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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
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animal world is rich and varied, violent and compelling and contrasted nicely with the advent of other humans (both the outdated and stereotypical black tribe and the white westerners).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animal world is rich and varied, violent and compelling and contrasted nicely with the advent of other humans (both the outdated and stereotypical black tribe and the white westerners).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.
I realize I’m likely poisoned against this book for this very reason, but I adored the Disney animated feature while growing up and was surprised how different it was from the source material. Burroughs take feels a little too contrived—two mutinies where the merciful mutineers spare the passengers and give them a generous supply of resources from their own stores? In the same exact spot?
I loved the character Jane in the movie and wanted to be a science girl like her; studying gorillas was so much more of a compelling reason for her and her father to be in the jungle. In the book, Jane is just sort of silly and annoying, really only good for being a damsel in distress. She doesn’t get to bond with Tarzan over learning to read and speak; instead he teaches himself to read because he’s just that amazing, and learns to speak from a French rando who’s there for some reason.
I actually think the Disney movie did a lot to give depth to this story working with Burroughs’ base elements, but in the end this is a classic pulp fiction novel where the characters aren’t very dynamic but the excitement is in the crazy, violent encounters that can be counted on at least once a chapter.
I loved the character Jane in the movie and wanted to be a science girl like her; studying gorillas was so much more of a compelling reason for her and her father to be in the jungle. In the book, Jane is just sort of silly and annoying, really only good for being a damsel in distress. She doesn’t get to bond with Tarzan over learning to read and speak; instead he teaches himself to read because he’s just that amazing, and learns to speak from a French rando who’s there for some reason.
I actually think the Disney movie did a lot to give depth to this story working with Burroughs’ base elements, but in the end this is a classic pulp fiction novel where the characters aren’t very dynamic but the excitement is in the crazy, violent encounters that can be counted on at least once a chapter.
Of course it's sexist, racist, appallingly dated, but it's got to be a good yarn, a well-made adventure that tells us something about the human condition or whatever, right? No. It's very bad, both technically and morally.
I read it as a prelude to [b:Tarzan Was an Eco-Tourist: ...and Other Tales in the Anthropology of Adventure|828245|Tarzan Was an Eco-Tourist ...and Other Tales in the Anthropology of Adventure|Luis A. Vivanco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347477316l/828245._SY75_.jpg|813943] which is up soon.
I read it as a prelude to [b:Tarzan Was an Eco-Tourist: ...and Other Tales in the Anthropology of Adventure|828245|Tarzan Was an Eco-Tourist ...and Other Tales in the Anthropology of Adventure|Luis A. Vivanco|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347477316l/828245._SY75_.jpg|813943] which is up soon.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
