FRwL

He is the man. And he was not an ordinary person, super super tough. What i read about him, he worked odd jobs nonstop while writing a lot, and only a bit of his work made it to the masses (Conan, Kull, Kane). Poor guy who went out like a flame too.

Hiro11

I can only speak to the Conan stories. It goes without saying that the books are naive, pulpy and childish. There's not much depth there beyond how awesomely capable Conan is. Howard seems obsessed with an extremely silly macho ethos. You can see Howard's (entirely understandable and human) insecurities laid out in his books.

However, there's something undeniably appealing to men about Conan's character: he's a strightforward guy, not given to speeches, self pity or vanity. Conan just hits shit with a broadsword if it doesn't do what he wants, there's no subtlety or deeper context to his actions. He's not stupid by any means, just doesn't see the point in wasting time debating options. Conan is also relentless, he never gives up and never despairs. He lives completely without fear or self doubt. It's unrealistic and inhuman but undeniably seductive wish fulfillment. That's why these books still sell ~80 years after they were written.

FRwL

^that is true and kind of a refreshment in this age of heroes always questioning themselves and redemption, as a 1 note character Conan seems to be the best of that.