I came across Robert E. Howard’s writings during my early adolescence. Probably like many other readers, the barbarian with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth was first, but thanks to a public library shelving NéO books translated in French by François Truchaud (some Clark Ashton Smith volumes from the same collection were on the shelves too); I found out early that Howard had written in other genres. I read these books voraciously and was hooked. JRR Tolkien came next –The Silmarillion being my introduction to the professor’s œuvre. Also, like Howard, I ‘m fond of historical adventures. His vivid stories probably were a part in my early interest in history, which I studied later.

I realized back then that some ‘Conan’ stories were not as good as the others. Young and naive, I believed Lyon Sprague de Camp‘s words when he blathered about the coherence of his chronology and how he polished Howard’s material in my translations of the Lancers. I found out that there was REH scholarship which disagreed with de Camp only at the turn of the century when I read Don Herron‘s essay “Conan vs. Conantics” online. It was an eye-opener to me. Financial and personal problems as well as lack of time kept me away from delving further into Howardian scholarship until the end of 2006. Then I joined discussion boards at Conan.com and Les Chroniques Némédiennes, where some Howardian scholars frequently contributed. I read almost every single word on Frank Coffman’s REH-e-APA, REHupa, TGR, The Barbarian Keep, Dale Rippke’s website and Les Chroniques Némédiennes. And of course, on the Cimmerian blog.

I was now reading books, magazines and websites not only by Howard, but also on the author and his creations. Deuce Richardson contacted me and we exchanged some thoughts on Howard’s pseudo-history. These discussions were stimulating. I also met in person and befriended French Howardheads such as Patrice Louinet, Simon Sanahujas and Fabrice Tortey –who have all edited and/or written books by or about the Man of Cross Plains or his creations.

Later, Deuce asked me to join the Cimmerian blog. Writing under the shadow of a giant of fantasy criticism like Steve Tompkins and on a site which had hosted renowned Howardian scholars such as Mark Finn wasn’t an easy endeavor. With such a legacy… how could I not disappoint?

Thankfully, I was warmly welcomed by most of my fellow bloggers.  I was proud to work with all of them. I hope that my translation wasn’t too bad. It has been an honor and a privilege to write on this blog with all those talented people.

So the 74^th anniversary of Robert E. Howard’s sad demise coincides with the retirement from fandom of my friend, Deuce Richardson and the final day of this blog, the “House that Leo built” as Rob Roehm –another former TC blogger– put it.

Adieu, Cimmerian.

Thank you Leo Grin for your outstanding contributions to Howardian fandom and for allowing me to write here. Thanks to all the other bloggers for their friendship and keen insights. Deuce, thanks for your dedication and all your deeds these last few years, my friend. Have a good life. It was great to stand in the shield wall with you, guys –and dear Barbara.

But most of all, thank you Robert E. Howard (January 22, 1906 — June 11, 1936), whose life and writings will be celebrated at Howard Days concomitantly with the publishing of this piece; thank you for your wonderful stories. They are not only fine literature, they also permitted me to meet fine people.