The Vale of Lost Women

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Vale of Lost Women is one of the original stories by Robert E. Howard about Conan the Cimmerian, written in the 1930s but not published in his lifetime. It has been published in the anthology Conan of Cimmeria: Volume One (1932-1933) (Del Rey, 2003).

[edit] Plot Overview

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

"The Vale of Lost Women" is another short story which, although included in the official lore of Conan the Cimmerian, was not published until long after the death of Robert E. Howard.

The story begins with Livia, a soft and civilized woman, as a prisoner of a jungle tribe, the Bamulas. Conan soon appears as the leader of a rival tribe. Thinking Conan may feel some kinship with her and assist her, Livia asks him for his help. When Conan balks at her proposal, Livia offers him herself as a sexual reward for rescuing her. Keeping his side of the bargain, Conan and his warriors slay the Bamulas and their brutal chief. But, when Livia sees Conan drenched in blood coming to immediately claim his reward, she breaks their agreement and flees to a strange valley with beautiful blossoms, dark skinned women and distinctly lesbian overtones. Conan pursues her and is soon forced to intervene again on her behalf.

[edit] Style

Like "The Frost-Giant's Daughter," the plot is minimal and overshadowed by Howard's prose; nevertheless, the story is memorable. The whole thing is told from Livia's point-of-view, and there is again a dream-like quality to much of it. Also, the creature from the stars which attacks Livia in the strange valley was inspired by the Cthulhu mythos of H.P. Lovecraft.