Robert E. Howard Readers discussion

Reading the third volume of Robert E. Howard's collected letters, I came acrosss this quote: "I realize the object of 'good government' is not to fulfill what you call the catch slogan of liberty. no; its object is to emasculate all men, and make good little rabbits and guinea pigs out of them that will fit into the nooks designed for them, and stay there contentedly nibbling their fodder until they die of inanition." ~Robert E. Howard, letter to HP Lovecraft, March 6, 1933.

I had to look up "inanition", the lack of mental or spiritual vigor and enthusiasm. He's right.

It was a new word for me, too!

Sounds like REH and I have the same theory there lol. I am definitely going to have to look for a moment to use "inanition" in a conversation!

Still reading the third volume, and (without having read HPL's side) it sure seems like HP Lovecraft doesn't understand what REH is saying most of the time (he seems clear to me), as REH is almost always on the defensive.

I've been reading the third volume off and on myself for what seems like forever. I just read a letter or two at a time. If you want to see HPL's side get the following:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEANS-TO-FREE...
It does seem that HPL didn't get it but I don't think he was that dumb. I think he liked to egg Two Gun Bob on. He liked to argue with him. Howard was reverential toward HPL as many of the other Weird Fiction authors were and found himself often defending his position without wishing to offend "The Master". After all, HPL was the inspiration for many of the authors of Weird Fiction at the time. He was even offered the job of editor at Weird Tales at one time but turned it down because he didn't want to move.

I've considered getting those books to see HPLs side. Interesting to consider that he was just egging REH on.

I also just read a letter or two at a time, between each book that I read.

I think Lovecraft sometimes had his tongue planted firmly in his cheek but that is just speculation. HPL wrote very long elaborate handwritten letters and I don't think Howard wanted to be outdone by that either so he often wrote long histories of the west, etc. They talked about everything but the whole Barbarian vs Civilization arc that ran through their letters was so interesting. Howard the frontiersman and HPL the 18th Century English gentleman!
BTW I grew up in RI so I know and have been to all of Lovecraft's haunts and I live about 2 hours from Cross Plains now so I've gotten to check out many of Howard's haunts as well. Their correspondence was the stuff of legend.

Also wanted to mention that Arkham House published HPL's letters in 5 or 6 volumes. They are expensive for those that are out of print but I think they still have volume 3 and 5 for sale. I used to own about 4 of the volumes but sold them about 20 years ago when I was broke and needed money.

That's awesome that you got to live in both areas and see so many of those places. At times I feel a lot like REH may have felt in that I hardly ever get out of my own stomping grounds.

Howard first contacted H.P.L. after Lovecraft's "Rats in the Walls" appeared in Weird Tales. At the end of his story, Lovecraft used a Gaelic phrase which, according to him, should have been in Cymric since the story takes place, not in Ireland, but in Wales. This gaffe did not concern H.P.L. overmuch because he figured no one would take note of it. Howard, with all his passion for ancient Éire, did notice it. As a result, Farnsworth Wright, the editor of Weird Tales, sent Howard's inquiry to Lovecraft. Thus started six years of correspondence between the two writers.

The Howard/Lovecraft letters are fascinating, and their topics are varied and far-reaching. They discuss things like: racial origins; politics; history; physical prowess versus mental prowess; art; and, as Michael stated, the merits of civilization and barbarism.

It's interesting to note how R.E.H. addresses H.P.L. as "Mr. Lovecraft." Based upon the letters, I think Howard probably felt intimidated by Lovecraft's erudition; he may also felt inferior because of his lack of education. Nevertheless, upon reading some of their letters, you get the sense that Howard feels he is in tune with the realities of life , more so than his safe and secluded pen-pal in Providence.

Another interesting, early letter Howard sent Lovecraft is the one where he inquires about the Cthulhu mythos. It seems Howard thought they were bona-fide myths. When Lovecraft told him that he had invented Cthulhu, the Necronomicon, and the race of The Old Ones, R.E.H. was mightily surprised.

As O Ruairc mentions, Howard had a very reverential attitude toward HPL. There were times when HPL seemed to totally misunderstand REH and seemed to make fun of him for thinking the way he did. I believe he just enjoyed arguing with him and probably thought of him as an uncultured provincial but with great literary talent. I believe he really valued his friendship and enjoyed hearing his point of view. REH at times was offended and would have liked to get on to other topics but HPL would not let it go.
I want to mention another book that may interest you all. It's called Lovecraft's New York Circle: The Kalem Club 1924-1927
http://www.amazon.com/Lovecrafts-New-...
This is based on letters as well from HPLs friends. Lovecraft's friends were mainly literary types. I began reading this book a little at a time. I often read several books at a time. I wish I could absorb them all at once!
BTW most people I know are surprised when they found out that the Necronomicon is not real. HPL did a fantastic job of selling that.

I actually ran across one of those guys who thought it was real on FB a week or so ago on one of the REH pages. He was convinced he owned a Necronomicon written by HPL - and of course, he merely owned the Simon text (LOL!).

It is fascinating reading REH's letters to HPL. One of these days I have to get the books (mentioned in this thread) that present HPL's letters.

I don't know if any of you have been watching "True Detective" on HBO but there are many references to Robert W Chambers' book "The King in Yellow" which was the primary inspiration for HPL in utilizing an Occult tome as a device in his writing. I read it a few years ago. It is very subtle but no less horrifying or clever. Chambers' borrowed from Ambrose Bierce as well.
I am sure many of you know this stuff but thought I would pass it on for those who may not know.

I've thought about reading "The King in Yellow". KEW used it in his work as well.

Even Raymond Chandler borrowed from it. He named a short story after it and mentioned the book in the story.

I've heard of the "The King in Yellow" for years, but haven't ever read it. I really need to.

You can get The King in Yellow on Gutenberg for free here:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/8492

I took a quick look. The first paragraph is a doozy & lays out quite an alternate history.

But as you read the first story you'll find that you have an unreliable narrator. It's worth the read. The first 4 stories in the book deal more directly with "The King in Yellow".

Thank you!