ISBN: 0-345-46152-5 Order from: Amazon.com
The seminal barbarian swordsman adventure, this usually headlong narration of fighting and travel has its moments of charm poetry.
Reviewed by David on April 01, 2005
Genre: Fantasy (Sword and Sorcery)
Synopsis: A combination of a novel and two novellas, Conan the skilled but simple swordsman from Cimerria fight against sorcerers and conquerors, sometimes to build or defend his own kingdom, and at other times to help his friends.
Full Review: One can't help remembering that this novel inspired many followers in the sword and sorcery traditions, some growing much more sophisticated, and sometimes losing the vigor of the original; while others becoming unintentional parodies of the genre choked in purple prose.
This novel still has the freshness, and often the excitment of an original, with uncomplicated but colorful characters; and while lacking subtle exploration of character, the Howard's world still has plausible characters.
One rarely has any doubts about who the villains are, although there are no clear good characters. It's easy to find characters to emphasize with, as the qualities of loyalty, honesty and courage do not lack amid the tumulteous, vivid world.
While not the best fantasy and lacking polish, both its uncomplicated vigor and its deft balance of melodrama and gritty realism contribute to this being an enjoyable book.
Universe: Conan
Overall: 6; Plot: 5; Characters: 5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 6; Originality: 7;
Copyright date 2003, Random House (Del Rey), December 2004, Trade paperback, 366 pages
ISBN: 0-345-46152-5 Order from: Amazon.com