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Tarzan of the Apes
Tarzan of the Apes
The novel is the coming-of-age story of John Clayton, born in the western coastal jungles of equatorial Africa to a marooned couple from England, John and Alice Clayton, Lord and Lady Greystoke. Adopted as an infant by the she-ape Kala after his parents are killed by the savage king ape Kerchak, Clayton is renamed Tarzan (''White Skin'' in the ape language) and raised in ignorance of his human heritage.
Book Excerpt
ship, or meddling in affairs that don't concern you you can take the consequences, and be damned. I don't care whether you are an English lord or not. I'm captain of this here ship, and from now on you keep your meddling nose out of my business."
The captain had worked himself up to such a frenzy of rage that he was fairly purple of face, and he shrieked the last words at the top of his voice, emphasizing his remarks by a loud thumping of the table with one huge fist, and shaking the other in Clayton's face.
Greystoke never turned a hair, but stood eying the excited man with level gaze.
"Captain Billings," he drawled finally, "if you will pardon my candor, I might remark that you are something of an ass."
Whereupon he turned and left the captain with the same indifferent ease that was habitual with him, and which was more surely calculated to raise the ire of a man of Billings' class than a torrent of invective.
So, whereas the captain might easily have been brought to regr
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Readers reviews
4.6
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Great story. I LOVE Tarzan, it's all so amazing!
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I have read all of Edgar Rice Burroughs novels about ' Tarzan of the apes' and enjoyed being taken into a world of fantastic adventure. Tarzan is a magnificent character.
06/23/2016
I read this book and its sequel, "The Return of Tarzan". They should be read together, as the second book takes up where this one ends.
The story moves along well and is entertaining, although consistently silly. The books are full of odd coincidences, people coming by just in time to misunderstand what others really mean, Tarzan defeating ridiculous numbers of people and animals. I've forgotten how many lions he kills.
What bothers me about the books is their racism. Tarzan, although raised by apes, is more noble and civilized than any black character in the books. You could write it off as being typical of the times, but it's definitely there.
I also read "A Princess of Mars" (the first John Carter novel), and Tarzan is a better bet.
The story moves along well and is entertaining, although consistently silly. The books are full of odd coincidences, people coming by just in time to misunderstand what others really mean, Tarzan defeating ridiculous numbers of people and animals. I've forgotten how many lions he kills.
What bothers me about the books is their racism. Tarzan, although raised by apes, is more noble and civilized than any black character in the books. You could write it off as being typical of the times, but it's definitely there.
I also read "A Princess of Mars" (the first John Carter novel), and Tarzan is a better bet.
02/18/2013
I agree that this is a great book - easy to read and love. The action and adventure engages one's imagination in such a way that as you mature, each re-reading brings with it new insights. My addiction to reading began with this book. I loved it when I was 10, and love it still.
09/21/2011
I agree with the other reviewers - this book has not lost anything with time. It is a great adventure novel and seems remarkably violent for the era in which it was written. Highly recommended!
03/31/2010
Absolutely riveting. One would think that because it was written so long ago, it would no longer captivate someone, but it does not use huge victorian words, and the action is quick and concise. I am thirteen, and i find this book amazing. Another fantastic thing is that there are so many sequels. Read it if you get the chance. Its short and a very quick read, but worth your time.
03/14/2009
After reading the original I realized that all the subsequent adaptations had to be tamed due to the gripping violence of the original. The story transcends time and does not have that dated quality of many books of the 1900's. An exciting read to reawaken the "wild man" in all of us! I only give it 4 stars because Tarzan's move to "civilization" at the end of the story lacks the stunning magic of the remainder.
02/08/2009
One of the greatest characters of all time, this is the original tale of Tarzan. You will note many differences from the many movie adaptations, though a few come close. The boy raised by apes is one of the great brainstorms of Burroughs, who was definitely one of the great American story-tellers.
05/19/2008
If it's adventure you're looking for this book won't let you down! It's a great yarn.
05/08/2008
That was the first book I ever read on my new iPhone and WOW, what a Story.
If I only new earlier. I simply fell in love with this Tarzan character. Heading off to book 2 of the series...
If I only new earlier. I simply fell in love with this Tarzan character. Heading off to book 2 of the series...
10/28/2007
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