Robert E. Howard - The Complete Chronicles of Conan

Did I enjoy it? Yes.
Would I recommend it? No.

The racism and sexism are at the level I would expect from a white rural Texan writing in the 1930's. Even though explicitly praising diversity of peoples (races) when describing nations or cities, his women are mostly passive and always taken and 'savages' are all too often cruel blacks. His romantic view of the 'barbarian' as a man with innate decency and other talents lost to 'civilized men' is something that was dated even in the 1930's.

So why did I enjoy this collection still?

For one there is the 'antropological' aspect of reading this kind of stuff. Besides that, these short stories are like the SF of that era, completely plot-driven, fast paced. You want to turn that page. Lastly there are stylistic aspects that hint back to the oral traditions of Norse myths. For instance the use of alliterations, like 'the lurking listener' 'a purple pulp' (what Conan would have been if crushed by a falling stone) and even better Howard's use of kennning-like descriptions. 'The sharp cloud' for a barrage of arrows, 'blue rolling wastes' for the sea and 'his crimson work' for Conan slaying his enemies.

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