Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy (Tarzan a Legend Reborn)

Many years ago I remember watching a black and white cartoon, Popeye I think, which featured a song called "Leave Well Enough Alone" and I think this applies all too well here. The Tarzan novels are classics in their own right and do not need reworking, revamping or updating. You never hear of some hack artist trying to improve on the Mona Lisa by painting her with eyebrows or headphones so why should someone try to do this with the Lord of the Jungle. I really wish I had never read this as it has soured the memories of my initial readings somewhat. Perhaps it would have been better if the author had steered away from the Tarzan connection altogether and just written a novel about a wild man in the jungle without the use of the trademark characters, In saying that however the book is not that well written but I suppose it will appeal to it's target audience of younger readers brought up on novels and films featuring teenage angst.

I must say that I am deeply pleased that I made the brilliant decision of buying this book by Andy Briggs. His creative and picturesque writing portrays Tarzan of the apes in a most intriguing and realistic light. In this modernized story, the famous ape-man has a strong despise for hunters and loggers and will stop at nothing to prevent the senseless killing of jungle animals and deforestation of his jungle, even if it means killing them.Jane Porter is the teenage daughter of Archie Porter, the boss of a team of loggers. One of them is her friend Robbie Canler who, apart from working with the loggers, also appears to be on the run from something.One day, Jane goes missing and with the loggers not wanting to enter the treacherous Congo jungle, Robbie sets off on his own to find her, fighting against dangerous jungle animals and a group of ruthless rebel soldiers hiding out in the jungle.I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is high in action which never leaves or dissatisfies the reader and has a believable and gripping story. Jane started off as an irritating spoiled teenage girl but became a stronger and more likable character as the story continued and I liked that. Tarzan is mysterious and amazing as always and the villains are realistic and easy to hate.Tarzan: The Greystoke Legacy - I recommend this book with two thumbs up!

I wanted to write an expanded review of this book, but then I read another reader's review (Mr. Lawrence's) and he just about sums up my feelings towards this book.This is a re-imagination of the Tarzan character, but rather of the 'Tarzan The Apeman' version (the movie with Johnny Weissmuller - which was already re-done with Denny Miller and Miles O'Keeffe) and not the original Tarzan.I have to say it's excellently done, so if you're looking for a 'new' Tarzan for the 'Twilight' generation, this might just be your thing. Personally, I was hoping (and expecting) ERB's Tarzan to re-emerge, so I can't help being a bit disappointed.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this updated version of the first Tarzan story. It is set in the modern world - unscrupulous loggers, a battered i-phone and going into town for an internet connection - but it retains the essence of the story and the wonders of the jungle and its natural inhabitants that I experience when I read the original book in my own teenage years.The story is well written, using a wide vocabulary and I would recommend it to early teenagers.

Swing into now wow

Daughter thoroughly enjoyed this book

A good twist on the original story as it is modern but Tarzan was more savage than the original. Also there was some mild language in it which I do not care for.

As a long-time admirer of ERB's works I'd felt for some time that Tarzan should be updated, whether in film or book form, and was pleased when I discovered that Andy Briggs was doing just that. Along with the upcoming John Carter film this seemed to be bringing fresh life to the old master's two iconic heroes.There are some things to admire in Andy's reimagination: the realistic portrayal of the jungle is interesting; the updating of the Greystokes' backstory is well thought out; and the early grittiness of the action makes the reader sit up and take note.For the experienced ERB reader however where it falls down is in the portrayal of the ape-man himself. This Tarzan is only ever seen through the eyes of other characters, most prominently Jane - and this, along with his stilted dialogue, make him more reminiscent of Johnny Weismuller rather than the educated and articulate hero depicted by ERB.This feels more Jane's story rather than Tarzan's and is weaker because of it. There is also no sense of connection between Tarzan and Jane, no romance, no passion. Jane doesn't even seem to think about romance, let alone consider Tarzan in that way - almost unheard of in a teenage girl surely? This seems a missed chance because there are parallels with the Twilight saga, with the respective heroines drawn passionately to dangerous and unacceptable lovers, whether the savage wildman or the vampire.My guess is that the long term ERB admirers aren't the target audience for this reboot; the money seems to be in the teen audience these days. And that's a shame, because Tarzan isn't a "teen" character. He was ready for updating certainly, and much of Andy's premise works: but it should have been an adult action novel keeping faith with the passionate and archetypal nature of the characters.