Internet Archive's in-browser audio with external links "theater" requires JavaScript to be enabled. It appears your browser does not have it turned on. Please see your browser settings for this feature.

Tarzan of the Apes

by: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Publication date: 2007-09-07

Usage: Public Domain

Topics: Tarzan, apes, jungle, shipwreck, librivox

Language: English

Librivox recording of Tarzan of the Apes.

Read by Mark F. Smith

Tarzan of the Apes is Burroughs’ exciting, if improbable, story of an English lord, left by the death of his stranded parents in the hands of a motherly African ape who raises him as her own. Although he is aware that he is different from the apes of his tribe, who are neither white nor hairless, he nevertheless regards them as his “people.” When older, larger, stronger apes decide that he an undesirable to be killed or expelled from the tribe, it is fortunate that Tarzan has learned the use of primitive weapons.

Although small and weak by ape standards, Tarzan is a human of god-like strength and agility to men who discover him. By studying these people, he gradually decides he is not an ape at all, but human.

And when he meets Jane, a beautiful American girl marooned with her father and friends on the hostile coast of Africa, Tarzan conceives love for her. When they are unexpectedly rescued before Tarzan can find a way to reveal his feelings to Jane, he determines to become civilized and follow her into the world of people – to find her and wed her, though he must cross continents and oceans, and compete with two other suitors for her hand.

This story was the subject of a successful film in 1932, with Tarzan being played by Johnny Weissmuller, who acted in a further eleven Tarzan films. According to Weissmuller in an interview with Mike Douglas, his famous ape-call was audio stitched together from a soprano, an alto, and a hog-caller! Summary by Mark F. Smith

For further information, including links to online text, reader information, RSS feeds, CD cover or other formats (if available), please go to the LibriVox catalog page for this recording. For more free audiobooks or to become a volunteer reader, please visit librivox.org

M4B Audiobook (258MB)

Addeddate: 2007-09-06 23:26:25

Boxid: OL100020204

Call number: 1303

External-identifier: urn:storj:bucket:jvrrslrv7u4ubxymktudgzt3hnpq:tarzan_apes_mfs

External_metadata_update: 2019-04-16T08:29:34Z

Identifier: tarzan_apes_mfs

Ocr: tesseract 5.0.0-beta-20210815

Ocr_autonomous: true

Ocr_detected_lang: en

Ocr_detected_lang_conf: 1.0000

Ocr_detected_script: Latin

Ocr_detected_script_conf: 1.0000

plus-circle Add Review

comment
Reviews

Reviewer: scriberareal - - July 4, 2023
Subject: sound issues

There is a high pitch tone in the background that makes it impossible for me to listen to these as is. If you have less sensitive hearing, it may not be an issue for you.

Reviewer: SpielMitMir - - January 9, 2017
Subject: Enjoyable voice, interesting story

Very nice recording. The book leaves some irritating gloom of how incredible weak men of the time considered women to be, and also it is quite tiresome that the beasts of the jungle are all so aggressive and "full of hate", but read as a historic document it is well worth your time. Mark Smith has a clear and brilliant voice, however the women is made unnecessarily fragile by the reader as he soften his voice to near breakdown each time a woman speaks. Apart from that the book captured me well enough for me to go on with the next book about Tarzan.

Reviewer: Gary Oak - - April 14, 2015
Subject: Mark F Smith rocks...as usual

Thanks, man, indeed!

Reviewer: awat - - May 18, 2013
Subject: Very good

This is a very good recording by Mark Smith. The story itself was very enjoyable as well.

Reviewer: LesM - - April 18, 2013
Subject: Brilliant

I had forgotten how good the Tarzan books were. This excellent reading has reminded me how good they are and I will be listening to the others in the series.
Mark is an excellent reader. He helps the characters come alive. Thanks Mark!.

Reviewer: Goddefroy - - June 13, 2012
Subject: Uitstekend

Het die boek as kind gelees. Dit was so 55 jaar gelede.

Het dit weer terdee geniet en waardeer die lese se stem.

Dankie

Reviewer: lanternland - - January 24, 2012
Subject: Excellent!

I really enjoyed this book and this reader. I didn't want it to end!

Reviewer: trail_runnr - - September 26, 2008
Subject: Thoroughly enjoyable

Mark Smith gets 5 stars for his reading of this book. His reading coupled with the Burroughs’ story makes this a great addition to ANY audio book library.

This is a wonderful story and I feel like I missed something in my childhood by not being exposed to this classic. I am surprised at how much I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. I immediately went searching for the next book in the series. The next book “The Return of Tarzan” is in the process of being recorded. If you enjoyed this one as much as I did here is a link to request an email when “The Return of Tarzan” is completed.

Under works in progress: http://librivox.org/newcatalog/search.php?title=Tarzan&author=&status=all&action=Search

Reviewer: ally99 - - August 10, 2008
Subject: Great job Mr. Smith!

This is my first review of a librivox audio book, but Mark Smith did such a fantastic job reading this book that I decided to review it. His voice is smooth and clear and is truly enjoyable to listen to. The story was WONDERFUL, and much different than the Disney portrayal! Thanks, Mark, for the pleasant summer read. :)

Reviewer: FNH - - May 11, 2008
Subject: Free Audio, Review

Everyone knows who Tarzan is. Or at least we think we do! When I finally got round to listening to the actual book I found out things that had never been hinted at by the saturday morning Tarzan films.

Tarzan is raised by the Apes, and the book reveals what that means. It means Tarzan doesn't have a lot of the human feelings and sensibilities. Humans at first scare him, then he becomes a murderer and a canibal. He doesn't know any better of course and so doesn't even consider it as doing anything wrong.

The story evolved a little slowly, and started with Tarzan's parents going on a trip. However once the parents pop-their-clogs the story becomes a lot more interesting. The auther develops the Apes as real characters and we as listeners are not bored by their interactions.

The story jumps another notch once humans move into the apes part of the jungle. So we have a story that speeds up and gets better as it goes and therefore draws you in and keeps you interested.

The reader is this case is fast becoming one of my favourite Librivox readers, Mark Smith. He also read Mysterious Island which I reviewed a while ago.

Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 2/3

Total 7/9

You can read more of my reviews at http://freeaudioreview.blogspot.com/

803,206 Views

65 Favorites

10 Reviews