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Product Description
Product Description
Abandoned to his fate when his English parents die in the African jungle, a baby boy is rescued and reared by a loving ape foster mother. Conquering the savage laws of the wilderness, Tarzan grows into a mighty warrior and becomes leader of his tribe of apes until he encounters, for the first time, his own kind – humans. An expedition of white treasure hunters has entered his jungle kingdom, accompanied by the beautiful Jane Porter.
Tarzan’s primitive heart is struck and he determines to become civilized in order to win her. But will the charms of this charming and cultured young woman overcome when the spirit of his wild nature beckons?
About the Author
Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875- 1950) is best remembered as the creator of the world famous character of Tarzan, one of the indispensable icons of popular culture. Burroughs also published science fiction and crime novels.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Most would claim to know the story of Tarzan, at least in outline. And many would quote the famous line `Me Tarzan, you Jane'. But don't be disappointed that the line does not appear in the original work for the book will not disappoint. It is one of the great stories of the early 20th Century and a novel of far more depth and excitement than one might expect.
It is the story of the young Lord Greystoke, named Tarzan when he is taken into the care of a pack of Apes after the death of both of his parents. The story follows Tarzan as he learns that he is different to the Apes and discovers his parents's possessions, still in their jungle cabin.. The connection is not made, however, and Tarzan wrestles throughout the novel with the internal conflict between the wild creature he has been raised to be and the human instincts which still run strong in him. Through an extraordinary sequence of coincidences Tarzan eventually comes into contact with other `white apes' like him and this is where his love affair with Miss Jane Porter begins.
Tarzan of the Apes is adventure at its best and its extraordinary popularity is testament to this. Everyone expects the story to include Tarzan swinging from vine to vine but how many would expect mutinies, eccentric professors, French detectives and buried treasure? Tarzan of the Apes will appeal to the wild spirit in everyone, whether it is the longing for the dangers of the jungle or the simplicity of his existence, his story is totally compelling. Burroughs ensures that each chapter continues with the pace and adventure of the previous and he tells the story with wit and style throughout.
The book is also an interesting study on racial attitudes of the time. Written in America less than 50 years after the Thirteenth Amendment of 1865 abolished slavery, the attitudes and beliefs of certain characters within the novel illustrate how long it took for racial attitudes to change. Tarzan's moral instinct is strong. Unschooled in ethics, his leadership and decision making are unfaultable and it is this that leads to the moving and quite humbling ending.
Tarzan of the Apes book is so enjoyable, I am jealous of those of you yet to read it.
It is the story of the young Lord Greystoke, named Tarzan when he is taken into the care of a pack of Apes after the death of both of his parents. The story follows Tarzan as he learns that he is different to the Apes and discovers his parents's possessions, still in their jungle cabin.. The connection is not made, however, and Tarzan wrestles throughout the novel with the internal conflict between the wild creature he has been raised to be and the human instincts which still run strong in him. Through an extraordinary sequence of coincidences Tarzan eventually comes into contact with other `white apes' like him and this is where his love affair with Miss Jane Porter begins.
Tarzan of the Apes is adventure at its best and its extraordinary popularity is testament to this. Everyone expects the story to include Tarzan swinging from vine to vine but how many would expect mutinies, eccentric professors, French detectives and buried treasure? Tarzan of the Apes will appeal to the wild spirit in everyone, whether it is the longing for the dangers of the jungle or the simplicity of his existence, his story is totally compelling. Burroughs ensures that each chapter continues with the pace and adventure of the previous and he tells the story with wit and style throughout.
The book is also an interesting study on racial attitudes of the time. Written in America less than 50 years after the Thirteenth Amendment of 1865 abolished slavery, the attitudes and beliefs of certain characters within the novel illustrate how long it took for racial attitudes to change. Tarzan's moral instinct is strong. Unschooled in ethics, his leadership and decision making are unfaultable and it is this that leads to the moving and quite humbling ending.
Tarzan of the Apes book is so enjoyable, I am jealous of those of you yet to read it.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A REVIEW OF `TARZAN OF THE APES' BY EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS
If you are tempted to get your hands on a copy of `Tarzan Of The Apes', but are umm-ing and err-ing because of an underwhelming preconceived notion of the character and story, I can only recommend that you wipe the slate clean and grab it with both hands, for this is boys'-own adventure at its very best. Forget any lingering `versions' of Tarzan that you might have (Jonny Weismuller, the Disney cartoon...) and dismiss the ridiculous "Aargh-a-aargh-a-a-a-argh!" call that you might have heard, for this is a story of remarkable freshness and creativity, with Tarzan himself existing as a wholly compelling literary creation.
I suppose that we all know the story to some extent: Baby of noble birth grows up in the jungle, reared by apes, following the tragic death of his parents. Said ape-man grows up swinging from tree to tree, meets civilised, sexy babe, Jane Porter in various perilous jungle-set scrapes and wins her over with his primitive heroic antics. On one, superficial level, this is `Tarzan Of The Apes' in a nutshell. However, this is a far more eclectic and engaging novel that might be assumed.
For starters, the back-story of Tarzan becoming an orphan and his development within the ape tribe is told with remarkable pathos and energy. There is genuine emotional resonance to our hero's origins, especially his absolute ignorance of his human heredity. Burroughs also peppers the exciting narrative with flashes of ingenuity. Perhaps the most fascinating element of the back-story is Tarzan's learning to read and write whilst remaining unable to understand a word of spoken English. As noted here, it may sound ludicrous, but as part of the unfolding story, it is both touching and amazingly credible. There are also many seemingly-throwaway incidents which have a huge impact later on in the story, much like the best clues in detective novels.
