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Thanks, Grammaticus. The Broken Sword is the better novel, but I do think there is a lot to be said for Anderson's attempt to transmit an ancient story to contemporary audiences.

I don't think you're far off the mark, Tim. Thank you for stopping by.

The pacing is an interesting case. I don't think it drags at any point, but it can be jarring to have the whole story suddenly focus on a new character for stretches at a time. I know it's presented as a fantasy novel, but it might help to think of it more like a series of linked short stories and novellas that all eventually lead up to a single climax. Thank you for your thought-provoking question, Smiti.

@@PeculiarNotions That's super interesting! Both as a stylistic choice in general and how it impacts the reader. Thanks so much for sharing that!

Great cut from Calvin and Hobbes.

I'm interested to see what all the full rule set will entail.

I believe I know what you're saying. Intentionally using Conan brings in a number of character and thematic elements that are a part of Conan even if they are not necessarily essential to sword and sorcery fantasy as a genre.

Thank you for stopping by, Tim.

Thank you, Grammaticus. Your videos on the same subject inspired my own analysis.

@@PeculiarNotions A ton of great content is coming out this Cimmerian September!

@@GrammaticusBooks I agree.

I appreciate your critical and technical advice. I'll certainly keep all your points in mind for when I'm able to have great control regarding my recording environment.

@@PeculiarNotions You do you man, it was just food for thought. Best of luck 🤞

@@TuckerLeeC Thank you. I won't toss aside honest advice nor wishes for good luck.

I appreciate the thumbs up.

I know exactly where you're coming from. All those aspect of the story really slowed down the novel and added nothing interesting to the plot or the characters.

One of the worst pastiche stories ever... and that's saying a lot. 😄

It was certainly not a winner. My experience with it and watching Cimmerian September videos from you, Grammaticus, and Michael K. Vaughan are inspiring me to make me own video about what makes a good Conan pastiche story.

There are much better Conan stories, even if you're just looking for that pastiche stores.

Thank you, Grammaticus. The few good spots aren't strong enough to make the whole book feel worthwhile. Now I'm working on a video inspired by your 3 rules for Conan pastiche.

I believe you. Almost every anecdote I've heard concerning him for that last 25 years or so paint him as a delightful, sometimes still mischievous man.

@@PeculiarNotions Yes indeed!!

No problem. Thank you for watching.

No problem, Grammaticus. I always enjoy your movies lists.

I'm not familiar with that story, but The Broken Sword is also grim and depressing for a long stretch of time.

You were one of the first people on youtube I can recall talking at length about this book. You put the book on my radar for sure, and I thank you for that. Moorcock has been vocal about his support of the earlier edition.

@@PeculiarNotions I've been selling it in my job as a bookseller for 40 years, raving about it all that time. In my view, you haven't read S&S until you've read this book.

@@outlawbookselleroriginal I think it should have wider recognition both for it's own accomplishment and for the influence it has had in the genre.

Thank you, Tim. I'd recommend it if your can fit it into your reading schedule.

Thanks for sharing those recommendations. I agree that one of Anderson's strengths as a writer is his incredible flexibility across multiple genres and subgenres.

I remember you commenting about your preference for the earlier edition. It certainly has its appeal.

Thank you, Grammaticus. I'm only sorry that it has taken me so long to get around to this novel.

I am glad the book sits so high in your esteem. I can certainly understand why Red Moon and Black Mountain has a strong following among its readers.

I'm optimistic about my upcoming reads.

It's okay. Even with bad books, if I learned something I can still count it as a win. I just wish this one was bad in the right way.

@@PeculiarNotions I hear you!

I'd recommend one of the original half dozen of the series. They seem like they're at least fun.

That's what I kept telling myself as I read this book.

Indeed.

No problem and I hope you enjoy it. It's not a large book, so there should be room for it in the House of Flimsy.

Thank you for the subscription, David. I'd be curious if you recommend anything by Lansdale in particular as a follow up to Savage Season.

I know I've seen it too, and while it's pretty good, the book is even better.

Even in its early goings Poul Anderson's The Broken Sword is holding my interest.

@@PeculiarNotions That's a great book PN, looking forward to your review (I do recommend the original vs the later edited version)

@@GrammaticusBooks Too late, Grammaticus. I'm reading the 1971 edition because it's the one I have, and Anderson's forward suggests he preferred his later edit for having less linguistic artifice to it. I hope you're still looking forward to the review all the same.

I totally understand, Grammaticus. TTRPGs can be a time-intensive hobby.

Red Harvest is an often overlooked novel from Hammett. It was the first book of his I read, so I always have a soft spot for it.

Such a witty statement.

Thank you, Smiti.

No problem. The book is only about 200 pages, but sometimes it felt much longer. I'll at least give it credit for not running to an obscene page count.

You're welcome, Paul. I just did my best to explain why this novel didn't work for me.

You're welcome, Tim. If you read A Memory called Empire, I hope you enjoy it. I know I did not, and that's putting it mildly.

@@PeculiarNotions didn't it win a Hugo? Now I'm nervous.

@@Tim_with_Tomes_and_Tales A lot of other people like it, but it just wasn't to my tastes. I'm also skeptical of a lot of titles that win awards, but again that's more about my mindset than anything else.

Grammaticus, that's a reasonable line of thought.

I've been pleasantly surprised by both books I've read in the Milan Quartet.

You're welcome, Tim. I'd be interested to hear what you think of Scerbanenco's stories if you read them.

You're welcome. It is totally cool if those elements appeal to you. Just because they didn't work for me doesn't mean that other readers won't gain something more from them.

Thank you, Grammaticus. I know that observation has a negative connotation, but it is also in line with what Morris wanted to achieve. Whether succeeding at that is something the audience wants is up to the individual reader.

You're welcome, Smiti. I don't know that his background in textiles has a direct influence on this book, exactly, but it was clearly something that inspired and motivated him to explore all different kinds of artistic expression from poetry to architecture to painting. My sense is that Morris was an energetic and creative person who tried his hand at and was successful in a lot of different fields.

@@PeculiarNotions Thanks so much for that insight!

@@booksmitin You're welcome.

You're welcome, Tim. One part of this Box of Paperbacks projects has been to examine why some of these books work or don't work for me. I can see the arguments for and against The Sundering Flood, but I think it's to the benefit of anyone curious about it to have a reasonable amount of knowledge and context before diving into it.