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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The general trend of "classic" science fiction is as Michael Moorcock rightly pointed out crypto-fascists dictating their own perverted utopias, whether through Heinlein's fetishistic militarism, or Rand's sociopathic heroes. Burroughs is the progenitor of them all, and Tarzan of the Apes is a love song to phrenology and eugenics-a poor man's Mein Kampf. The hero is an Englishman, Nordic and blonde he holds sway over Africa's jungles with his "superior brain," killing both Africans and Apes with hardly any distinction between the two, and even less remorse. The novel is one that has long outlived its time, and acceptability.
So the imperialism, colonialism, sexism, and racism of this book didn’t age very well.
A fantastic read and nothing like the Disney movie. It ends on a big cliff hanger.
I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. After years of my Dad recommending, I finally gave in and read it. I’m so glad I did. I found the writing refreshing to say the least.
The book remains an action packed classic. It also has many issues with it. A great work though in imagination and character creation.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Great adventure, the action remains timeless and it is an interesting look at society from the perspective of a character who really knows the difference between 'want' and 'need'. This novels picture of mankind is at times both condemning and lauding.
I came to this with no real expectations (certainly not high ones anyway) yet found myself pleasantly surprised. Tarzan is an enjoyable read and made a nice corollary to The Jungle Books. More violent and pulpy than the rather eloquently and intellectually depicted world of Mowgli we're instead rewarded with a great period adventure story; a proper boys' own romance with a surprisingly downbeat ending.
Tarzan is wonderfully perfect in everything he does, naturally good at what ever he turns his hand to; he's a fun character to read. The animal world is rich and varied, violent and compelling and contrasted nicely with the advent of other humans (both the outdated and stereotypical black tribe and the white westerners). It's not high art but it is fun and compelling.
Sure, it's horribly offensive in some depictions and even for the era was rather old fashioned and behind the times (the odd counter evolution nature of the ape tribe was an interesting throwback) but I think that it can be understood as such and accepted as an historical article. I think this would be a great book to read to kids, boys and girls alike and should provide a lot of discussion points along the way.
I'd be keen to read some more in the series though Wikipedia informs me there are another 24 official stories and that's a bit too much for me. This is recommended though to anyone with a sense of the wild.
Tarzan is wonderfully perfect in everything he does, naturally good at what ever he turns his hand to; he's a fun character to read. The animal world is rich and varied, violent and compelling and contrasted nicely with the advent of other humans (both the outdated and stereotypical black tribe and the white westerners). It's not high art but it is fun and compelling.
Sure, it's horribly offensive in some depictions and even for the era was rather old fashioned and behind the times (the odd counter evolution nature of the ape tribe was an interesting throwback) but I think that it can be understood as such and accepted as an historical article. I think this would be a great book to read to kids, boys and girls alike and should provide a lot of discussion points along the way.
I'd be keen to read some more in the series though Wikipedia informs me there are another 24 official stories and that's a bit too much for me. This is recommended though to anyone with a sense of the wild.