The Tarzan Duology of Edgar Rice Burroughs

Tarzan of the Apes and The Return of Tarzan: A Pulp-Lit Annotated Edition

By: Finn J.D. John, Edgar Rice Burroughs

Narrated by: Finn J.D. John

In the wild, unexplored coastal jungles of West Africa lives a wild human boy named Tarzan, the adopted son of a tribe of fierce almost-human anthropoid apes - but in reality, the unknown heir of a wealthy and titled English noble family. Then one day, a small party of American treasure-seekers is marooned on Tarzan's beach, including a lovely Baltimore belle named Jane Porter. When she leaves, Tarzan quits his jungle life and learns the ways of civilized man, so that he can follow her. But after he arrives, he finds he must choose between his noble birthright and her future happiness....

The two books in this duology were the world's introduction to Tarzan - possibly the most widely recognized character in fiction. Over the century, since he was introduced to us, he has starred in hundreds of books, comics, and films, and thousands of derivative bits of pop culture such as bubblegum cards and lunch pails. Only Bram Stoker's Dracula has starred in more movies. Yet the Tarzan most people think they know is far different from the original Tarzan - the Tarzan you'll meet in this audiobook. The Tarzan most of us know is a crude, powerful, primitive man who speaks in monosyllables ('Me Tarzan. You Jane. Where boy?') . The original Tarzan was altogether different - fluent in at least four languages (Ape, French, English, and Arabic, in that order) and equally comfortable in the smoking room of a great ocean liner as he was in the savage jungle.

This pulp-lit annotated edition of Burroughs' first two Tarzan books tells the story of the ape-man's origins, from his childhood adventures to his triumphant arrival as Lord Greystoke.

©2015 Finn J.D. John (P)2015 Pulp-Lit Productions

King of everything

This is such a great story that I can't get enough of. A masterpiece in my opinion

Absolutely enthralling story of a jungle god

I have been absolutely engrossed in this book for the entirety of its birth, Burroughs made a masterpiece. Though he may have wanted to make this story different than it is today, I believe this is the way it was meant to be. I had no issue with the ending whatsoever. A marvelous set of books.

Great audio presentation!!

Amazing Story, amazing narration and commentary! too bad Hollywood can't get it right (hopefully soon.)

Entertaining Pulp-Lit at its Best

Finn JD John does a great job narrating these two stories. I got a kick out of Tarzan's French accent with Burroughs explanation that Tarzan learned English from a Frenchman. Sure, okay. In reading this genre it's best to suspend critical thinking and just enjoy the story.

A Pulp Classic

Most everything I thought I knew about Tarzan turns out to be incomplete or wrong. Saturday morning television and old television serials don't capture half of it. I really enjoyed Tarzan of the Apes and enjoyed seeing the changes and compromises Burroughs made in the sequel to make it a popular hit. John's narration was well done and I have no real complaint, but he would not have been my choice for this tale about the most manly of men. Very glad I took a chance on this book.