D&D General No One Reads Conan Now -- So What Are They Reading?

[TiQuinn]

I like Howard's prose a lot, but I think the best way to experience his stories are their adaptations by Dark Horse Comics from the 00s.

I'll have to check those out!

 

[Bedrockgames]

I think if you want to understand why later generations of fantasy fans aren't interested in works like Conan as inspiration for their games or even as literature to read (as well as it's wanning influence on the official game)... This is probably a key factor and could use some discussion around it, as opposed to ignoring it while praising only what you feel are the stories virtues. There is so much choice now, why would they go back and read a probelmatic author... especially when there is a rising tide of authors actually exploring non-western fantasy... but yeah I agree... not going to change minds that are already made up.

Edit: As an example I'd like a Conan fan to maybe list some stories that aren't or at the least are less problematic... or even stories of Conan by other authors that don't contain any of those elements... and yet anytime there's an inkling of discussing this aspect of the author and his stories there's this rush by certain posters/Howard fans to shut it down which in turn just makes me more confident there isn't much there worth reading at all.

If it were never discussed it would one thing. But it feels like this is all we discuss and it never shifts anything. i am just pointing out we have had lots of discussions about this kind of topic and they usually end up taking over the thread

 

[Imaro]

If it were never discussed it would one thing. But it feels like this is all we discuss and it never shifts anything. i am just pointing out we have had lots of discussions about this kind of topic and they usually end up taking over the thread

And I'm saying it isn't discussed... it's shut down whenever its brought up. Case in point.

 

[Reynard]

I'll have to check those out!

That series is a mix of adaptations and original tales.

 

[Divine2021]

I just read Conan last week lol, blanket statements are so lame.

 

[Bedrockgames]

And I'm saying it isn't discussed... it's shut down whenever its brought up. Case in point.

I think we just disagree there. I apologize if you think I am shutting you down. I am not trying to tell you what to post or not. But I think not only is it brought up, we discuss it all the time whenever someone like Lovecraft or Howard comes up, and it becomes a flame war. My personal view is people should read the stuff for themselves, decide what to think of it for themselves and how much it impacts their enjoyment of the stories. If it were a topic that people could have a reasonable conversation about, that would be one thing, but the conversations tend to go off the rails

 

[DinoInDisguise]

If it were a topic that people could have a reasonable conversation about, that would be one thing,

There needs to be a presumption of grace and goodwill.

In my experience on these forums, these types of conversations lack that. The one time I meaningfully engaged in one, I was mocked. As such, I just remove myself from those conversations at the first signs of the discussion. I doubt I am alone.

I hope that if these conversations are had, in this thread or elsewhere, that we can extend the respect and kindness that is deserved to all people who choose to engage in it.

 

[Umbran]

Do we have to have this conversation again?

Mod Note:

We?

Other folks were having a discussion that seems pretty relevant to the thread topic, and you inserted yourself to try to stop it. So, you being part of the "we" is entirely voluntary.

I think we just disagree there. I apologize if you think I am shutting you down. I am not trying to tell you what to post or not.

With respect, this looks like a pretty solid, if passive-aggressive, attempt to control the path of the conversation.

. My personal view is people should read the stuff for themselves, decide what to think of it for themselves and how much it impacts their enjoyment of the stories

Yes. Now, perhaps apply that to your own reading of threads? Read it for yourself, make up your own mind. And if you don't like it, read something else!

. If it were a topic that people could have a reasonable conversation about, that would be one thing, but the conversations tend to go off the rails

So, you'll pre-emptively take it off the rails?

I am very sorry if you don't like people discussing these flaws in older works of genre fiction. If it seems redundant to you, please find another conversation that isn't, rather than try to control what others discuss. Thanks.

 

[Retreater]

Everyone in my group is voraciously reading Dungeoncrawler Carl. Some are fans of Brandon Sanderson.
For me, last month I started RA Salvatore's Icewind Dale trilogy (for the first time).

 

[Mistwell]

Look, Conan hasn't been relevant for over a decade

The new Savage Sword of Conan, and Conan the Barbarian, comics from Titan Comics seem to be doing pretty well.