, but Howard's style is palatable. The prose tales in this collection are the main attraction and I recommend them to anyone new to the works of this great writer.
January 4, 2008
Several very good stories, including early Solomon Kane and Kull the Conquerer. Also contains some rather average poetry.
October 8, 2008
Again Robert E Howard was the first euro american pulp dark fantasy writer perhaps the father of such types of tales. Death's poet can make you not wanna stop till your done with the story.
March 18, 2011
About halfway thru,haven't read it in months now. Collection of Howards stuff from weird tales. In chronological order.Soloman Kane stories have been the standouts.
February 20, 2017
As the anthology is arranged by date of publication, it has an odd feel; horror drifts to fantasy to "Yellow Peril". Still the reading of a REH story is always a good way to pass some time.
January 23, 2018
My dad has been a lifelong fan of Conan. You can feel the writing style of when this was published.
September 4, 2018
3/5 because I really liked the Solomon Kane stories but found Kull somewhat dull.
Read
December 14, 2020The best well to dip from when seeking out Robert E Howard’s writing are the 11 volume Del Rey collection. His writing within those tomes are un-bowlerized.
However, those 11 books don’t contain everything REH wrote. The next best stop are the various books put out by the REH Foundation Press, but they are hard to come by (ray of hope, eventually the REH books will be offered as POD).
That leaves the various, mostly OOP, paperbacks out there in the wild. This is one of those.
Shadow Kingdoms The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard Volume 1, claims (on the back cover) to present all of Howard’s work published in the famous Weird Tales magazine, beginning with “Spear and Fang” and covering up to the stories published from Spear and Fang to 1930(ish).
Such is not the case. Spear and Fang is not included in this book! Oops. And, it includes one story published in Oriental Stories (“The Voice of El-Lil”) and one poem published in JAPM: The Poetry Weekly (“Red Thunder”). Everything else between its covers was published in WT between the years of 1927 and 1930 (minus the missing and promised “Spear and Fang” from 1925).
The important word there is “published”, this book does not include anything not published in REH’s too short lifetime. You will find stories of fan favorites Kull and Solomon Kane, but no Conan in this volume.
You will find only three stories not included in the 11 volume Del Reys: “Skull-Face”, “The Hyena” and “The Voice of El-lil”; however, 9 of the 12 included poems are not published in the Del Reys.
There are no introductions or appendices.
Seek out if you enjoy the poetry of REH, or you have not read the three stories not in the Del Reys.
However, those 11 books don’t contain everything REH wrote. The next best stop are the various books put out by the REH Foundation Press, but they are hard to come by (ray of hope, eventually the REH books will be offered as POD).
That leaves the various, mostly OOP, paperbacks out there in the wild. This is one of those.
Shadow Kingdoms The Weird Works of Robert E. Howard Volume 1, claims (on the back cover) to present all of Howard’s work published in the famous Weird Tales magazine, beginning with “Spear and Fang” and covering up to the stories published from Spear and Fang to 1930(ish).
Such is not the case. Spear and Fang is not included in this book! Oops. And, it includes one story published in Oriental Stories (“The Voice of El-Lil”) and one poem published in JAPM: The Poetry Weekly (“Red Thunder”). Everything else between its covers was published in WT between the years of 1927 and 1930 (minus the missing and promised “Spear and Fang” from 1925).
The important word there is “published”, this book does not include anything not published in REH’s too short lifetime. You will find stories of fan favorites Kull and Solomon Kane, but no Conan in this volume.
You will find only three stories not included in the 11 volume Del Reys: “Skull-Face”, “The Hyena” and “The Voice of El-lil”; however, 9 of the 12 included poems are not published in the Del Reys.
There are no introductions or appendices.
Seek out if you enjoy the poetry of REH, or you have not read the three stories not in the Del Reys.
March 10, 2020
The works of Robert E Howard as printed chronologically in Weird Tales plus a few others.
Starting with his very first sale "Spear and Fang." Follow REH's progression as a teenage writer submitting a caveman story, through his werewolf and ghost phase, until he finally develops the code hero he is known for, the sword swinging adventurer, and along the way invents an entirely new genre in fiction, Sword and Sorcery. First a few Solomon Kane stories, then the beginning of Kull the Conqueror. The first few in the collection are straightforward adventures, but when Kane shows up we begin to see a more character centered tale, and by the time Kull shows up the characters are even thinking and developing some introspection, or as much introspection as can be expected from fanatics and barbarians.
Includes several poems as well. I cannot speak to them as the only poems I know anything about all involve a man from Nantucket. They do mostly rhyme, though.
Starting with his very first sale "Spear and Fang." Follow REH's progression as a teenage writer submitting a caveman story, through his werewolf and ghost phase, until he finally develops the code hero he is known for, the sword swinging adventurer, and along the way invents an entirely new genre in fiction, Sword and Sorcery. First a few Solomon Kane stories, then the beginning of Kull the Conqueror. The first few in the collection are straightforward adventures, but when Kane shows up we begin to see a more character centered tale, and by the time Kull shows up the characters are even thinking and developing some introspection, or as much introspection as can be expected from fanatics and barbarians.
Includes several poems as well. I cannot speak to them as the only poems I know anything about all involve a man from Nantucket. They do mostly rhyme, though.
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