The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard
The latest book in Del Rey’s program to collect the works of Conan the Destroyer’s creator includes more and better horror stories than even Howard’s staunchest fans may have previously believed existed. Here are more tales of Howard’s arguably finest creation, Solomon Kane, and more classic tales of nightmarish things lurking just around the corner on the way to school as well as jumping out at far-flung travelers even in such places as a somewhat pulpish Africa, where they would be expectable. Howard’s vivid depiction of lurking nightmare recalls his contemporary H. P. Lovecraft, and his equally fine use of regional settings makes one think of early Manly Wade Wellman. One cannot do more than sample this volume without deeply regretting Howard’s short career, nor that Conan of Cimmeria so completely and for so long overshadowed the rest of his creations. Add Greg Staples’ grim-toned illustrations, and the resulting volume is a desirable acquisition for any fantasy collection. --Roland Green