The Cave Girl
📘 About This Book
The transformation of a highly civilized, blue-blooded young Bostonian into the savage bone-and-muscle chief of a band of shaggy cavemen is a challenge worthy of the talents of the man who created Tarzan of the Apes. In THE CAVE GIRL, Edgar Rice Burroughs tells, in a thrill-after-thrill novel, the story of Waldo Smith-Jones and how his desperate effort to survive on a lost island of primitive men and primitive beasts. How Waldo was given the name of Thandar, how he had won the hand of the cave princess Nadara, and how he overcame the most desperate of odds make this a real Tarzan-type epic.
📖 Summary
The Cave Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs, published in 2012 and spanning 172 pages of thrilling fiction, offers a captivating journey into the wild where civilization clashes directly with raw, unbridled nature. At the center of the narrative is Waldo Smith-Jones, a highly civilized, blue-blooded young man hailing from Boston. Thrown into circumstances entirely foreign to his refined upbringing, Waldo finds himself stranded on a mysterious and dangerous lost island. This isolated landmass is dominated not by the polite society he once knew, but by primitive men and savage, prehistoric beasts. What begins as a desperate, struggle-for-survival scenario soon evolves into a profound personal transformation. Stripped of the comforts, luxuries, and social constructs of his former life, Waldo must adapt to the unforgiving environment or perish. Through this grueling process, the gentle Bostonian undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis, shedding his old identity to emerge as the savage, bone-and-muscle chief of a band of shaggy cavemen. Alongside this physical and psychological evolution, the novel delivers classic adventure tropes that fans of the author will instantly recognize and appreciate. Waldo earns a new moniker, becoming known among the island inhabitants as Thandar. His journey is further defined by his romantic and heroic entanglements, notably how he wins the hand of the cave princess Nadara. As Thandar, he must navigate deadly political dynamics, hostile tribes, and ferocious wildlife, overcoming the most desperate of odds using newfound strength, cunning, and primal instinct. