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duffypratt's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
In almost every way, this was a step down from the first book. In some ways, it's like the difference between Rocky and Rocky 2. In Rocky, he loses at the end, but it's a perfect and somewhat uplifting ending. In Rocky 2, he becomes the champ and it is just corny.
On the plus side, episode by episode, this book is somewhat enjoyable and fast moving. In today's parlance, Tarzan is a pure Mary Sue. He has plot armor which might as well have been given to him by the gods. He's seems to be less vulnerable than Superman. He gets shot, but it's no big deal. He goes overboard in the middle of the ocean -- barely an inconvenience. On top of that, no matter where he goes, he ends up being king.
On the minus side, the book is very disjointed. It goes from Paris, to North Africa, to Capetown, then back to the jungle where he was raised. Through it all, there is a Russian spy who serves as his antagonist, and that thread kind of unifies the book. But it feels more like a serial group of adventures than it does a book with a main thread. Partially, this is because Tarzan is the main character here, but in spite of his awesome adventures, he is basically drifting, allowing events to push him along since he pretty much suffers from malaise at having lost Jane.
On the worse side, the racism is worse than ever. While Burroughs seems somewhat critical of Western civilization, he can't help but heap scorn on peoples in direct proportion to how brown they are. Thus, the Arabs come off as being worse than the whites, and the blacks... But Tarzan, who has pure English aristocratic blood, has an instinctual nobility.
And then there is the incredible series of coincidences that lands all the major players in the same area of jungle where Tarzan grew up. There must have been thousands of ways to get all of these people together in a manner that was slightly believable. But Burroughs doesn't even try.
The book ends up making it work sort of as the conclusion of a duo-logy. In the process, it brings the main conflict of this book itself to a decided anti-climax, and leaves some loose ends that we are just not supposed to think about (the reaction of the sister to the Russian spy about his fate, for example).
Thinking back on what I've said, it sounds like I hated this book. But I didn't. Quite the opposite, I enjoyed it. I will continue reading some of the Tarzan stuff on my kindle, and perhaps some other Burroughs. He's easy to read and fun. But there are serious problems with this stuff if you pretend to take it seriously.
On the plus side, episode by episode, this book is somewhat enjoyable and fast moving. In today's parlance, Tarzan is a pure Mary Sue. He has plot armor which might as well have been given to him by the gods. He's seems to be less vulnerable than Superman. He gets shot, but it's no big deal. He goes overboard in the middle of the ocean -- barely an inconvenience. On top of that, no matter where he goes, he ends up being king.
On the minus side, the book is very disjointed. It goes from Paris, to North Africa, to Capetown, then back to the jungle where he was raised. Through it all, there is a Russian spy who serves as his antagonist, and that thread kind of unifies the book. But it feels more like a serial group of adventures than it does a book with a main thread. Partially, this is because Tarzan is the main character here, but in spite of his awesome adventures, he is basically drifting, allowing events to push him along since he pretty much suffers from malaise at having lost Jane.
On the worse side, the racism is worse than ever. While Burroughs seems somewhat critical of Western civilization, he can't help but heap scorn on peoples in direct proportion to how brown they are. Thus, the Arabs come off as being worse than the whites, and the blacks... But Tarzan, who has pure English aristocratic blood, has an instinctual nobility.
And then there is the incredible series of coincidences that lands all the major players in the same area of jungle where Tarzan grew up. There must have been thousands of ways to get all of these people together in a manner that was slightly believable. But Burroughs doesn't even try.
The book ends up making it work sort of as the conclusion of a duo-logy. In the process, it brings the main conflict of this book itself to a decided anti-climax, and leaves some loose ends that we are just not supposed to think about (the reaction of the sister to the Russian spy about his fate, for example).
Thinking back on what I've said, it sounds like I hated this book. But I didn't. Quite the opposite, I enjoyed it. I will continue reading some of the Tarzan stuff on my kindle, and perhaps some other Burroughs. He's easy to read and fun. But there are serious problems with this stuff if you pretend to take it seriously.
jsdrown's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first. Too much of the story relies on coincidence.
danidep's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cadillaceazy's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
almondraids's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
4.0
a great sequel, i will be listening to the rest!
ipanzica's review against another edition
3.0
This story had many twists and turns. Tarzan was a perfect boy wonder (Mary Sue) with what seems like superhero abilities but the other characters were more well rounded and had some great character growth.
allie_hilleson's review against another edition
4.0
The story picks up where Tarzan of the Apes leaves off.
Tarzan goes from appearing as a polished gentleman to returning to the jungle. Along the way he has adventures in Paris, the Middle East, and back in Africa. It also finishes up the romance between Jane and Tarzan started in the first book.
Graphic: There are a few descriptions of native battles as well as an almost completed human sacrifice.
Tarzan goes from appearing as a polished gentleman to returning to the jungle. Along the way he has adventures in Paris, the Middle East, and back in Africa. It also finishes up the romance between Jane and Tarzan started in the first book.
Graphic: There are a few descriptions of native battles as well as an almost completed human sacrifice.
papidoc's review against another edition
4.0
Sequel to Tarzan of the Apes. Another example of ERB's wonderfully imaginative story-telling. Though again it deals with timeless themes of honor and courage and nobility and love, this time it doesn't end with the tragic nobility of a self-sacrificing Tarzan. In the end, this time, he gets the girl.
jamesbullinger's review against another edition
5.0
Tarzan 2, wherein we find Tarzan lolling around Paris drinking absinthe and smoking. Again, I was surprised at how not-heroic Tarzan was, *very minor spoiler alert* he assaults police men and cuckolds a count. That's right, he hooks up with a married woman, and it's not even Jane!
The first part of this book wasn't great. In Paris Tarzan was bored and so was I. But then, *another minor spoiler* he becomes a spy. Yep, a spy, and a pretty bad spy at that. But, spying gets him out of Paris, and gets the plot moving. However, the story doesn't really pick up until half way through, when Tarzan finds himself back in the jungle. That's also when Jane finally returns to the narrative, and her story is actually even more entertaining than that of Tarzan.
Overall, this story wasn't as great as the first, but it's needed to round out some relationships left rough from the first novel. And, like the first book, there was an event at the very end that literally made my jaw drop.
Would probably be a 3.5, 4 by itself, but because of the link to the first, 5 stars (the first is that good).
The first part of this book wasn't great. In Paris Tarzan was bored and so was I. But then, *another minor spoiler* he becomes a spy. Yep, a spy, and a pretty bad spy at that. But, spying gets him out of Paris, and gets the plot moving. However, the story doesn't really pick up until half way through, when Tarzan finds himself back in the jungle. That's also when Jane finally returns to the narrative, and her story is actually even more entertaining than that of Tarzan.
Overall, this story wasn't as great as the first, but it's needed to round out some relationships left rough from the first novel. And, like the first book, there was an event at the very end that literally made my jaw drop.
Would probably be a 3.5, 4 by itself, but because of the link to the first, 5 stars (the first is that good).
crystalvaughan0603's review against another edition
Excellent follow up to Tarzan of the Apes. Imaginative and well written.