Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by snix
Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
4.0
Before I began the book I read the reviews and read, as many others have, the very negative reviews of other readers, so it was with a critical ear that I listened to this audiobook.
First off: this book is racist and sexist. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Although the women show glimpses of being brave and strong, in general they swoon under the weight of the terrors they see (including the - and I quote - "negress" Esmeralda, who literally faints at every moment). There is absolutely no way to avoid the blatant racism of the black "savages" and the implied superiority of the white man.
But - and I don't say this as a defense of this - it is simply a reflection of its times, and as such really is just fascinating. I felt the same way reading this as I did reading a book about the civil war and the things that even Abraham Lincoln said about the African-American slaves. It evokes the thought, 'wow, people really did think this.'
Burroughs is absolutely a product of his time, a time where the evolutionary theories of Darwin had taken full root. Tarzan is the archetypal "competent man", because that was the ideal of the times.
The last thing I'll say in response to the reviews of critique - this is a pulp fiction novel. It is not meant to be a literary masterpiece. The types of critiques other readers give are almost absurd to me - it is like criticizing a Nicholas Sparks novel for being unrealistic in its portrayal of romance. Of course it is unrealistic. That is the point.
Tarzan is meant to be wild and ultra strong, with supernatural abilities. Jane is meant to swoon at his strength and savagery. It is meant to be ultra violent, with gratuitous killings. That. Is. The. Genre. Realism is not the name of the game.
With that being said, the logical and rational side of me can't help but be disappointed that
What Burroughs does well (because he royally stinks at characterizing Tarzan as a wild beast or as a logical man or as a savage hunter or a rational animal) is tie up the loose ends of plot. That was what made this book enjoyable.
Okay one last INCREDIBLE annoyance.
I don't think I'll read any more of the Tarzan series, but I did find this one enjoyable.
First off: this book is racist and sexist. There is absolutely no doubt about that. Although the women show glimpses of being brave and strong, in general they swoon under the weight of the terrors they see (including the - and I quote - "negress" Esmeralda, who literally faints at every moment). There is absolutely no way to avoid the blatant racism of the black "savages" and the implied superiority of the white man.
But - and I don't say this as a defense of this - it is simply a reflection of its times, and as such really is just fascinating. I felt the same way reading this as I did reading a book about the civil war and the things that even Abraham Lincoln said about the African-American slaves. It evokes the thought, 'wow, people really did think this.'
Burroughs is absolutely a product of his time, a time where the evolutionary theories of Darwin had taken full root. Tarzan is the archetypal "competent man", because that was the ideal of the times.
The last thing I'll say in response to the reviews of critique - this is a pulp fiction novel. It is not meant to be a literary masterpiece. The types of critiques other readers give are almost absurd to me - it is like criticizing a Nicholas Sparks novel for being unrealistic in its portrayal of romance. Of course it is unrealistic. That is the point.
Tarzan is meant to be wild and ultra strong, with supernatural abilities. Jane is meant to swoon at his strength and savagery. It is meant to be ultra violent, with gratuitous killings. That. Is. The. Genre. Realism is not the name of the game.
With that being said, the logical and rational side of me can't help but be disappointed that
Spoiler
Jane doesn't pick William Clayton. He is CLEARLY an honorable and strong and fun man, and would absolutely make the better spouse. She does, of course, in this book, but later on chooses Tarzan.What Burroughs does well (because he royally stinks at characterizing Tarzan as a wild beast or as a logical man or as a savage hunter or a rational animal) is tie up the loose ends of plot. That was what made this book enjoyable.
Okay one last INCREDIBLE annoyance.
Spoiler
Why in hades did D'Arnot teach Tarzan, who could READ AND WRITE IN ENGLISH, to speak in French? WHY DID HE TEACH HIM TO SAY THE FRENCH TERM AS HE READ THE ENGLISH TERM? Oh it made me so mad I had to pause the book for a few minutes in rage. That was the dumbest thing I've ever heard and made me want to stop listening right then. Ugh.I don't think I'll read any more of the Tarzan series, but I did find this one enjoyable.