Customer Reviews

Kull: Exile of Atlantis

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the title proclaims, this book contains the Kull stories, including the fragments, by Robert E. Howard. No DeCamp, Carter, or Drake; just pure Robert E. Howard!

Out of the 9 Kull stories in this book, only two appeared in print during Howard's lifetime. The Shadow Kingdom and The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune were both published in Weird Tales in 1929. The Shadow Kingdom is a lively, fast-moving tale, foreshadowing numerous Conan stories, on Kull's battle against the Serpent Men of Valusia. In contrast, The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune is a moody tale, much more akin to some of Lovecraft's horror stories.

The other 7 stories are of variable quality. The Exile of Atlantis,reads more as a fragment than a complete story. Kull is only a bystander in the The Altar and the Scorpion. While some what predictable, Delcarde's Cat is a readable story. The appearance of Thulsa Doom in the story is done quite awkwardly though. Howard presents him in as a continual rival of Kull, but this was his first and only appearance in the Kull series. By This Axe I Rule, is quite readable compared to much of the sword and sorcery fiction published today, but is not Howard's best. The Striking of the Gong,is reminiscent of The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune, but instead of creating a sense of mystery, Howard only details and explains Kull's experiences. Swords of the Purple Kingdom�Eis similar to The Shadow Kingdom and By This Axe I Rule.

While enjoyable, this volume is not Howard at his best. It is clear why some of these stories didn't get published in WEIRD TALES while REH was alive, particularly when you compare them to the Conan or Solomon Kane stories. Compared to a lot of the fantasy written today though, this is great stuff! So while I may only give it 3 stars out of 5, it is still worth the cover price.

* If you're not--or not looking to become--a reader of sword-and-sorcery or fantasy tales, then you can probably skip the rest of this review and move on . . . unless you might acquire a taste for stories of a philosophical barbarian-king, whose axe or sword slays oncomers as easily as you might mosquitoes . . . *

OK, now that _they're_ gone: this intriguing compilation probably merits 3-1/2 stars, but I'll give one of the genre's cornerstones the benefit of the doubt. Be warned, though, REH's writing can be quite different from that of modern writers: sometimes brooding, sometimes utterly pulp-ish in its almost garish vividness. Nonetheless, it's that very quality that makes it so fascinating and, at times, as strong and elegant as the axe of the protagonist.

Speaking of whom, he is like Rodin's "Thinker" with larger muscles and longer hair. An Atlantian usurper of the throne of Valusia, he finds himself perpetually assailed by conspirators (whether domestic, foreign or, for something completely different, possessed of human bodies and serpent heads). One could thus group the stories here into a couple of categories: (1) The Conspiracies (The Shadow Kingdom, By This Axe I Rule, and Swords of the Purple Kingdom--the latter two being quite similar); (2) The Oddities (e.g. Delcardes' Cat, The Striking of the Gong and The Skull of Silence); and (3) The Unfinished (which are obvious). (So yes, be forewarned, especially if you need closure in your tales.)

REH's genius shows through most clearly in the Conspiracies, where one marvels at the power of his imagination--he seems to have created this pre-Flood world out of whole cloth! As noted, the writing is often fine, and from the viewpoint of the fantasy fan, this is foundational reading. From here, it's logical to read _The Hour of the Dragon_, REH's only novel and a tale of that legendary king who evolves from Kull of Atlantis: Conan of Cimmeria.

If I could describe Kull in a nutshell, it would be as a more philosophical, brooding barbarian than Conan, though just as interesting. And though Kull never gained the popularity that Conan did, I find Howard's Kull stories equally as good, especially if you are a Howard fan or a lover of old school sword and sorcery.

The setting of the Kull stories is the fictional land of Valusia. Kull is an Atlantean savage who has usurped the Valusian throne, and though he rules with compassion and fairness he is often secretly hated by the Valusians who see him as a red-handed foreigner not fit to wear the crown.

The Kull stories contained within this volume involve various court intrigues and the perilous adventures Kull is often forced to undertake. Most are good, some excellent, and only a couple would I rate as sub-par. The setting is dark and mysterious (and made more so by the gorgeous illustrations of Justin Sweet that fill this book), and Howard's lush, vibrant writing style is present as usual. If you are a Howard and/or Conan fan, you need to get this book, especially if you've never read Kull before. For the price you'll pay here, its worth every cent.

