Robert E. Howard: A Literary Biography

David C. Smith's biography tracks the life of pulp fiction writer Robert E. Howard from his Texas childhood through his prolific writing career and death in 1936. The book incorporates extensive research from Howard's letters, manuscripts and contemporary accounts. Smith examines Howard's relationship with his parents, his experiences growing up in oil boom towns, and his development as a writer for Weird Tales and other pulp magazines. The biography pays special attention to Howard's correspondence with H.P. Lovecraft and other writers, providing context for his creative process. The book chronicles Howard's creation of characters like Conan the Barbarian, Solomon Kane, and Kull while documenting his struggles with depression and his mother's declining health. Smith includes analysis of Howard's diverse body of work across genres including fantasy, horror, boxing stories, and historical adventures. This biography presents Howard as a complex figure whose dark themes and violent narratives reflected both the harsh realities of his Texas environment and deeper questions about civilization versus barbarism. The author draws connections between Howard's personal experiences and the mythic power of his enduring literary creations.

Readers describe this biography as thorough and well-researched, drawing heavily from Howard's letters and personal papers. Most appreciate Smith's focus on Howard's writing career and literary analysis rather than just biographical details. Likes: - Detailed examination of Howard's creative process - Analysis of how Howard's life experiences influenced his work - Coverage of his relationship with literary peers - Clear writing style free of academic jargon Dislikes: - Some readers found too much emphasis on Howard's correspondence - Limited coverage of his early life - Occasional speculation about Howard's mental state - Price point considered high by some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (47 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (12 reviews) Notable reader quote: "Smith succeeds in showing Howard as a serious, professional writer rather than just a pulp hack." - Goodreads reviewer The book receives particular praise from Howard scholars and collectors for its extensive bibliography and source documentation.

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🌟 David C. Smith spent over a decade researching Howard's life, including conducting extensive interviews with people who personally knew the pulp fiction writer 📚 The biography explores how Howard's complex relationship with his terminally ill mother influenced his writing, particularly his views on death and mortality 🗺️ The book details Howard's deep connection to Texas and how the state's frontier history shaped his storytelling, especially in his Conan the Barbarian series ✍️ Howard wrote approximately 3.5 million words during his career, which lasted only 12 years before his death by suicide at age 30 💰 Despite being one of the highest-paid pulp fiction writers of his era, earning around $1,500 to $2,000 per year (equivalent to about $30,000 today), Howard lived modestly in Cross Plains, Texas