Tarzan of the Apes

By: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Narrated by: David Stifel

This book was an instant best-seller and became (and remains to this day) an international sensation, much like Harry Potter today. The story of the infant son of an English Lord and Lady marooned on the coast of Africa made its author famous and wealthy. Adopted by the she-ape, Kala, Tarzan becomes a "mighty hunter, mighty fighter" - the first superhero in American literature.

This audiobook presents the original, uncensored 1914 McClurg first edition text. Most versions of this book on the market today use an altered, politically correct text that was released in 1966.The narrator is David Stifel, "That Burroughs Guy", who hosted "The Fantastic Worlds of Edgar Rice Burroughs", a six-year podcast of Burroughs's books serialized a few chapters at a time. Mr. Stifel has narrated over 20 titles by ERB, and has contributed to several popular academic studies of Mr. Burroughs.

Public Domain (P)2017 David Stifel

Tarzan of the apes

I think I have watched every movie about Tarzan but never have I heard the story of the beginning. Very well read and narrated. The ending brought tears to my eyes.
Waiting on the edge of my chair for his return.
I received this free for an honest review from the author or narrator.

One has to withhold 21st Century norms

It is difficult to say anything new about this early 20th Century classic. You know the story; it is ingrained in our modern psyche: parents die, their baby is raised by apes, becomes king of the apes, meets white men, fights an inner struggle of wild man versus civilized man. But there is so much more that makes the original story told in its entirety worth the listen. It is a story about values, societal convention, rules, racism, cruelty and above all, man’s true nature.

One has to withhold 21st Century norms to appreciate the novel. We know so much more about the nature of animals and the great apes in particular. Burroughs anthropomorphizes the “beasts” in such a way as to make them sound ridiculous to the modern ear. Lions who take revenge and kill for pleasure, apes who plot to be the leader of their group, and gather to tell stories of conquest. We have to remember the time in which it was written, where the jungle was perhaps the most frightening place imaginable, ferocious animals who they imagined would kill an unarmed man instantly and efficiently.

There are many nods to the cruel subjugation of the “blacks” brutalized by the whites, including the barbarity of King Leopold of Belgium. But there is blatant, and to our ears, unforgivable descriptions of the superiority and nobility of the white gentleman. His breeding, manners, strength, masculinity, mental acuity, and handsome features were considered to be the pinnacle of human evolution. Tarzan, even though he was raised by the brutish apes, reaches into his inner whiteness and raises himself to superhuman abilities. He teaches himself to read and write from leftover books even though he has never heard a word of English, to use a bow and arrow from watching natives, and to speak French in a few days from the soldier he saves. It is pretty hard to believe but is definitely fun. Tarzan is the first Superman.

Let’s not forget the horrible sexism, the women who faint dead away when in danger, or their inability to protect themselves, or a ridiculous promise of marriage to protect the honor of a foolish father. The story is so full of stereotypes that it sounds silly at times. The absentminded professor who is so distracted that he wanders off into the jungle, then when confronted by a lion, chides his associate as to the incompetence of the zookeepers. Clearly, it is an attempt at humor but sinks so deeply into the absurd that even a 19th Century reader would cringe.

For all its flaws, Tarzan of the Apes is absolutely worth listening to. It is a piece of our heritage, our shared genetic memory at this point. Many of us have watched the sterilized interpretations of the many movies. But one has to go back to the original to understand Tarzan as the allegory he truly is. That man can rise up to be more than his environment, can set aside his beast-like nature to be noble in the midst of cruelty and unfairness. Tarzan is that spark in each of us.

The novel is performed by David Stifel. He has a pleasant voice and is completely appropriate for the story. His accents are generally good and the characters are easily discerned. He does an admirable job with the many mutineers. There is some hesitation with the female characters and he seems to stumble over one, in particular, Jane’s illiterate black nanny. It would be unfair to blame the narrator, however, as the woman’s dialogue is written in a horrible and cruelly racist manner. He outshines himself with the ludicrous Professor Porter and his hapless associate. What fun those two are. Overall it is a very fine performance of a very challenging novel.

Tarzan of the Apes is a 100-year-old classic and must be listened to in that way. We must suspend our modern knowledge and experiences to be entertained by its varied characters, some noble, and so many base. It is important to listen to the original to appreciate the many modern interpretations of this important novel. Put it into the context of its time and you will thoroughly enjoy the ride.

Audiobook was provided for review by the narrator.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

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A delightful listen

Well I loved everything about this audiobook. It was a delightful glimpse back into the past, brilliantly narrated by David Stifel whose variety of voices perfectly complemented the characters.....”Tut, tut.”

I have grown up watching Johnny Weissmuller, Ron Ely, Christopher Lambert and many others play the role of Tarzan, none of which prepared me for what I was about to read.

It is important to remember that this is a classic novel which was written in 1914 and it expresses attitudes of the time. So please enjoy the book for what it is rather than analyse its political correctness.

I could list all the characters and divulge the entire story line but then that would just spoil your future enjoyment and experience.

To summarise; It is a wonderful adventurous tale of mutiny, marooning, adversity, tragedy, isolation, survival, adaptation, discovery, friendship and love.

I have to say the ending was unexpected but it has definitely left me wanting to listen to the follow on book.

So give this audiobook a go, it is excellently narrated and a must listen for anyone who has not read the original.
You will be pleasantly surprised and you certainly won’t be disappointed.

This audio book was requested by myself and provided free by the narrator
The review I have given is voluntary and my opinion of this audiobook and completely independent and unbiased.

Excellent!

I received this audio book for free in exchange for my honest review. The very excellent narration of this classic tale makes this one that you don't want to miss.

A classic reborn

I actually read this book before I ever seen Johnny Weissmuller on the silver screen. I love Burroughs and flew through his books. I've always thought of Tarzan of being the American version of Biggles. Always with a new amazing adventure, death defying feats, and overcoming impossible odds. As a kid, I watched every Tarzan film, did his call, and would swing around on ropes like I was in the jungle. I even had a leopard loincloth from my parent when I was 11, so yeah, I know Tarzan.

Chances are, that you know the story already, but if not you are in for a real treat. David Stifel brings this tale to lfe in a way I have never experienced before. His narration takes you to the jungle, lets you live with the apes, and makes you more intimate with Earl Greystroke. He really is the best reason to get this new version of a classic book. The man transports you to a different time, a different place, and does so in so subtle a manner that you won't realize you are on a new continent until he stops talking.

This is a combination of a brilliant author and a deft narrator combining their talants to improve on a masterpiece.