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Post by KiramidHead on Feb 6, 2016 17:16:52 GMT -5
Since we have a thread for The Frost Giant's Daughter, I figured I'd make a thread for the one I just reread in the Del Rey editions. This one is on the whole an excellent piece by Howard, with a somewhat different setting from the other Conan stories, an interesting and strong (in her way) female lead, and absolutely insane and badass villains. I do feel like there are maybe one too many plot threads, but that doesn't drag it down much at all.
Thoughts?
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ironhand
Thief
The Mad Playwright
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Post by ironhand on Feb 8, 2016 21:02:03 GMT -5
It was not unheard-of for REH to use multiple subplots in his stories.
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Post by KiramidHead on Feb 8, 2016 23:10:31 GMT -5
Oh, I'm well aware of that.
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Post by kullagain on Feb 11, 2016 16:15:35 GMT -5
I was actually introduced to Howard through this story, and while it works in that capacity, I always felt mixed about the story, like Howard was laboring to get out of that "distressed damsel" run of Conan, and was just starting to dig out of it. Not that I don't enjoy those stories also, but here I guess it felt a little jarring mingled with a political plot, a more QotBC slant, and the added length, which I believe was Howard's first foray into writing such length. Overall, it's a fun story that bristles with mystery and suspense, works very much to introduce readers to the Hyborian age, but it's not his strongest story, and I think "The Devil in Iron" (for example) is a more integrally sound and tight "damsel in distress" story. PS I know Im in the minority about tDiI, but it's a topic for another thread.
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Post by deuce on Feb 12, 2016 10:13:26 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 22, 2016 16:41:05 GMT -5
Conan turned to Yasmina, his red knife still in his hand, his blue eyes smoldering, blood oozing from wounds on his thickly-muscled arms and thighs."You are the Devi again," he said, grinning fiercely at the gold-clasped gossamer robe she had donned over her hill-girl attire, and awed not at all by the imposing array of chivalry about him. "I have you to thank for the lives of some three hundred and fifty of my rogues, who are at least convinced that I didn't betray them. You have put my hands on the reins of conquest again.""I still owe you my ransom," she said, her dark eyes glowing as they swept over him. "Ten thousand pieces of gold I will pay you—"He made a savage, impatient gesture, shook the blood from his knife and thrust it back in its scabbard, wiping his hands on his mail."I will collect your ransom in my own way, at my own time," he said. "I will collect it in your palace at Ayodhya, and I will come with fifty thousand men to see that the scales are fair."She laughed, gathering her reins into her hands. "And I will meet you on the shores of the Jhumda with a hundred thousand!"His eyes shone with fierce appreciation and admiration, and stepping back, he lifted his hand with a gesture that was like the assumption of kingship, indicating that her road was clear before her.
Conan Vol.2, p.78-9 Del Rey, Wandering Star Yasmina turned out to be quite tough in the end.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 12, 2016 5:47:01 GMT -5
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Post by johnnypt on Jan 20, 2023 15:41:48 GMT -5
Finally getting around to the next episode of the podcast (the Saga of Black and Red begins here!), so going over this story with Conan and Kerim Shah's attack on Yimsha...man if this isn't a blueprint for the attack on Thulsa Doom's lair in the movie! Conan and a guy who's REALLY good with a bow & arrow.
The way Howard writes about Conan and hypnotism may argue for a later Shadows in Zamboula placement like Dale had in his, but it doesn't say he NEVER dealt with hypnotism before.
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Post by enriqued on Jan 21, 2023 6:22:57 GMT -5
My favorite Conan story and my favorite Howard story. I love every single sentence of it. pure romance, pure fantasy, pure pulp adventure.
I have always hoped that someone would adapt it word-for-word as a movie.
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Post by robp on Jan 22, 2023 5:20:08 GMT -5
My favorite Conan story and my favorite Howard story. I love every single sentence of it. pure romance, pure fantasy, pure pulp adventure. I have always hoped that someone would adapt it word-for-word as a movie. Agree, this one is ready made for a movie. Baffles me why movie people feel they need to write totally new stories for Conan when there are so many great original ones
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