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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Things I love:
1. Tarzan puts both a lion and a gorilla in a full-nelson.
2. Tarzan taught himself to read. From a dictionary.
3. He dug up pirates' treasure even though he didn't see any purpose for it, just because he didn't like them.
4. Tarzan learned French in about two weeks from a wounded French soldier.
Things I don't love:
1. Tarzan grew up shaving with a knife. Even though he had never seen a human until grown, he knew it was unseemly to have hair on one's face like an ape.
2. When he comes upon African villagers, he regularly (without moral qualms) kills them for their stuff. By hanging. Not joking. Yikes.
3. The European family's black servant is portrayed as so incompetent and ridiculous that Al Jolson would cringe.
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Upon finishing, there were several other things that happened that I didn't love, and few that I did. Overall the book was pretty enjoyable if you view it as a period piece. There was too much racism, sexism, and pro-colonial hogwash to really take it seriously.
Even the good parts were ridiculous, but it was a rather quick read and mostly enjoyable. So if you like... Tarzan... worth a read. If not... meh.
1. Tarzan puts both a lion and a gorilla in a full-nelson.
2. Tarzan taught himself to read. From a dictionary.
3. He dug up pirates' treasure even though he didn't see any purpose for it, just because he didn't like them.
4. Tarzan learned French in about two weeks from a wounded French soldier.
Things I don't love:
1. Tarzan grew up shaving with a knife. Even though he had never seen a human until grown, he knew it was unseemly to have hair on one's face like an ape.
2. When he comes upon African villagers, he regularly (without moral qualms) kills them for their stuff. By hanging. Not joking. Yikes.
3. The European family's black servant is portrayed as so incompetent and ridiculous that Al Jolson would cringe.
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Upon finishing, there were several other things that happened that I didn't love, and few that I did. Overall the book was pretty enjoyable if you view it as a period piece. There was too much racism, sexism, and pro-colonial hogwash to really take it seriously.
Even the good parts were ridiculous, but it was a rather quick read and mostly enjoyable. So if you like... Tarzan... worth a read. If not... meh.
Way better than I was expecting! Will be continuing the series
It took me a little bit to get into it, but it ended up being a fun and interesting read for the most part. This is definitely not a Disney book! haha I was disappointed by the end though because I felt like there was really no resolution to the conflicts that Tarzan was working through for at least the second half of the book. It just kinda ended and I felt like there should have been at least a few more pages, or another chapter to wrap things up nicely. Not sure if I'll read the next one...
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Just read this for the second time. Tarzan is definately better than I ever thought it would be, based off of the movies and popular culture. The book is pure adventure and wildly implausible (for example, Tarzan is not only incredible strong, endurable, and resourceful, he is also so smart that he taught himself to read from his human father's old books) and a lot of fun for all that. And the book, written in 1913, is certainly an interesting snapshot of what a white man from Ohio thinks of woman, blacks, (both African and American), the place of the British aristocracy in the world.
This was such a suspenseful book! It really was much different from what I thought it would be, but so romantic and exciting that I didn't care. It has been vastly popular ever since it was written, in fact, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote seventeen Tarzan novels or so, but was never taken seriously as literature. Now that time has passed, people see more of its merits. It was well written, and did have excellent vocabulary. I thought his idea of nature vs. nurture--Tarzan because of noble blood taught himself to read and was naturally courageous and chivalrous--really interesting but a bit unbelievable. (Who could really, only knowing how to speak ape, teach yourself to read English having never heard it in your life, then learn to speak French and English?) I have to get the sequel to find out if he marries Jane. Why did it end with a cliffhanger?
Spoiler
A couple of my favorite parts were when he discovered the books in his parents' cabin, rescued Jane and the subsequent scene in the forest, and his final selfless act in the end.
Y’know, I just don’t think I’m an Edgar Rice Burroughs fan. I found ‘John Carter of Mars’ intolerable. I find ‘Tarzan of the Apes’ just ok.
Perhaps ‘Tarzan’ didn’t work for me because of the time I’ve spent in Africa. I’m just not able to imagine the “Dark Continent” as a mysterious land of savage adventure; to me, sub-Saharan Africa is just another place.
Still, one cannot claim a familiarity with the pulp adventure genre without reading Burroughs. Eat your vegetables.
Oh, a note on the narrator: Ben Kingsley’s narration is clear and emotive, without being overwhelming. I was able to listen to this at 2.5x speed without missing a syllable. I think this fellow has a future in the entertainment industry!
Perhaps ‘Tarzan’ didn’t work for me because of the time I’ve spent in Africa. I’m just not able to imagine the “Dark Continent” as a mysterious land of savage adventure; to me, sub-Saharan Africa is just another place.
Still, one cannot claim a familiarity with the pulp adventure genre without reading Burroughs. Eat your vegetables.
Oh, a note on the narrator: Ben Kingsley’s narration is clear and emotive, without being overwhelming. I was able to listen to this at 2.5x speed without missing a syllable. I think this fellow has a future in the entertainment industry!
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Most people have heard of or seen the story of Tarzan in some form or another. I have never had the chance to read the original book, so I took the time to read it. Since the book was first realized in 1912, the language used reflects the times and so it may be hard to relate to at times. Of course, the improbable story of a lost English Lord in the wild jungles of Africa is equally difficult to accept. Also, racial prejudices are rather blatant. Still, the concept has fascinated readers, including myself, for decades.
The book does not paint Tarzan as a perfect hero, and clearly portrays his wild nature and how he enjoys the thrill of a good hunt and resulting kill. I was disappointed with Jane -- she is often portrayed as resourceful and intelligent. Here, she seems like an insipid, fickle girl ready to toss away her convictions depending on which way the wind blows. (Frankly, based on the character as portrayed here, Jane doesn't really deserve Tarzan's devotion.)
The series continued well into the 1940s. I debated whether or not I wanted to see what happens in the next installment. I'm going to check it out after all. There was enough suspense as the first book built up to its conclusion to make me curious to see what will happen next.
The book does not paint Tarzan as a perfect hero, and clearly portrays his wild nature and how he enjoys the thrill of a good hunt and resulting kill. I was disappointed with Jane -- she is often portrayed as resourceful and intelligent. Here, she seems like an insipid, fickle girl ready to toss away her convictions depending on which way the wind blows. (Frankly, based on the character as portrayed here, Jane doesn't really deserve Tarzan's devotion.)
The series continued well into the 1940s. I debated whether or not I wanted to see what happens in the next installment. I'm going to check it out after all. There was enough suspense as the first book built up to its conclusion to make me curious to see what will happen next.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Cannibalism