For a guy who did not like detective fiction (and didn't think he could write it), Howard's God in the Bowl is brilliant, and a great example of an Occult Detective story in a fantasy setting.
The God In The Bowl is great. My personal favorite story is The Scarlet Citadel, but The God In The Bowl is a close second. It’s such a unique Conan story. It really stands out.
(Spoilers) As a mystery, probably even if you haven't read Howard before and know his thing for serpents, the answers aren't hard to figure out. Doesn't really matter, the atmosphere of the private collection was really eerie, the various attitudes of the guards and police kept the drama flowing on how fatally they'll piss off the barbarian, and the whole time your waiting for the supernatural shoe to drop, and boy does it with creepy style! Conan's revulsion and fear was was contagious, and you get the feeling he's lucky the child of Set was mostly obscured by the screen before he decapitated it, or he might have been as vulnerable as the accountant. Nice Lovecraftian end which calls back to Kull and the Shadow Kingdom.
The opening part is absolutely fantastic, and Conan's response to the guards is the best threat I've ever heard. I read the Ace paperback as a kid, and that line always stuck with me
I love the Del Rey Conan books! I had read some of the old L. Sprague De Camp books, and they weren't bad. Until you read actual Howard! It was nice to be able to get all of the Conan stories in one trilogy of books with so many extras. And when you let someone borrow them, you knew they were getting real Howard. So many people were put off by those old books and just chalked Conan up to being silly crap. The Del Rey versions are great for proving people wrong.
This was maybe the second Conan story i read, after 'Tower of the Elephant". I alwys liked it, even if it doesn't really feel like a Conan story. At that initial time i don't know that I even knew what a Conan story was "supposed to be", so i was up fora murder mystery, absolutely.
I know it's not the objectively best Conan story, but "God in the Bowl," might be my personal favorite. (Spoiler) There's a wonderful combination of the "real" world drama with the murder mystery, the supernatural threat of god, and the wonderful characterization of Conan himself. Such a great touch that he initially refuses to explain his reason for being in the museum type of thing only Howard would know to include. Personally, I find my favorite stories tend to include all three of those elements.
Fascinating I don't think I remember this one, will definitely check it out over the weekend! Looking forward to your thoughts on Tower of the elephant, absolutely top class that one indeed!
I’m a little confused. I like Robert Howard too and think he fits in the fantasy genre.. yet almost no top 10 list of fantasy authors by UA-camrs have him on the list. I’m not sure why that is..
I tend to think "The God in the Bowl" is one of the weaker Conan stories, though even in his worst stories Howard had good moments. It's as Lovecraft said he put himself into every story. Of course, all writers are uneven to some degree.
Definitely an anomalous story Michael, Howard's attempt to blend two genre - the weird tale and the detective story - with limited success. I can see why Farnsworth Wright might have rejected it due to how much dialogue there is relative to how little action. But it does reinforce for Conan how corrupt civilization is (beating a confession out of a suspect does not mean catching the guilty party). And I've never forgotten Promero's final words, "The god has a long neck! Oh, a long, a cursed long neck!" as he dies with a 'frightful convulsion'. Sprague DeCamp apparently has a poor reputation with Howard fans for his insistence on "improving" Howard's prose. Project Gutenberg Australia has the story but I'm not sure if it's Howard's original. Still, for me, any Howard is worth reading.
I love this story. A locked room murder mystery told in a fantasy setting of sword and sorcery. Very nice.
This yarn doesn’t seem to be overly popular amongst many Conan fans, but it’s always been a favorite of mine.
For a guy who did not like detective fiction (and didn't think he could write it), Howard's God in the Bowl is brilliant, and a great example of an Occult Detective story in a fantasy setting.
Terrific writing in The God in the Bowl.
The God In The Bowl is great. My personal favorite story is The Scarlet Citadel, but The God In The Bowl is a close second. It’s such a unique Conan story. It really stands out.
