The dream snake

Name: The dream snake
Author: Robert E. Howard

By Robert E. Howard

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Science-Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories

About This Book

A man recounts a lifelong recurring dream in which he inhabits a lonely bungalow on wide grasslands, returns to find his servant missing and signs of disturbance, and then endures a night-long siege by a colossal serpent that circles the house. The narration emphasizes the dream's vivid realism and the narrator's inability to know whether it is fantasy or waking life, tracing escalating tension as dusk falls, the sounds of grass and a bulging door provoke immobilizing dread, and the piece probes obsession, fear, and the thin boundary between sleep and consciousness.

About the Author

Robert E. Howard

Robert E. Howard was an American author best known for his influential contributions to the sword and sorcery genre. He created the iconic character Conan the Barbarian, who first appeared in the story "The Phoenix on the Sword." Howard's work is characterized by its vivid imagery, fast-paced action, and a blend of fantasy and horror elements. His stories often explore themes of heroism, civilization versus barbarism, and the supernatural. Notable works include "A Witch Shall Be Born," "Queen of the Black Coast," and "Red Nails." Despite his brief career, Howard's legacy endures, inspiring countless writers and filmmakers in the fantasy genre.