I am a BIG fan of Robert E. Howard's work, from Conan of Cimmeria to Solomon Kane. I started collecting the 1970's Conan paperbacks (by REH, Bjorn Nyberg, L. Sprague De Camp, and Lin Carter) a little while back, and have almost completed my collection. Not only Conan catches, my interest, though, and I'm interested in REH's other characters as well (did you know he used to write WESTERNS? It's true.). Thus, when I found the newer published editions of his works, I decided to buy his Kull compilation. Kull is an excellent book, combining a great many of Howard's antediluvian tales which take place before the Hyborean Age of Conan. Kull is more of a contemplative character than Conan, more...moral, I suppose one could say, more brooding, where Conan is more of a James Bond with a sword, which is part of his appeal. Kull, however, IS prone to outbursts, fond of intrigue and, of course, no prude when it comes to battle, and all are combined in equal amounts to make an excellent read. I actually prefer the Kull stories to the Conan stories in terms of characterization and plot, though the Conan stories are a gret deal more varied in their concepts and more action-packed. However, if you read this book, don't just stop here. There's a wealth of literature by REH out there just begging to be read. Check it out and enjoy!

As is pointed out by the editor of this volume, it's a mistake to view Kull -- as many people do -- as just a Conan prototype. The Kull stories stand well on their own merit and the character is not just a primitive version of Conan.

Still, I think it's clear that the Kull stories represent an earlier, less developed phase in Howard's meteoric writing career. In these stories, we can see Howard's story telling mastery in an earlier stage of development than in the Conan stories. It's noteworthy that Howard's first Conan story was based on one of his last -- and unsold -- Kull stories, "By this Axe, I Rule!"

For anyone who loves Howard's work, the stories in this volume represent an essential stage in Howard's development as a writer and story-teller. Also, Conan's Hyperborian world was quite literally built upon the ruins of Kull's Atlantean/Valusian world. To really understand and appreciate Conan, you have to know Kull.

Even if Conan had never been created though, it would still be worth the readers trouble to meet Kull. These are superb stories and very important to the development of the American school of fantasy writing -- what would later become known as "Sword and Sorcery" writing.

Sorry about that, but Robert E. Howard is a bit infectious, which is interesting because I made it to the ripe old age of 48 before getting around to giving him a try, starting just a few weeks ago....

OK, you can stop staring openmouthed with horror any time now.

I couldn't really tell you why, but one advantage to coming to him so late is that I got to start out with the real Howard, the raw and unadulterated Howard, thanks to these marvelous and authoritative Del Rey editions. I didn't have to suffer through Bowdlerized editions or attempted completions by somebody else. Because it was the earliest by internal chronology, I decided to start with Kull.

Introduction by Steve Tompkins: Interesting and useful, especially to a newbie like me. Points out that while Kull was not the first sword and sorcery hero, Kull WAS the first sword and sorcery series and the first American sword and sorcery.

Untitled Story (previously published as "Exile of Atlantis"): Unfinished fragment? Discarded beginning of the next story? There's no way to know, but this one and only tale of the pre-king Kull is vital to understanding the character. Kull dreams The Noodle Dream and then commits the "crime" for which he was exiled from Atlantis.

"The Shadow Kingdom": Slam bang beginning! Kull acquires his Pictish allies and friends in time to defeat a Hellish plot to assassinate him. While telling a creepy, disturbing tale, Howard gives a marvelous word picture of a kingdom dripping with unimaginable age. Also reprinted here: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows.

"The Mirrors of Tuzun Thune": Creepy little horror story. Kull encounters the eponymous peculiarly entrancing mirrors. Also reprinted here: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 2: Grim Lands.

Untitled Draft: Intriguing fragment that has Kull and the Red Slayers chase a man who has insulted Kull (quite literally) to the ends of the Earth and beyond. Presumably left unfinished because Howard couldn't come up with the "topper" of a climax such a beginning required.

"The Cat and the Skull": Disliked by many Howard fans, I rather enjoyed it. A somewhat silly beginning is saved IMHO by a marvelous adventure in and beyond the Forbidden Lake. Interesting villain's only appearance unfortunately.

"The Screaming Skull of Silence": Fascinating little story. "In the grip of a wayward perverseness, a common fault of kings," Kull sets out to do something Really Stupid. Fortunately, bull-headed courage manages to save the day and, wonder of wonders, improve the situation.

