Red Nails by Robert E. Howard (1936)
The story takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where a lone adventurer seeks to uncover the secrets of a mysterious and ancient city. He encounters a group of people who live in a hidden underground city, where they have developed their own culture and society. The protagonist becomes infatuated with a woman named Valeria, who is part of this group. She is strong-willed and independent, but also has a dark past that she keeps hidden. As the story unfolds, the protagonist learns more about the history of the city and the people who live there. He discovers that they are being threatened by an external force, and he must decide whether to help them or not. The narrative is driven by themes of survival, loyalty, and the struggle between civilization and savagery. The story explores the complexities of human relationships and the nature of power and control.
By Robert E. Howard · First published 1936 · Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery · 36,584 words
First lines
The woman on the horse reined in her weary steed. It stood with its legs wide-braced, its head drooping, as if it found even the weight of the gold-tasseled, red-leather bridle too heavy. The woman drew a booted foot out of the silver stirrup and swung down from the gilt-worked saddle. She made the reins fast to the fork of a sapling, and turned about, hands on her hips, to survey her surroundings.
What this Textopian page supports
Red Nails is listed on Textopian as a play by Robert E. Howard, dated 1936 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Robert E. Howard
- Date: 1936 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Sword and Sorcery, Heroic Fantasy, Action
- Length: 36,584 words
- Structure: 1 section, 706 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Red Nails by Robert E. Howard
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Red Nails?
- How does this play by Robert E. Howard fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Beyond The Black River by Robert E. Howard
- A Witch Shall Be Born by Robert E. Howard
- The People Of The Black Circle by Robert E. Howard
- When The World Shook by H. Rider Haggard
- Queen Of The Black Coast by Robert E. Howard
- Swordsman Of Lost Terra by Poul Anderson
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative features mythical elements, supernatural beings, and a richly imagined world.
- Adventure — The plot revolves around exploration, conflict, and the pursuit of treasure, typical of adventure narratives.
- Sword and Sorcery — The story includes heroic characters, magic, and combat, characteristic of the sword and sorcery subgenre.
- Heroic Fantasy — The protagonist embodies the traits of a classic hero, facing formidable challenges and adversaries.
Tags
Fantasy · Adventure · Pulp Fiction · Conan the Barbarian · High Fantasy · Sword and Sorcery · Action · Violence · Dark Fantasy · Gothic Horror · Supernatural · Mythology