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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Like many of the other reviewers, I was surprised at how much I liked this book. For its genre, the writing is excellent. It is fast-paced, evocative,and dramatic. I was drawn in immediately.
I'm actually reading this book to my partner at bedtime each night. Not every book reads well out loud, but this one does.
Clearly, the book was written in another era that was unconscious about issues like white supremacy and colonization. While understanding the historical context, it still leaves me uneasy with the realization that this book would be offensive to Black people, who are depicted as "savages", in contrast to Tarzan, who is at the same time the ape-man and also the noble Lord Greystoke.
The book is a classic, not because it's high literature, but because it's a rolicking good adventure. It also has had a major cultural impact, particularly, as an earlier reviewer pointed out, on Hollywood.
This book is inspiring me to return to some of the other classic adventure stories that I haven't read for decades.
I'm actually reading this book to my partner at bedtime each night. Not every book reads well out loud, but this one does.
Clearly, the book was written in another era that was unconscious about issues like white supremacy and colonization. While understanding the historical context, it still leaves me uneasy with the realization that this book would be offensive to Black people, who are depicted as "savages", in contrast to Tarzan, who is at the same time the ape-man and also the noble Lord Greystoke.
The book is a classic, not because it's high literature, but because it's a rolicking good adventure. It also has had a major cultural impact, particularly, as an earlier reviewer pointed out, on Hollywood.
This book is inspiring me to return to some of the other classic adventure stories that I haven't read for decades.
It's hard to accurately rate this one from a modern perspective. I can't help but see the racist, classist, and sexist tropes, but I also recognize it as a product of its time. It's certainly interesting from that perspective.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To address the Tantor in the room - yes, the racism in this book is out of control. Black Africans are constantly dehumanized, and Esmeralda gets even worse treatment. I was initially surprised because at the very beginning the book does point out Black Africans are being cruelly abused by the Belgians and don’t deserve it (though the complexities of this animosity are dropped when it becomes a more important plot point later) but seems to circle around to the idea that even though they’re sub-human, Black Africans don’t deserve that treatment, which is certainly a take. Bonus points for the pro-Confederacy line.
As for the story itself, it was a fun adventure with plenty of peril and heroic rescue. I came to truly believe in Tarzan’s jungle prowess after seeing every other character blunder their way to what would have been certain death. The theme of civilization versus nature was interesting, if left unresolved to make way for more Tarzan stories. The subplot about Tarzan’s identity was unexpected and added some good dramatic tension. If I were a contemporary reader, I probably would’ve picked the next one up to continue the story.
As for the story itself, it was a fun adventure with plenty of peril and heroic rescue. I came to truly believe in Tarzan’s jungle prowess after seeing every other character blunder their way to what would have been certain death. The theme of civilization versus nature was interesting, if left unresolved to make way for more Tarzan stories. The subplot about Tarzan’s identity was unexpected and added some good dramatic tension. If I were a contemporary reader, I probably would’ve picked the next one up to continue the story.
This book is hilarious. It's not a comedy, and Burroughs wasn't a comedy writer, so it's not funny the way a Christopher Moore or a Douglas Adams is funny, but rather funny in the way all pulp novels are kind of ridiculous. Tarzan is a perfect man, Jane is close to blond bombshell, and everything that happens is over-the-top and, at best, just this side of believe-able.
But it shines for that. It's easy to see why Tarzan became huge. Burroughs didn't hold back, he didn't try to make it deep or turn it into satire, he just simply figured "Here's a dude who can act like an ape, time for adventure." The ending felt a bit rushed, but I think it's easy to let that go.
If you want a nice, easy, over-the-top pulp story with an awesome cover, this is a great way to go.
But it shines for that. It's easy to see why Tarzan became huge. Burroughs didn't hold back, he didn't try to make it deep or turn it into satire, he just simply figured "Here's a dude who can act like an ape, time for adventure." The ending felt a bit rushed, but I think it's easy to let that go.
If you want a nice, easy, over-the-top pulp story with an awesome cover, this is a great way to go.
This book was way better than I thought it was going to be! The writing is elegant yet very clear and the characters are so vivid! The end was a great surprise to me though... I might just have to read the others to see what happens. As of now, it was not at all what I thought!!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Emmä kestä niin hauska. Aikansa tuote, mutta tavallaan aikaansa edellä. Ja hyvää viihdettä
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow, this was surprisingly good. It was very different than I expected it to be. I was immediately drawn into the story.
I particularly enjoyed the beginning arc covering Tarzan's parents and how they came to be stranded in Africa. The book continued to hold my interested and ended on a strong note. I look forward to reading The Return of Tarzan.
We discussed this book in a special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-247-lockdown-recommendations-books
I particularly enjoyed the beginning arc covering Tarzan's parents and how they came to be stranded in Africa. The book continued to hold my interested and ended on a strong note. I look forward to reading The Return of Tarzan.
We discussed this book in a special episode of the All the Books Show: https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/episode-247-lockdown-recommendations-books