The Outlaw of Torn
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
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Here is a story that has lain dormant for seven hundred years. At first it was suppressed by one of the Plantagenet kings of England. Later it was forgotten. I happened to dig it up by accident. The accident being the relationship of my wife's cousin to a certain Father Superior in a very ancient monastery in Europe.He let me pry about among a quantity of mildewed and musty manuscripts and I came across this. It is very interesting -- partially since it is a bit of hitherto unrecorded show more history, but principally from the fact that it records the story of a most remarkable revenge and the adventurous life of its innocent victim -- Richard, the lost prince of England.In the retelling of it I have left out most of the history. What interested me was the unique character about whom the tale revolves -- the visored horseman who -- but let us wait until we get to him.It all happened in the thirteenth century, and while it was happening it shook England from north to south and from east to west; and reached across the channel and shook France. . . . show lessTags
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Outlaw of Torn (written 1911)
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Published 1914 New Story Magazine
The Outlaw of Torn was the second novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs although there were at least 6 other novels published in the magazines before Outlaw. It is set in the time of Henry III and loosely follows the historical tribulation of King Henry III. In many ways it is a take on the Prince and Pauper with a kidnapping and subsequent raising of Prince Richard away from his lineage. Similar to his soon to be more famous literary ancestor, Prince Richard is raised away from home without knowledge of his family. There is a dual influence as he grows into manhood of the great but malevolent swordsman De Vac and the virtuous, knowledgeable Father show more Claude. Richard senses something wrong with De Vac and so leans more and more towards the influence of Father Claude.
As adventures stories go, it flows well and you can see Burroughs is feeling his way. Some of the themes and tropes that will appear often in his works first make their appearance here. The orphan raised by other influences without knowledge of heritage. The seemingly scorned suitor recognizes the nobility of the hero so instead of fighting for the hand of the fair maiden, he acquiesces to his rival. The feeling being that all he wants is her happiness in the end.
Since I’m not a historical fiction fan, if this hadn’t been Burroughs I would never have tackled it. For me the excitement is seeing the career of ERB as a writer unfold. Seeing the ideas that will be fleshed out and put to excellent use in his next novel- Tarzan of the Apes. show less
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Published 1914 New Story Magazine
The Outlaw of Torn was the second novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs although there were at least 6 other novels published in the magazines before Outlaw. It is set in the time of Henry III and loosely follows the historical tribulation of King Henry III. In many ways it is a take on the Prince and Pauper with a kidnapping and subsequent raising of Prince Richard away from his lineage. Similar to his soon to be more famous literary ancestor, Prince Richard is raised away from home without knowledge of his family. There is a dual influence as he grows into manhood of the great but malevolent swordsman De Vac and the virtuous, knowledgeable Father show more Claude. Richard senses something wrong with De Vac and so leans more and more towards the influence of Father Claude.
As adventures stories go, it flows well and you can see Burroughs is feeling his way. Some of the themes and tropes that will appear often in his works first make their appearance here. The orphan raised by other influences without knowledge of heritage. The seemingly scorned suitor recognizes the nobility of the hero so instead of fighting for the hand of the fair maiden, he acquiesces to his rival. The feeling being that all he wants is her happiness in the end.
Since I’m not a historical fiction fan, if this hadn’t been Burroughs I would never have tackled it. For me the excitement is seeing the career of ERB as a writer unfold. Seeing the ideas that will be fleshed out and put to excellent use in his next novel- Tarzan of the Apes. show less
The "Outlaw" is nearly mythical...the intrigue is great and the ending suspenseful. A fun, somewhat silly read.Burroughs has a way of writing very poetically without it being overbearing
Better than Tarzan or John Carter. This was a compelling action tale centered on Burroughs' most likable character. Robin Hood in setting there is more in common with Patty Hurst or Dick Grayson. Loved all the swordplay and intrigue. The ending was what it was foreshadowed but more. A great read.
Medieval story is a change of pace for Burroughs and for the reader. I enjoyed it a lot as a teenager.
Great action story, Royalty kidnapped, Outstanding swordsmanship, kingdom shattering revenges, and the complications of a love story. pretty good read.
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Author Information
768+ Works 65,230 Members
Edgar Rice Burroughs was born on September 1, 1875, in Chicago. His father, George Tyler was a distiller and a battery manufacturer. Early in life Burroughs attempted to support his family in a variety of occupations, including railroad policeman, business partner, and miner. None of these proved successful. However, Burroughs had always enjoyed show more reading adventure fiction and decided to try his hand at writing. His first attempt, written under the pseudonym Normal Bean, sold very quickly and Burroughs' career took off. Although critics and educators have not always been supportive of Burroughs' writing, the characters in his stories have entertained readers for many years. Tarzan was the most popular, earning Burroughs enough money to start his own publishing house and a motion picture company. Another character, John Carter, is the hero of Burroughs' Mars adventure series. The continuing popularity of these characters has led some critics to reconsider the value of Burroughs' writing and to acknowledge significant themes in his stories. Burroughs died on March 19, 1950. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- The Outlaw of Torn
- Original title
- The Outlaw of Torn
- Original publication date
- 1914; 1927-02-19
- People/Characters
- Norman of Torn
- Important places
- England, UK
- Dedication
- To My Friend
Joseph E. Bray - First words
- Here is a story that has lain dormant for seven hundred years.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"It was not the outlaw that I loved, Richard, nor be it the prince I love now; it be all the same to me, prince or highwayman—it be thee I love, dear heart—just thee."
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 404
- Popularity
- 76,874
- Reviews
- 5
- Rating
- (3.76)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 76
- ASINs
- 32