Amidst the originality, Burroughs also delivers some action-adventure staples, drawing upon some familiar themes from accepted `classics'. `Tarzan Of The Apes' contains echoes of `Treasure Island', `Robinson Crusoe', and `The Lost World' to name but three. However, the basic premise is so unique and so exhilarating that at no time does the tale seem to be anything other than an adventure in its own right.
Perhaps the only failing of `Tarzan Of The Apes' (and the reason why I have shaved 0.5 from its 10/10 score) is the excessive scene-changing of its final few chapters. With most of the story having been set so successfully in Africa, we are transported to Paris and Baltimore to conclude matters. Given that within these few pages, Tarzan goes from being unable to utter a word of a Western language to a fluent French-speaking, knife-and-fork-using car-driver, it all seems a trifle forced. Nevertheless, thanks to the avoidance of the conventional finale, Burroughs wins a final cheer and sets up `The Return Of Tarzan' very cleverly indeed.
And so, where does this all leave us? Well, to conclude, `Tarzan Of The Apes' is one of the most compelling, original and intriguing adventure stories of its age. Both brutal and charming, it offers the reader something truly fascinating in both concept and delivery. If you are still dithering about giving it a go, dither no more. A swinging time is guaranteed.
Barty's Score: 9.5/10
If you are tempted to get your hands on a copy of `Tarzan Of The Apes', but are umm-ing and err-ing because of an underwhelming preconceived notion of the character and story, I can only recommend that you wipe the slate clean and grab it with both hands, for this is boys'-own adventure at its very best. Forget any lingering `versions' of Tarzan that you might have (Jonny Weismuller, the Disney cartoon...) and dismiss the ridiculous "Aargh-a-aargh-a-a-a-argh!" call that you might have heard, for this is a story of remarkable freshness and creativity, with Tarzan himself existing as a wholly compelling literary creation.
I suppose that we all know the story to some extent: Baby of noble birth grows up in the jungle, reared by apes, following the tragic death of his parents. Said ape-man grows up swinging from tree to tree, meets civilised, sexy babe, Jane Porter in various perilous jungle-set scrapes and wins her over with his primitive heroic antics. On one, superficial level, this is `Tarzan Of The Apes' in a nutshell. However, this is a far more eclectic and engaging novel that might be assumed.
For starters, the back-story of Tarzan becoming an orphan and his development within the ape tribe is told with remarkable pathos and energy. There is genuine emotional resonance to our hero's origins, especially his absolute ignorance of his human heredity. Burroughs also peppers the exciting narrative with flashes of ingenuity. Perhaps the most fascinating element of the back-story is Tarzan's learning to read and write whilst remaining unable to understand a word of spoken English. As noted here, it may sound ludicrous, but as part of the unfolding story, it is both touching and amazingly credible. There are also many seemingly-throwaway incidents which have a huge impact later on in the story, much like the best clues in detective novels.
Amidst the originality, Burroughs also delivers some action-adventure staples, drawing upon some familiar themes from accepted `classics'. `Tarzan Of The Apes' contains echoes of `Treasure Island', `Robinson Crusoe', and `The Lost World' to name but three. However, the basic premise is so unique and so exhilarating that at no time does the tale seem to be anything other than an adventure in its own right.
Perhaps the only failing of `Tarzan Of The Apes' (and the reason why I have shaved 0.5 from its 10/10 score) is the excessive scene-changing of its final few chapters. With most of the story having been set so successfully in Africa, we are transported to Paris and Baltimore to conclude matters. Given that within these few pages, Tarzan goes from being unable to utter a word of a Western language to a fluent French-speaking, knife-and-fork-using car-driver, it all seems a trifle forced. Nevertheless, thanks to the avoidance of the conventional finale, Burroughs wins a final cheer and sets up `The Return Of Tarzan' very cleverly indeed.
And so, where does this all leave us? Well, to conclude, `Tarzan Of The Apes' is one of the most compelling, original and intriguing adventure stories of its age. Both brutal and charming, it offers the reader something truly fascinating in both concept and delivery. If you are still dithering about giving it a go, dither no more. A swinging time is guaranteed.
Barty's Score: 9.5/10
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Of course when I first got it, I thought it was like the films, but as i got into it i realized it was totally different. The plot is as you imagine, you know Tarzan's parent's die and he gets adopted by an ape, and grows to become a mighty ape-man. But there are differences from the films. Like in the Disney film, Sabor is leopard and in the book, she's a lioness. Also Jane goes with the explorers to the jungle unlike what she does in the films. Overall i think this book was great and believe me it is better than the films. The only thing i disagree with is the sexist and racist points made in it. But then again, this was written at a time when people were like that.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A Legend of Love and Loss
"Tarzan of the Apes" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is an undisputed classic. Until four years ago, I was only familiar with the Disney version. Read more
Published 3 months ago by James C.
Magnifico
I first read this novel over 60 years ago as a schoolboy and was mesmerised, a classic novel of adventure for any like minded soul, reading it again took me back to my youth and I... Read more
Published 18 months ago by D. Stevenson
tarzan of the apes
enjoyed this book which was inevitable,not as good as when i read it when i was 10 years old but that is to be expected but an excellent read
Published 23 months ago by William Campbell
Great book - really worth the read
I found myself REALLY getting into this book!
The story was great, very interesting, well written, absorbing and captivating.
I thoroughly recommend it.
The story was great, very interesting, well written, absorbing and captivating.
I thoroughly recommend it.
Published on 14 Jun 2009 by Jon
So much better than the films!
This is the tenth of the twelve book Penguin Red Classics series on Adventure that I have so far read, and the best written. Read more
Published on 14 April 2009 by Adrenalin Streams
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