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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
This book is hard to rate. The most interesting part of the story, Tarzan going from a feral human to a civilized one, is glossed over. But reading the original, with all its bigotry and sexism, clarifies why it had to be redone for modern movies.
I had to force myself to finish this book. It was so racist and sexist I very nearly put it down for good several times. The characters were stereotypical and annoying, and the situation was ridiculous. I will not be continuing the series. I know that it needs to be read with the time in mind - any book published in 1914 is going to have themes I probably dislike. But one so full of machismo and blatant nationalism/racism/sexism is one that I just can't reconcile.
"Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a timeless classic that tells the story of a man named John Clayton, who is raised by apes in the African jungle after his parents are killed. The book follows Tarzan's journey as he discovers his true identity and struggles to navigate between the two worlds he inhabits.
Burroughs' writing style is engaging and immersive, creating a vivid world that is both enchanting and dangerous. The characters are well-developed, with Tarzan being a fascinating and complex protagonist who grapples with his own identity and place in the world.
The plot is fast-paced and full of adventure, with plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader engaged. Burroughs' world-building is exceptional, with intricate details about the African jungle and the different species of animals that inhabit it.
One of the highlights of this edition of the book is the inclusion of rare and previously unpublished materials, including letters and notes from Burroughs himself. These add to the overall depth and richness of the story, giving readers a unique glimpse into the mind of the author.
Overall, "Tarzan of the Apes" is a must-read for anyone who loves adventure, action, and a good dose of nostalgia. Burroughs' storytelling is masterful, and the book remains just as thrilling and captivating as it was when it was first published. Highly recommended for fans of classic literature and adventure stories.
Burroughs' writing style is engaging and immersive, creating a vivid world that is both enchanting and dangerous. The characters are well-developed, with Tarzan being a fascinating and complex protagonist who grapples with his own identity and place in the world.
The plot is fast-paced and full of adventure, with plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader engaged. Burroughs' world-building is exceptional, with intricate details about the African jungle and the different species of animals that inhabit it.
One of the highlights of this edition of the book is the inclusion of rare and previously unpublished materials, including letters and notes from Burroughs himself. These add to the overall depth and richness of the story, giving readers a unique glimpse into the mind of the author.
Overall, "Tarzan of the Apes" is a must-read for anyone who loves adventure, action, and a good dose of nostalgia. Burroughs' storytelling is masterful, and the book remains just as thrilling and captivating as it was when it was first published. Highly recommended for fans of classic literature and adventure stories.
I have a (completely irrational) fear of gorillas due to a childhood experience. This book was selected for book club, and I thought I would be fine, but the apes are just too violent for me.
Very different and a whole lot better than the Disney version, which I guess can be expected cause a straight adaptation of this book would easily be rated PG-13. Liked the twist ending a lot.
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Is it corny? Yes. Is it a little racist? Yes. Did I love the book? Yes. Anyone who loved Disney's Tarzan as a kid would love this book, just keep in mind that it's over 100 years old and the values, gender roles, and world perspective are different than the modern day. A lot of people complain that this book isn't realistic, that a lot of credit is given to Tarzan because of his "superior race", refering to him being homosapien instead of ape, such as learning to read using books left behind by other humans. Well damn Karen, it's a fantasy adventure book, nothing is realistic. The book is very entertaining and shouldn't be treated as a real situation if a baby abandoned in the jungle. Just enjoy the story of an absolute Chad with a good heart.
I wonder, tough quite beside the point, why the author doesn't go inside the deeper wells of human thought. Tarzan doesn't seem to consider his behaviour much. Is it because he falls instinctevly in sync with the upper crust society or rather that his unnatural fairness and frankness come from a deeply ingrained animal psychology of truth and acceptance of consequences?
I read this when I was considerably younger and the novelty of the idear struck me as original. As far as I recall this work is based on a quite virgin idear that remained later on quite unexplored in literature.
I read this when I was considerably younger and the novelty of the idear struck me as original. As far as I recall this work is based on a quite virgin idear that remained later on quite unexplored in literature.
A decent book for a classic, but definitely quite racist and classist. Willing to read the next in the series for sure and different from any of the adaptations I've seen.