Ghost of a flea: The riddle of steel

? Good news | Main | Lady Sovereign: 9 to 5 ?

December 19, 2006

The riddle of steel

Writing for the National Review, John J. Miller considers Robert E. Howard's most famous creation in this the centenary year of his creator. I think the article is worth a look even if I expect there is hardly a Flea-reader who does not first and foremost think of Conan as a literary figure.

In the tales, Conan takes his turn as a thief, pirate, mercenary, tribal chieftain and, finally, king. He is never comfortable in any of these roles. You can take the boy out of Cimmeria, but you can't take Cimmeria out of the boy: Just about everywhere Conan goes and no matter what he does, he is an outsider who follows only a rough sense of personal honor. He has been called an existential hero because he feels no responsibility to be anything other than his authentic, barbaric self. "I live, I burn with life, I love, I slay, and am content," he says in "Queen of the Black Coast."

Surely a contentment worth striving for. Loving this argument from the Rantburg post whence the linkage:

I believe Conan is TECHNICALLY part of the Cthulhu mythos, with a number of Mythos creatures mentioned in the Conan stories and at least one Conan reference in Lovecraft's works. The critter in "The Tower of the Elephant" was definitely cut from the Mythos mold, if not as malevolent as the rest.

Posted by Ghost of a flea at December 19, 2006 07:01 AM

Comments

I gravely wish they would make more Conan movies. Having read the Robert Jordan Conan chronicles (Chromicals?) I have become more happy with the movie interpretations we have seen out of hollywood with Arnold in his younger self. Newer Conan movies should have Arnold and with tales of his kinghood and such in his later life. It's something that is lacking in the Conan chronicals.

Speaking of which, is it odd that Conan and Fafard and the Grey Mouser have such an oddly similar feel at times? I don't mean grossly thematically, but in subtle forms, references to certain fictional places and some of the visceral nature? Oh, I guess that's another set of movies that I'd like to see done, done right of course, but none the less, material for a good set of movies. Ningauble of the Seven Eyes would be far easier to do in the days of CGI than claymation.

Posted by: Montieth at December 19, 2006 11:29 AM

Fritz Leiber was arguably Lovecraft's most important protégé... Off the top of my head I could not say for certain he also corresponded with Robert E. Howard but I would be surprised if he didn't. Certainly, the influence would be from Howard's immediate circle if not from Howard himself.

It is astonishing, how you mention it, the Lankhmar stories have not been adapted to the screen. And I could not agree more about new Conan films. I would love to see an older Arnold as king of Aquilonia.

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at December 19, 2006 11:50 AM

I recall playing a D&D module in Lankhmar. Whenever someone said "Lankhmar" they had to repeat themselves - "Lankhmar (Lankhmar)" for dramatic effect.

Posted by: The_Campblog at December 19, 2006 12:10 PM

Definitely on my list of imaginary places to visit.

Posted by: Ghost of a flea at December 19, 2006 12:35 PM

I sit at ye olde PC and gaze across the room where my dear spouse hase deemed my huge collection of Savage Sword mags and Howard novels (both the Robert E and the Phillip Lovecraft - Howards) allowable to be placed in full view on our living room Ikea Billy shelving.

She is a good woman.

Gorthos needs ale.

I think the original Conan shall be a rental this weekend and mayhap Red Sonja..

Posted by: Gorthos at December 19, 2006 08:50 PM

Howard wrote some mythos novels/tales I have them. Conan could certainly be considered part of the mythos larger groupiing.

Posted by: Andrew Ian Dodge at December 20, 2006 06:03 AM

Don't forget Cormac mac Art!

Posted by: The_Campblog at December 20, 2006 07:03 AM