Almuric
Book Review: Almuric by Robert E. Howard
It certainly needs to be suggested that Almuric by Robert E. Howard is one of the most archetypal pieces in the whole sword-and-planet subgenre, which gives readers an extreme thrill, an unadulterated and, at the same time, an incredibly interesting adventure in terms of action and discovery. A writer best remembered for drawing Conan the Barbarian, Howard employs the same pulp factor in this single-volume science fiction fantasy novel.
This space opera is the story of Esau Cairn, a man of great strength and a bone-crushing fighter who sees himself as a stranger to most of the modern world of Earth. Tired of the world and his inability to live in it because of his barbarian nature, Esau winds up on the planet Almuric with the assistance of a scientist’s invention. The Almuric world is represented as a ruthless, wild world in which only the fittest will survive. Esau immediately feels comfortable in it, and the new conditions transform him into a ruthless warrior rather quickly: soon he has rather fateful meetings with the different types of humanoid inhabitants of the strange planet: the savage, cannibalistic Gura and the exotic, lovely Yagas.
One of the most enthralling features of Almuric is the creation of the plot and characters. In short, the kind of place Howard makes is grim and lethal, in which the only way to exist is to fight and kill. Although Almuric is largely devoid of any civilization, the desert is a fitting setting for Esau since he had to fight against the civilization. The creative and dangerous jungles, the unusual creatures some of them terrifying, and the warring tribes are described in detail, providing that thoroughly pulp touch that readers of the actual pulp magazines of the time would have loved.
Thus, this character Esau Cairn is represented as a Howardian hero-figure, who is masculine, aggressive, prompt in decisions, and backed up by the instinct of survivance. What may be overly simplified concerning his personality, Howard makes up for it by emphasizing the action and basic instincts of the story’s antagonists. The fights are strong and fast, and since this is Howard’s audiobook, every fight looks desperate and powerful.
On the same premise, Almuric has its weaknesses. The story is presented spontaneously with little surprise in its progress or complications. The story of Esau, especially in this letter, is the story of livelihood more so, existence, trying to dominate which might lack depth in terms of development or character transformation to some readers. Also, the attitude toward female characters, which can be seen as rather sexist, may prove unpalatable to contemporary readers orientation of female characters, nor will the unremarkable treatment of female characters except Altha, the Yaga princess who proved to be a motive for Esau’s heroic act.
However it does so, Almuric remains an enjoyable read for lovers of pulp-adventure and sword-and-planet fiction. Howard knows how to write, his prose Is dynamic: he seems to engage the readers into the density of action he has set. The novel offers what it claims, is vulgar and pure savagery in an environment otherwise recognizable as a sci-fi setting. People familiar with works of Howard and lovers of the genre should get a kick out of this story of a man who discovers where he belongs – not on Earth but in the barbaric world of Almuric.
Verdict: While Almuric might not have a very rich and intricate plot, it is an amazingly stylish, unpretentious, fast-paced adventure and an excellent example of pulp at its best with all the virtues and flaws it implies being at the same time a fine demonstration of what Howard could do at his best. If you’re a fan of the sword-and-planet subgenre or you simply like your adventures sharp and dangerous in the completely uncharted, hostile environment – here’s your book.
