Two weeks ago, my Tarzan post got flagged for violating Blogger's community guidelines. I still have no clue as to what triggered it or what the issue appeared to be, despite submitting it for review again (with no follow-up communication). I originally took out a comment about a font style I didn't like. And I've just now reduced the book quotes even though the novel is in the public domain. Anyway, I'm trying again. Here's hoping it works...because it greatly suppressed my meager, but highly valued page views.
I finished this novel a week ago, and it was another long read, taking just over a month. However, it wasn't due to disinterest. Quite the contrary, in fact, I was actually savoring it amidst the busyness of everyday life. Often, reading a single chapter before bed.
Published in 1928-1929, the plot is fairly straightforward, but rather than try to summarize it myself, let's have the back cover copy do the job for me. Think of it as an analog A.I. Hey, it's not a bad thing either to zoom in on the great painting by Boris Vallejo.
You may be thinking, "Wasn't the last novel about Tarzan looking for someone who was missing in some heretofore lost civilization that was stuck in the past? And you said it was only "okay"? Well, yes, you're absolutely right. The difference this time is that Tarzan wasn't a guest star in his own novel! Sure, we get glimpses of what's happening to Erich here and there, but Tarzan is the clear protagonist (as he should be). Look at me, using an actual literary term -- don't get used to it. And the reason is clear -- maybe you've heard this one before: "Two men enter a hidden valley..." See, Tarzan went to the wrong part of the valley, so he's got to extricate himself from his troubles before he can rescue his friend.
Perhaps I just like Roman culture more than Medieval culture. Despite not taking Latin, I found the pronunciation much easier than the made-up names from Tarzan #10, and there was none of the annoying "Zounds" from last time. Could it have influenced me to purchase the entire film score to Ben-Hur? I think I'll put that on right now.
Like I said, it's been a month (so some details are hazy), but this story just really had a lot going for it. We see the loyalty of Gabula, who goes after Von Harben, after abandoning him with the rest of the hired porters, who feared the "spirits" of the valley. A loyalty that was stronger than his still, persistent fears. We have not one, but two romances brewing in each quarter. There are genuine friendships for both Tarzan and Erich amongst the Caesar-oppressed empires. It's a story of freedom from oppressive tyranny (with satisfying comeuppance) that I'm sure the Persians can relate to today. And we have Tarzan being his Tarzan-self, undaunted in the direst of settings, noble and beastial, with fierce fighting, never forgetting he's Lord of the Jungle.
There was one moment when I literally was cheering for the next chapter, anticipating what was to come. After successfully beating his opponents in the arena, Tarzan was due to be released, but Caesar, fearing his popularity with the mob of spectators, brought additional challenges to bear. Or I should say "to apes", Great Apes, that is. His last salvo against the ape-man was to attack him with his own cousins, unbeknownst to the evil sire, of course. You just had to know what was going to happen next, especially with the image depicted on the front cover. And whadda you know, ERB didn't do as I expected at all - prolonging the conflict by another chapter or two.
I really liked Tarzan's philosophy in this particular scene from chapter 19 (p. 134-135, 1990 edition):
"This is no time to be speaking of dying", said Tarzan. "Did you think a few hours ago that you would ever be together again? Well, here you are. Perhaps in a few more hours everything will be changed and you will be laughing at the fears you are now entertaining."
***
Tarzan shrugged and turned away. "I am not dead yet", he said, " and not until I am dead is it time to think of it -- and then it will be too late."
***
"If we can discern no hope of advantage through our own efforts", replied Tarzan, "we must look elsewhere and await such favors of fortune as may come from without, either through the intervention of our friends beyond the palace grounds or from the carelessness of the enemy himself. I admit that just at present our case appears desperate, but even so I am not without hope; at least we may be cheered by the realization that whatever turn events may take it must be for the better, since nothing could be worse."
Personal update and aside:
It reminds me of these verses from 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 16-18:
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
I've used the phrase, "hard pressed, but not crushed", many times over the past few months. Praise God, our sojourn in the mold and rot-infested rental (and the ridiculously disruptive renovations) is soon ending, and we're returning to our old home, now mold-free, repaired, and upgraded! Having emptied it of all contents on MLK Jr Day (minus stuff in the garage), we were prepared to sell it, but now we get to go back! All our friends have been amazed at the turnaround, and we give God the Glory for it all!
Anyway, back to the novel... It was a really great read and highly entertaining, one of the best for sure. It's certainly reinvigorated my enthusiasm for reading more.
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