"The Striking of the Gong": Kull's version of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" didn't really appeal to me because it is mostly a philosophical discussion (yawn).

"The Altar and the Scorpion": Interesting little story in which Kull is only an offstage influence.

"The Curse of the Golden Skull": Time annihilating horror tale in which Kull is again only an offstage influence. Also reprinted here: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows.

"The Black City" (unfinished fragment): Intriguing concept that unfortunately gets no further than the creepy beginning.

Untitled Fragment: Unfinished tale by Brule, interesting because of its picture of Pictish government.

"By This Axe I Rule!": Later rewritten as the Conan story "The Phoenix on the Sword", rousing tale of Kull versus well planned assassination plot; the title is Kull's (and every executive's dream) response to entrenched, brain-dead bureaucracy. Also reprinted here: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 2: Grim Lands.

"Swords of the Purple Kingdom": Another rousing Kull versus assassins story; a lot of fun despite obvious similarities to the previous.

"The King and the Oak": Short poem about Kull also reprinted here: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 2: Grim Lands.

"Kings of the Night": Thrilling crossover with Bran Mak Morn that is really the latter's story guest starring Kull. Also reprinted here: Bran Mak Morn: The Last King and here: The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows.

Miscellanea: The "Am-ra of the Ta-an" Fragments -- two poems and three fragments about what is in effect Conan 1.0 as Kull is Conan 2.0, and three earlier drafts of Kull items, useful to the Howard scholar.

"Atlantean Genesis" by Patrice Louinet: An informative essay that among other things delineates the importance of the "Am-ra" fragments and postulates the literary sources Howard borrowed from or was inspired by.

Notes on the Original Howard Texts: Thorough (IMHO TOO thorough) notes on the decisions made to assemble these definitive texts. Do we really need a notation every time a spelling or punctuation mistake is corrected? Mostly of use to the Howard scholar.

Besides being mostly just plain fun to read, the "Kull" stories make for a useful comparison and contrast with the Conan who supplanted him. Now I am REALLY looking forward to reading the rest of this Del Rey series: The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian: The Original Adventures of the Greatest Sword and Sorcery Hero of All Time!, The Bloody Crown of Conan (Conan of Cimmeria, Book 2), The Conquering Sword of Conan (Conan of Cimmeria, Book 3), Bran Mak Morn: The Last King, The Savage Tales of Solomon Kane, The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 1: Crimson Shadows, The Best of Robert E. Howard Volume 2: Grim Lands, The Horror Stories of Robert E. Howard, and El Borak and Other Desert Adventures.

Although some argue that "The Shadow Kingdom" is the first Sword and Sorcery story ever published, I'm not sure that I agree. In my opinion, the earlier Solomon Kane stories could also be classified as belonging in this genre, the only real difference being a historical background rather than a fictional one. As fans of Howard already know, King Kull is sort of a prototype of Conan, and to be honest, by and large the stories are not as good as the Conan ones. Still, there are a lot a jewels here.

"The Shadow Kingdom" is, in my opinion, the obvious standout, and it should have been the basis for the ill conceived Kevin Sorbo fiasco. Kull battles a race of serpent men who can assume human form and have infiltrated all levels of society.

"By This Ax I Rule" was never published during Howard's lifetime, and was rewritten as the first Conan story, "The Phoenix on the Sword", which is also a better story in my opinion. The climactic fight scene, which is virtually the same in both versions, is trademark Howard: extreme graphically described violence and headlong action at a breakneck pace. That's one of the things that makes Howard's stories so fun to read over and over; they thrill you on a purely visceral level. When it comes to writing an exiciting action scene, Howard has no peers, past or present.

One of the most enigmatic things about the character Kull, which Howard never clarifies, is his asexuality. Kull has no interest in the opposite sex at all. Is he a virgin? Howard seems to be saying that he is. Why? Howard never explains. Anyone who has read the Conan stories knows that his sexual prowess is almost as legendary as his prowess with a broadsword. Why is such a manly character as Kull, so full of testoterone, so disinterested. I was hoping that the editor would give his thoughts on the subject, but he says very little about it.

