Reviews

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

punkbuddha37's review against another edition

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3.0

I don't really know where to start with this one. For a long time I have been a fan of crime pulp fiction and I have decided to branch out into fantasy/ sci fi (e.g Conan, John Carter) and adventure. I approach Tarzan with some trepidation as it is a story every knows the basics of as it has entered pop culture to a lesser extent, and a story I really know very little about.

Positives first. Like all pulp fiction, when this gets going it flies along at breakneck speed. The story is engaging and there are lots of little complexities and details that set it above a lot of that style of fiction. The ending is also nicely subtle and a lot darker than I expected.

The problem that I have with the novel is the blatant racism and misogyny. I know when it was written attitudes were different yada yada and so on. To me that is the worst kind of cop out. Shitty views and attitudes are just that, whenever they were expressed and it doesn't excuse them. Ultimately it left me very torn about this novel and left a fairly sour aftertaste

N

calbowen's review

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4.0

This is not the Tarzan from television, but the true Tarzan from the mind of Edgar Rice Burroughs. This is the Tarzan that we should all be exposed to. The warrior; the student; and the adventurer. As long as you can work your way through the writing of the old style from 100 years ago, this is one that you should read. This is the beginning for Lord Greystoke and the Lady Jane.

faesrd's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

gossamerwingedgazelle's review

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5.0

OMG, I loved it! The plot moved along quickly and was exciting. Clearly, it wasn't a work of high literature, but as a classic adventure novel, it was great! Not surprisingly, it was racist, sexist and not very accurate about animals, but I wasn't reading it as a primer for jungle survival or how women should behave.

j_ammon's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

tlhp's review

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3.0

Great book for its time... but racist, sexist, and ethnocentric A.F.

mountdesertisaak's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

ec_newman's review against another edition

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4.0

It would have 5 stars but it is a product of its time and it's hard not to be bothered by the prejudice inherent in the words. Truly a really good story. And such a cliffhanger.

artbookshelfodyssey's review against another edition

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3.0

If you can over look the rampant racism and sexism, this book is an excellent adventure novel!

jade's review against another edition

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0