(Spoilers) As a mystery, probably even if you haven't read Howard before and know his thing for serpents, the answers aren't hard to figure out. Doesn't really matter, the atmosphere of the private collection was really eerie, the various attitudes of the guards and police kept the drama flowing on how fatally they'll piss off the barbarian, and the whole time your waiting for the supernatural shoe to drop, and boy does it with creepy style! Conan's revulsion and fear was was contagious, and you get the feeling he's lucky the child of Set was mostly obscured by the screen before he decapitated it, or he might have been as vulnerable as the accountant. Nice Lovecraftian end which calls back to Kull and the Shadow Kingdom.
The opening part is absolutely fantastic, and Conan's response to the guards is the best threat I've ever heard. I read the Ace paperback as a kid, and that line always stuck with me
I am currently reading the same book, the story Pool of the black one. I am really enjoying it! Thanks for the videos please keep them coming!
I love the Del Rey Conan books! I had read some of the old L. Sprague De Camp books, and they weren't bad. Until you read actual Howard! It was nice to be able to get all of the Conan stories in one trilogy of books with so many extras. And when you let someone borrow them, you knew they were getting real Howard. So many people were put off by those old books and just chalked Conan up to being silly crap. The Del Rey versions are great for proving people wrong.
Intriguing book, I really ought to read some Conan tales, someday.
🎵It’s the Robert E. Howard Show!🎵 Happy to see it back! I’m going to reread God In The Bowl today! Have a great day and be safe out there!
Great Video....I can't remember this story for some reason....I'm going 2 reread this ....this week.
Again Great Video Michael 👍😁👍
Thanks!
This was maybe the second Conan story i read, after 'Tower of the Elephant". I alwys liked it, even if it doesn't really feel like a Conan story. At that initial time i don't know that I even knew what a Conan story was "supposed to be", so i was up fora murder mystery, absolutely.
I know it's not the objectively best Conan story, but "God in the Bowl," might be my personal favorite. (Spoiler) There's a wonderful combination of the "real" world drama with the murder mystery, the supernatural threat of god, and the wonderful characterization of Conan himself. Such a great touch that he initially refuses to explain his reason for being in the museum type of thing only Howard would know to include. Personally, I find my favorite stories tend to include all three of those elements.
I want "Tower of the Elephant" NOW!!!
Happily, The God in the Bowl is in public domain, and can be found on Project Gutenberg.
Very cool.
I didnt mind this story. Not the strongest in that volume but its good. The Tower of the Elephant !! I hope Rhonda will be well behaved. 🤞🤞
Fascinating I don't think I remember this one, will definitely check it out over the weekend! Looking forward to your thoughts on Tower of the elephant, absolutely top class that one indeed!
I’m a little confused. I like Robert Howard too and think he fits in the fantasy genre.. yet almost no top 10 list of fantasy authors by UA-camrs have him on the list. I’m not sure why that is..
Still enjoying your videos, but the audio has been off lately. Sounds low and flat, always need to turn it up versus other videos.
I tend to think "The God in the Bowl" is one of the weaker Conan stories, though even in his worst stories Howard had good moments. It's as Lovecraft said he put himself into every story. Of course, all writers are uneven to some degree.
Definitely an anomalous story Michael, Howard's attempt to blend two genre - the weird tale and the detective story - with limited success. I can see why Farnsworth Wright might have rejected it due to how much dialogue there is relative to how little action. But it does reinforce for Conan how corrupt civilization is (beating a confession out of a suspect does not mean catching the guilty party). And I've never forgotten Promero's final words, "The god has a long neck! Oh, a long, a cursed long neck!" as he dies with a 'frightful convulsion'. Sprague DeCamp apparently has a poor reputation with Howard fans for his insistence on "improving" Howard's prose. Project Gutenberg Australia has the story but I'm not sure if it's Howard's original. Still, for me, any Howard is worth reading.
I suspect it has the original version from Weird Tales.
Powerful teeth? Seriously? Yikes.