Read Order Conan Books Reddit

Okay, so you're diving into Conan, huh? Good choice! But then comes the inevitable question: where do you even begin? Seriously, with Robert E. Howard's original stories, the pastiches, the comics... it's a veritable jungle out there!

And naturally, like any self-respecting modern adventurer, you've turned to the oracle... I mean, Reddit. Smart move! Reddit's Conan community is surprisingly robust. They've debated this very question—the read order—more times than Conan's probably swung a sword (and that's saying something!).

So, what did you find over there? A unified, definitive, carved-in-stone answer? Ha! You sweet summer child. It's Reddit, remember? There are always conflicting opinions.

The Chronological Chaos

One popular approach is chronological order. Sounds simple enough, right? Follow Conan's life from scrappy youth to grizzled king. The problem? Howard wrote the stories out of order. Like, way out of order. He wrote whatever struck his fancy at the moment. Think Quentin Tarantino directing a Hyborian Age biography.

So, to read chronologically, you need a list, a really good list. And even then, different lists exist! Some argue for a certain placement of "The Phoenix on the Sword," others swear by another order entirely. Basically, you're diving headfirst into a rabbit hole of bibliographic debates. Fun for some, a headache for others.

But hey, if you're a completionist and love a good research project, chronological order might be your thing! Just be prepared for some serious detective work.

Publication Order: The Way Howard Intended (Sort Of)

Another school of thought is publication order: reading the stories as they were originally published in Weird Tales magazine. This has a certain appeal. It’s arguably closest to Howard’s original intent, or at least, the order in which the stories were first encountered by the public.

Plus, it avoids the headache of trying to piece together a perfect chronological timeline. But... (there's always a "but," isn't there?)… it's still not a perfect system. You're jumping around in Conan's life, experiencing him as a pirate one minute, a thief the next, and a soldier the next. It can be a bit jarring.

The "Just Read Them, Already!" Approach

This is my personal favorite, and I suspect it’s shared by many Redditors. The "Just Dive In" method. Pick a story that sounds interesting and go for it! "The Tower of the Elephant," "Queen of the Black Coast," "The Hour of the Dragon"... they're all fantastic.

Seriously, don’t overthink it. These stories are mostly self-contained. You'll pick up the backstory as you go. You might even find this approach more enjoyable, discovering Conan's world organically. Think of it like exploring a mysterious, ancient city – you might not have a map, but that's part of the fun!

The downside? You might miss a few subtle references or in-jokes. But honestly, who cares? You're reading Conan to escape reality, not to write a dissertation. Right?

The Reddit Consensus (If There Is One)

So, what does the Reddit hivemind actually recommend? It's a mixed bag, as you'd expect. But generally, most folks lean towards either a curated chronological order (using a list they swear by, of course!) or the "just read them" approach. You'll find plenty of threads dedicated to specific reading order lists, complete with impassioned defenses and counter-arguments. Prepare for some serious Conan-nerdery!

Ultimately, the best way to read Conan is the way that you enjoy it most. So, take a look at those Reddit threads, weigh your options, and then… pick a sword and start swinging! You really can’t go wrong, as long as you’re having fun. After all, isn't that the whole point?

Happy reading, and may Crom grant you good fortune on your Conanic quest!