The artwork is spectacular. I hope that they'll be releasing a deluxe full color edition in the future, but Wandering Star is now already a year behind on releasing "Conan of Cimmeria volume 3", which leads one to wonder about the financial health of this publishing house.

All and all, this is a good read for the casual fan Sword and Sorcery, and an essential addition to the serious Howard collector's library of works. I'm withholding giving it 5 stars simply because the latter Conan stories are so much better.

While Conan is R.E. Howard's most famous creation, I've always enjoyed the stories of Kull a great deal more. The brooding man of honor at the helm of a decadant nation has always held more fascination for me than the hack-and-slash adventures of Conan. If you like fantasy and/or pulp fiction, you MUST read this book!

Don't let the awful movie from a couple of years color your impressions of what these stories are. You'll find some echoes of them on the screen, but their true power can only be found in this anthology, the only place that I know where all Howard's Kull tales have been collected.

If you enjoy Robert E. Howard's Conan series then you will truly enjoy this book. It is written in they same style as the Conan novels. A story of a barbarian king trying to maintain his hold on a decadent kingdom filled with enemies whose only wish is to overthrow him.

An added feature to this book is the excellent artwork that fills it's interior. It is a fantastically illustrated work that I am proud to have in my library.

"Brooding" is the one adjective nearly anyone writing about Kull tends to use sooner or later. To illustrate the truth of this (and to give the undecided a taste of this collection), I can do no better than to turn the floor over to Kull's creator, Robert E. Howard. What follows is one of my favorite passages from the Kull story "The Shadow Kingdom". So--take it away, Bob!:

A Mounted warrior waited for the king just without the garden and Kull was slightly surprised to see that it was the same that had brought Ka-nu's invitation. No word was spoken as Kull swung into the saddle nor as they clattered along the empty streets.

The color and the gaiety of the day had given away to the eery stillness of night. The city's antiquity was more than ever apparent beneath the bent, silver moon. The huge pillars of the mansions and palaces towered up into the stars. The broad stairways, silent and deserted, seemed to climb endlessly until they vanished in the shadowy darkness of the upper realms. Stairs to the stars, thought Kull, his imaginative mind inspired by the weird grandeur of the scene.

Clang! clang! clang! sounded the silver hoofs on the broad, moon-flooded streets, but otherwise there was no sound. The age of the city, its incredible antiquity, was almost oppressive to the king; it was as if the great silent buildings laughed at him, noiselessly, with unguessable mockery. And what secrets did they hold?

"You are young," said the palaces and the temples and the shrines, "but we are old. The world was wild with youth when we were reared. You and your tribe shall pass, but we are invincible, indestructible. We towered above a strange world, ere Atlantis and Lemuria rose from the sea; we still shall reign when the green waters sigh for many a restless fathom above the spires of Lemuria and the hills of Atlantis and when the isles of the Western Men are the mountains of a strange land.

"How many kings have we watched ride down these streets before Kull of Atlantis was even a dream in the mind of Ka, bird of Creation? Ride on, Kull of Atlantis; greater shall follow you; greater came before you. They are dust; they are forgotten; we stand; we know; we are. Ride, ride on, Kull of Atlantis; Kull the king, Kull the fool!"

And it seemed to Kull that the clashing hoofs took up the silent refrain to beat it into the night with hollow re-echoing mockery:

"Kull-the-king! Kull-the-fool!"

Glow, moon; you light a king's way! Gleam, stars; you are torches in the train of an emperor! And clang, silver-shod hoofs; you herald that Kull rides through Valusia.

Ho! Awake, Valusia! It is Kull that rides, Kull the king!

"We have known many kings," said the silent halls of Valusia.

Now, I don't think you'll find as introspective a passage in any Conan story. As other reviewers have pointed out, these early stories were written while Howard was refining his style. They are more primal and idiosyncratic than the later, more smoothly-written Conan stories. Which series you prefer is a matter of personal taste, but the Kull tales (as I hope the above excerpt demonstrates) have the patina of a half-forgotten legend, lost in the mists of antiquity.

Let me add my voice to those praising the illustrator of this collection, Justin Sweet. His people are full of life, personality and movement--even when they are merely shown slouched in repose. He paintings are great (and it's a shame we can't see them in color) but even better are his black-and-white scratchboard drawings. His full-page depiction of the above scene (on page 25) is my favorite of all those in this lavishly-illustrated book.