Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Racism, Sexism, Murder, Abandonment, Colonisation
Minor: Cannibalism
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Tarzan of the apes: The adventures of Lord Greystoke Book One by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Years ago I found one of the the original Tarzan books and have wanted to read the series ever since. But considering how long ago it was written, it's been difficult to find any of the books. My brother finally found this book and I'm so happy for it.
The book starts of with Lord and Lady Greystoke on a ship, full of treacherous sailors planning mutiny. A good deed sees them spared from murder, but still marooned in an Africa still mostly unexplored by colonial influences. Here they face the dangers of a wild untamed world and soon perish. Except for their young son, who instead is saved by the big ape Kala, who has lost her own son. Tarzan grows up between the apes, and as he realises how different he is from the rest of the jungle animals, he also learns that he is of superior reasoning and intellect, which along with the strength and agility from living as a primeval man, eventually ensures his dominion over the jungle. As an adult he begins to yearn for others like himself and when he finally does meet such a group, he falls in love with the enigmatic Jane. But unlike the story that you might know, this Tarzan still has some surprises.
The book differs a lot from the movies. It's filled with prejudiced views about race and gender, but given the time it was written in, this isn't that strange. Just take note of this if you do intend to read the series. It does however explore topics about colonial times from somewhat multi-faceted views. It also juxtaposes the expectations of the time with the wants of living a life more free and unburdened. And shows how a coming together of the two different worlds could prove impossible. The wording used is beautiful though and I did really like the unfolding story and mystery of Tarzan's origins. The story doesn't have the idilic romantic ending from the Disney version but the adventure and passion in the story still makes for very compelling reading and is just as enjoyable. Definitely recommend.
Years ago I found one of the the original Tarzan books and have wanted to read the series ever since. But considering how long ago it was written, it's been difficult to find any of the books. My brother finally found this book and I'm so happy for it.
The book starts of with Lord and Lady Greystoke on a ship, full of treacherous sailors planning mutiny. A good deed sees them spared from murder, but still marooned in an Africa still mostly unexplored by colonial influences. Here they face the dangers of a wild untamed world and soon perish. Except for their young son, who instead is saved by the big ape Kala, who has lost her own son. Tarzan grows up between the apes, and as he realises how different he is from the rest of the jungle animals, he also learns that he is of superior reasoning and intellect, which along with the strength and agility from living as a primeval man, eventually ensures his dominion over the jungle. As an adult he begins to yearn for others like himself and when he finally does meet such a group, he falls in love with the enigmatic Jane. But unlike the story that you might know, this Tarzan still has some surprises.
The book differs a lot from the movies. It's filled with prejudiced views about race and gender, but given the time it was written in, this isn't that strange. Just take note of this if you do intend to read the series. It does however explore topics about colonial times from somewhat multi-faceted views. It also juxtaposes the expectations of the time with the wants of living a life more free and unburdened. And shows how a coming together of the two different worlds could prove impossible. The wording used is beautiful though and I did really like the unfolding story and mystery of Tarzan's origins. The story doesn't have the idilic romantic ending from the Disney version but the adventure and passion in the story still makes for very compelling reading and is just as enjoyable. Definitely recommend.
You have to read this book with the willingness to accept far fetched and unlikely happenings. If you can do that, it is a wonderful adventure tale. After a second reading I must say I really like this book. The character of Tarzan is amazing.
I absolutely loved this book! I thought it was going to be a horribly boring book and filled with all the angst and dark poetry that the rest of the books during the early 1900's were being written with. If I had known how much I would have enjoyed this classic, I would have raced to it sooner. I absolutely loved reading about Tarzan and his life in the jungle. Granted, I was not prepared for how *dark* this book was with its murder and rage, not to mention Tarzan was not often my favorite in the beginning because of his over abundant confidence and pushy personality, but over the course of the story I came to appreciate him a bit more. I also caught myself laughing quite often when Professor Porter was in the picture. Overall, the book is written in a very fluid and easy to read manner and is filled with adventure, romance, and a bit of childish imagination.
adventurous
fast-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:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Gore Vidal's preface is mostly fair to Burroughs in speculating that he was "innocent of literature" and unable to "reproduce human speech" in dialogue, at least in this book. I had to rephrase many sentences in my head before continuing to read, but in the end, found it worthwhile and enjoyable. Vidal was also on point when he emphasized the role of fantasy and daydreaming in this story. Not only are the events contained therein hard enough to believe, laced with incredible coincidences, but the pacing of the story feels very much like a dream. While I didn't find all the action sequences so remarkable, I would point out Burroughs' unsurpassed ability to create visual imagery. For the reader who is willing to use his or her imagination (and do a little mental revision), this story is a vivid and colorful adventure, full of silly characters and funny scenes that provide just enough authenticity for suspension of disbelief.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An iconic, daft, action packed, romantic romp which would be 5* if it wasn’t horribly marred with racist tropes and stereotypes.
It’s great fun when Tarzan is growing up in the jungle, rising through the ranks of his adopted ape tribe, dealing with murderous bullies, surviving encounters with other animals (don’t read this if you like lions), encountering another group of castaways, falling in love, travelling to America, finding some of the people there just as bad as the worst apes he grew up with, and nobly sacrificing everything for the woman he loves (the ending is very sad). But…
As it’s more than a hundred years old, it’s depiction of black characters is completely shocking. One is the stereotypical loyal but cowardly comic servant woman, most are portrayed as sadistic savages. Tarzan takes revenge on one for the killing of his ape stepmother, but then thinks nothing of murdering others to steal their weapons and jewellery.
Burroughs comes close to self awareness with a line about Europeans historically treating Africans worse than his tribe of cannibalistic torturers treat their victims, but then loses it again by telling us that Tarzan has inherited a superior character from his noble English ancestors.
It’s great fun when Tarzan is growing up in the jungle, rising through the ranks of his adopted ape tribe, dealing with murderous bullies, surviving encounters with other animals (don’t read this if you like lions), encountering another group of castaways, falling in love, travelling to America, finding some of the people there just as bad as the worst apes he grew up with, and nobly sacrificing everything for the woman he loves (the ending is very sad). But…
As it’s more than a hundred years old, it’s depiction of black characters is completely shocking. One is the stereotypical loyal but cowardly comic servant woman, most are portrayed as sadistic savages. Tarzan takes revenge on one for the killing of his ape stepmother, but then thinks nothing of murdering others to steal their weapons and jewellery.
Burroughs comes close to self awareness with a line about Europeans historically treating Africans worse than his tribe of cannibalistic torturers treat their victims, but then loses it again by telling us that Tarzan has inherited a superior character from his noble English ancestors.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Torture, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Cannibalism
Minor: Sexism