Book Review 239 // Queen of the Black Coast by Robert E. Howard

This next title in the series is described as one of Howard's most famous pieces. I am hoping this doesn't fall flat and delivers a good read.

Title: Queen of the Black Coast

Blurb: "Queen of the Black Coast" is one of the original short stories about Conan the Cimmerian, written by American author Robert E. Howard and first published in Weird Tales magazine c. May 1934. During the pseudo-historical Hyborian Age, Conan becomes a notorious pirate plundering the coastal villages of Kush alongside Bêlit, a head-strong femme fatale.

Due to its epic scope and atypical romance, the story is an undisputed classic of Conan lore and is often cited by Howard scholars as one of his most famous tales.

Review

Hm. Guess it had to happen. This one missed the mark for me. It was alright. It just fell wrong. Firstly the positives, Howard's world-building is impressive. The Conan adventures and settings have changed in every book, yet Howard has always managed to set the scene wonderfully. Also, the way he writes a story is effortless and easy to read. This style continues into this story, with me finishing it in one sitting.

The story is set at sea, within my favourite theme of pirates. Howard then sneaks in the makings of early Cosmic Horror within this setting. Now this is where I start having issues. His world-building is impressive, yet this monster/creature feels out of place. We know it comes from a dead civilization, and that's about it. It left what should have been a scary creature feeling flat and 2D. Almost rushed.

Then we have the racism and sexism in this title that you can't ignore. It is disappointing that the only two powerful people had to be white. It could have been amazing to have someone different set-up as the Queen, an opportunity definitely missed (though as I learn more about Howard, I sadly understand him to be narrow-minded in these topics). Then I also felt the Queen character was poorly used. Here we have a character who has risen to rank and power, leads a crew, and is an influential female figure, suddenly losing all control and throwing herself at Conan. What the hell!? If anything, Conan should have been throwing himself at her. And before you complain, I understand the story format of the muscle-bound hero saving the woman. That would still be the same, but damn, how cool would it have been to have them be more equal or even Conan in awe for a page or two.

If you enjoy Pulp stories, you will enjoy this, but don't be blinded to the issues within it.