Tarzan of the Apes, Three Complete Novels: Tarzan of the Apes / The Son of Tarzan / Tarzan at the Earth's Core

Tarzan #1, 4, 13

by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Estaban Maroto (Illustrator), J. Allen St. John (Illustrator)

1 Tarzan of the Apes Tarzan orphaned babe in Africa adopted by ape, grows strong, loses love
2 The Son of Tarzan Jack flees to Africa with ape Akut, grows strong, finds love
3 Tarzan at the Earth's Core Tarzan leads expedition by dirigible to Pellucidar. Jason Gridley wants to rescue Emperor David from Kosaks.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Classics

650 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 1998

About the author

Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.

Reviews

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author "Burroughs violated" rule of "beginning writers: he wrote on things he knew nothing about" p vii, leading to inconsistencies, impossibilities. Yet wimpy Lady nearly sinks newlyweds, ape nurses boy, brave hero wins gory fights. In funny scene, near-sighted Samuel T. Philander tugs at doddery Prof Archimedes Q. Porter who believes pursuing lion runs loose in zoo, not free in nameless island.

Maybe because I read Pellucidar stories together, I prefer jungle stay apart from invented monsters and races. Dinosaurs from history overlap realities. Whatever, despite deficiencies, some attributable to time, I like Burrough's style, will keep reading.

See strength over weaknesses. Ignore useless females. Hysterical 'mammy' figure Esmeralda puffs "A hipponocerous? .. You acks sorter kinder disgranulated dis ebenin' p 172.

Pulp trashy line "He took his woman in his arms" p 145 captions full-page scanty clad couple. Maroto draws elegantly beside scruffy scrawls of St John in second two books. At the core of Tarzan's nature -- [are] the qualities that are the most admirable in the human species" p xv.

1 Tarzan of the Apes

Lord Greystoke saves life of mutiny leader Black Michael, in return dropped off, sure of being found. Wife Alice "would not heed" p 22, loses wits "overwrought nerves gave way" p 17. John fortifies front door, as if animals would not prowl for weakest entry point.

Alice thinks jungle hut is English manor, dies after birth of son. Open door allows in berserk ape chief Kerchak who kills John, but female Kala grabs baby to raise. I remember Tarzan falls in love with Jane Porter when party lost on his island, yields Jane and inheritance to privileged cousin. Despite knowing sad ending, I enjoy re-reading details and want to find intervening books.

2 The Son of Tarzan 223

Jack, son of Tarzan, gets in trouble whe sidekick Paulvitch of villain Rokoff returns. Ape Akut, veiled as "invalid grandmother" p 251, helps Jack thrive after his bankroll falls overboard in Africa. When a pole-vault saves the lad from a lion but lands him in a thorn tree, the lesson stays "with him for life. Never again did he uselessly tempt fate" p 279.

Jack rescues Meriem from abusive Arab foster father. Children grow up innocents, everything to each other in jungle. "My Korak! I knew that you would come. Kill him .. flashing eyes and heaving bosom the girl" p 311. When more tamed, she looks forward to visitors after being "assured that they would not bite her" p 356.

In a twist, Jack's parents civilize Meriem. None realize the same beloved boy is so near. Naturally the kidnapped princess, restored to her French father, makes a match with Jack restored to English aristocracy.

3 Tarzan at the Earth's Core 455

Convinced Tarzan is ideal leader of expedition to Pellucidar wilderness, Jason Gridley takes Tanar story to Africa. Dirigible descends through polar opening to rescue Emporer David "from the dungeon of the Korsars" p 464. Separated explorers each find "companion after his own heart -- a dependable man of quiet ways" p 592 and misplace a quiet lovely to dream upon. Is author now beset by yammering harpies?

Whether "reptiles were smaller .. large as an elephant" or serpent swallowing latter "armament of teeth .. over four hundred in the lower jaw" p 593, country is fearsomely dangerous. "Muviro .. Zoram .. Thoar .. Jana .. Pheli" p 592 places, monsters or buddies -- names blur. "Horibs, the snake people. They dwell between the Rela-Am and the Gyor Cors" p 614.

Everyone makes it home safe. Jason, for some time silent, amusing reader, mistaking Thoar to be Jana's love, decides to stay and seek missing Von Horst. Jana lets brother Thoar head home, while she goes "to Sari with the man I love" -- Jason p 650.

Typo:
p 432 "his just deserts" is desserts. After seeing deserts in many older books I wonder if desserts used to be also spelled deserts?
p 614 "at their grizzly feast" is grisly
p 616 "grewsome creatures" is gruesome

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read these a good thirty years ago, when I was a boy. It took me a while (about five or six books) till I realized they all revolve around the same plot: the kidnapping of Jane by various nefarious people. Even as a kid the racist elements upset me. But the character of Tarzan was such a compelling fantasy--living at one with nature--that I tried to overlook them. Incredibly dated now, the series is still an interesting historical document, and--if you can get past a white man being the lord of the African jungle--a good read.

[Elana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Growing up (in the 70's) I read ALL of the Tarzan books (we had over 20 in the series -- I wonder if my mother still has them -- I hope so). I loved these books, but I especially loved the first 3 books. I cannot recommend these books enough. When reading, simply remember they were written in another time (you can actually get a glimpse of that time in the writing). If you're curious, you're likely to enjoy these books.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in my teens. I think my sister collected about 20 of the Tarzan books. The latter ones (Tarzan and the Monkey People -- I'm making this up) are probably not worth reading. But the first 3 books are truly amazing. The concept itself (a man raised by apes) is just so unique.

[K.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit it. I am a Tarzan freak. I love wondering who we would be if society wasn't in the way. Still makes me want to fly down the stairs on a silver serving platter.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED, Loved these books as a teenager. I think I should read them again and relive the wonder!!

[Tessa in Mid-Michigan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like the adventure, not the opining and racism.

[Artie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great escapist fun. They're much darker than what's portrayed in movies. The Son of Tarzan is a bit slow but the other two are highly recommended.