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Post by wireman on Apr 28, 2021 12:00:48 GMT
Today we will discuss The Phoenix on the Sword by Robert Howard
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Post by edwardjohn on Apr 28, 2021 17:58:31 GMT
This is the first ever Conan story that Howard wrote. And, here's a piece of trivia, is actually a reworked version of a Kull the Conqueror (who was Howard's proto-Conan) story, called By This Axe I Rule!
This is a pretty common idea for the King Conan stories. Howard wrote several stories about a series of disgruntled individuals in Aquilonia who want to get rid of Conan as king. Howard would take this basic idea and turn it into an epic for his fully fledged Conan novel. I much prefer Conan as a drifter, when he was younger and before he became king, but these King Conan stories are still awesome as well.
The action in this story, as with most of Howard's work, is awesome. Conan goes up against wizards, monsters, kings etc. And its all great. What I really like about this story is that it blends a historical type tale, about a king facing a revolt, with other elements, like the supernatural.
Overall, an awesome Conan story. Here's one of my favourite passages:
There on the floor where the monster had died, there lay, like a tangible shadow, a broad dark stain that could not be washed out; the thing had left its outline clearly etched in its blood, and that outline was of no being of a sane and normal world. Grim and horrific it brooded there, like the shadow cast by one of the apish gods that squat on the shadowy altars of dim temples in the dark land of Stygia.
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Post by wireman on Apr 28, 2021 18:14:31 GMT
I haven't finished yet but early on this made me laugh:
"Why does he hate Conan?"
"Poets always hate those in power."
So true!
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Post by spideyman on Apr 28, 2021 19:03:38 GMT
Was not familiar with this work, and must admit I enjoyed the story. Nice to venture into the realm of magic, wizard, kingdoms, instead of horror and supernatural. Action packed and a fun read.
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Post by wireman on Apr 28, 2021 19:13:21 GMT
It is a fun story to read and it does have great descriptive battle scenes. "He was like a tiger among baboons as he leaped, side-stepped and spun, offering an ever-moving target, while his ax wove a shining wheel of death about him."
And how about the opening line? - “Over shadowy spires and gleaming towers lay the ghostly darkness and silence that runs before dawn.” Good stuff
Since this is the first Conan story written and Conan is king, the stories we are familiar with from the films take place before this. This is my first Conan story and I'm very impressed. Being a short story with a big cast of characters, the characters lack the depth they would have in a longer story. The Conan character is probably a little flatter here than in later works. But those are minor issues for this very entertaining and well written story.
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Post by wolf on Apr 28, 2021 19:34:35 GMT
It is a fun story to read and it does have great descriptive battle scenes. "He was like a tiger among baboons as he leaped, side-stepped and spun, offering an ever-moving target, while his ax wove a shining wheel of death about him."
And how about the opening line? - “Over shadowy spires and gleaming towers lay the ghostly darkness and silence that runs before dawn.” Good stuff
Since this is the first Conan story written and Conan is king, the stories we are familiar with from the films take place before this. This is my first Conan story and I'm very impressed. Being a short story with a big cast of characters, the characters lack the depth they would have in a longer story. The Conan character is probably a little flatter here than in later works. But those are minor issues for this very entertaining and well written story.
 )
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Post by edwardjohn on Apr 28, 2021 22:02:46 GMT
Was not familiar with this work, and must admit I enjoyed the story. Nice to venture into the realm of magic, wizard, kingdoms, instead of horror and supernatural. Action packed and a fun read. |
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Post by edwardjohn on Apr 28, 2021 22:04:17 GMT
I haven't finished yet but early on this made me laugh:
"Why does he hate Conan?"
"Poets always hate those in power."
So true!
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Post by wolf on Apr 29, 2021 0:34:35 GMT
I haven't finished yet but early on this made me laugh:
"Why does he hate Conan?"
"Poets always hate those in power."
So true!
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Post by spideyman on Apr 29, 2021 13:55:52 GMT
Back to Interior Darkness-----Mr.Clubb and Mr. Cuff--- for the next group discussion.
It appears to be another novella. Should we make it a 2 week read??
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Post by wireman on Apr 29, 2021 15:40:44 GMT
Back to Interior Darkness-----Mr.Clubb and Mr. Cuff--- for the next group discussion.
It appears to be another novella. Should we make it a 2 week read?? Sounds good.
Discussion for Mr Clubb and Mr Cuff on May 12
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Post by darkharbinger on Apr 30, 2021 1:48:38 GMT
This was the second Conan story i ever read and the first one Howard wrote. I liked this one cause it showed Conan wasn't jsut soem brute savage. In his way he was wise and recognized the knowldge in others. I always loved that line why he couldn't kill the poet.
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Post by wireman on May 11, 2021 12:37:23 GMT
Bump
We will discuss Mr Clubb and Mr Cuff by Peter Straub on Wednesday May 12
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