The Return of Tarzan (1913)

Tarzan is far more likable and the pacing faster in this superior follow up to Tarzan of the Apes. ( )

Tarzan is simply a white SuperCaptainCoolMan. That's all there is to it. With sinewy arms of steel forged in the leafy shadows of the darkest jungles--you get the picture. The silliest theme in the book is Tarzan's de-evolution from a gentleman in Paris to the ape-man rampaging through the jungle with his primate brethren. The not-so-subtle social Darwinism featured in all the Tarzan books is annoying if you can't get past the stupid ideas of previous generations--maybe in 75 years people will be put off by the murky postmodernism of the early 21st century. Burroughs was still way ahead of his time in his ability to create a predictable comic book hero about whom he could churn out multiple titles. Of course, that whole genre depends heavily on remarkable coincidences. I'm still bewildered about how most of the characters in this book end up at Tarzan's boyhood cabin on the west coast of Africa at some point or another when I can't even find the closest Target without a GPS. I'm still giving the improbable plot four stars because it's fun to read, with shipwrecks, political scandals, militant pygmies covered in bling, diabolical villains, and gentle ladies throughout (although Tarzan only wants to be "bully chums" with the non-European females he meets, even if he does call Arabs "white men"). Despite his embarrassing habit of being randomly heroic, I think Tarzan would be a good friend to play video games with--not any complex board games though, he's not evolved enough for that. ( )

The book first starts with Tarzan on a ship going from New York to France. On this trip, he makes friends with a Countess and makes an enemy with her brother, a Russian. The Russian will attempt to cause Tarzan problems for the following months. After growing tired of France, Tarzan decides to return to Africa. However, his journey is beset with adventures in desert and wilderness.

The story leads to Tarzan finding Opar, the lost outpost of Atlantis, in the heart of Africa. Although both the men and women of Opar are white, the women retained their beauty, while the men are more ape-like in appearance. From here, there are more adventures and peril. ( )

I'm pretty sure I gave [b:Tarzan of the Apes|40425|Tarzan of the Apes|Edgar Rice Burroughs|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1169434153s/40425.jpg|1774048] 5 stars, so I have to give this one the same. It's really one, 2 part book. It is better in one way, much of Burroughs earlier seeming racism is gone. Otherwise, it is just a continuation of the basis for a story we've all come to know so well. It relies heavily on coincidence, monumentally stupid bravery & sheer magic, but it's a heck of a lot of fun. ( )

This book resumes the story from the first, following Tarzan and Jane separately through most of the book. We Tarzan fall from his height of a sophisticated European back to the jungle animal. He maintains his morals and manages to return to his heights. All the loose ends are tied up this time, but it still leaves some expectations for the next volume. Tarzan seems too much of a superhero than the myth from comic and TV lore. He is both a cultured European with fluency in several languages, and the ultimate savage speaking with apes and many primitive tribes. He is unerring with spear and bow, tracker, spy, and what else? But it is still very enjoyable. ( )