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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
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
adventurous
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:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Cannibalism
I'm continuing to read/re-read a bunchy of Edgar Rice Burroughs books. I have read this story a couple of times and continue to be amazed by how good it is.
That said - I see ERB's typical confusing romance pattern. It is thankfully a small part of the book and is strangely unresolved in the novel. I'm also disturbed by the casual racism of the book. I realize this is from an earlier time, but the character of Esmarelda (while uncomfortably hilarious) is especially racist.
Overall, a classic novel and possibly one of the most famous pulps ever. ERB continues to be a wonder to me with his imagination at the dawn of the 20th century.
That said - I see ERB's typical confusing romance pattern. It is thankfully a small part of the book and is strangely unresolved in the novel. I'm also disturbed by the casual racism of the book. I realize this is from an earlier time, but the character of Esmarelda (while uncomfortably hilarious) is especially racist.
Overall, a classic novel and possibly one of the most famous pulps ever. ERB continues to be a wonder to me with his imagination at the dawn of the 20th century.
Ah, English nobility shall win out no matter the circumstances. Other than silly shit like that, this was all well enough. Rice Burroughs can tell a story, that's it.
I would have given 5 stars, since I really enjoyed reading it, but the book itself was so problematic. Some of the things were extremely racist and sexist.
I hate how the black woman was made the comic relief and acted incredibly stupidly.
I also hate that both women kept fainting any time something happened.
The worst thing was the "love" between Tarzan and Jane. I understand that it was an attempt at the "going back to nature" trope, but it was poorly executed.
Jane was the most shallow female character I've ever come across. All she needed was to be saved by Tarzan (because that is all women are good for, except for being wives and raising children, right?) and see some muscle and she was sold. (Even though she thought that Tarzan will force himself upon her (which he did want to do at one point))
I just can't get behind the giggling little girl, eating fruit and falling in love with the person who was literally holding her captive.
She would have given up all her life for a loin cloth.
Also, a "little" mistake in logic: Tarzan taught himself to read, alright. But how on earth did he know how to spell his name when he signed the first message, when he had no idea what the letters/words sounded like? Also, it is not possible to aquire language after twelve years of age, so I doubt he would have been able to learn French and pronounce any of the sounds.
I hate how the black woman was made the comic relief and acted incredibly stupidly.
I also hate that both women kept fainting any time something happened.
The worst thing was the "love" between Tarzan and Jane. I understand that it was an attempt at the "going back to nature" trope, but it was poorly executed.
Jane was the most shallow female character I've ever come across. All she needed was to be saved by Tarzan (because that is all women are good for, except for being wives and raising children, right?) and see some muscle and she was sold. (Even though she thought that Tarzan will force himself upon her (which he did want to do at one point))
I just can't get behind the giggling little girl, eating fruit and falling in love with the person who was literally holding her captive.
She would have given up all her life for a loin cloth.
Also, a "little" mistake in logic: Tarzan taught himself to read, alright. But how on earth did he know how to spell his name when he signed the first message, when he had no idea what the letters/words sounded like? Also, it is not possible to aquire language after twelve years of age, so I doubt he would have been able to learn French and pronounce any of the sounds.
There definatly were racist statements in this book, and Burroughs was obviously misguided as to what African people were like. I wasn’t entirely sure, being forwarned about this problematic aspect of the book, that I should continue to read it. However I was too fascinated with the idea of Tarzan to stop. I liked the book a good bit and plan to continue reading the series.
[The version I read was the free version through the Google Play store.]
I like the writing style of this book, it's engaging and moves along well enough. The content of the writing though? Not so much. This book is incredibly racist (non-white characters are frequently and condescendingly described as sub-human and brutally murdered) and much of it is spent mooning over how superior Tarzan is on the basis of his race and genealogy alone. All the characters, including Tarzan, have the depth of a puddle produced by a summer rain. I am actually a bit baffled by Tarzan's interactions with Jane, since in other media adaptations they spend quite a bit of time together and developing their relationship. In the book's canon, though, they literally interact once before falling madly in love and then don't interact again over the course of months (maybe years).
I'm not too stung over having read this, as the way it's written keeps it from being a complete bore. I am amazed as to how there are 20+ sequels to this book, and do not plan on reading any of them.
I like goodreads user Keely's review here, as it explains problems with the book in more eloquent detail: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42838890?book_show_action=true
I like the writing style of this book, it's engaging and moves along well enough. The content of the writing though? Not so much. This book is incredibly racist (non-white characters are frequently and condescendingly described as sub-human and brutally murdered) and much of it is spent mooning over how superior Tarzan is on the basis of his race and genealogy alone. All the characters, including Tarzan, have the depth of a puddle produced by a summer rain. I am actually a bit baffled by Tarzan's interactions with Jane, since in other media adaptations they spend quite a bit of time together and developing their relationship. In the book's canon, though, they literally interact once before falling madly in love and then don't interact again over the course of months (maybe years).
I'm not too stung over having read this, as the way it's written keeps it from being a complete bore. I am amazed as to how there are 20+ sequels to this book, and do not plan on reading any of them.
I like goodreads user Keely's review here, as it explains problems with the book in more eloquent detail: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/42838890?book_show_action=true
Definitely didn't age well, but an entertaining read
adventurous
fast-paced
Theoretically, this book could have been fine (albeit with some unsatisfying moments / ending); however, as to be expected it is a really racist and misogynist book. The depictions of Black people (and Africans specifically) are truly horrifying and the women are also inappropriately portrayed. I genuinely do like the idea of a commentary on the effects of civilization on our development; however, the other elements made this difficult to legitimately enjoy / take seriously.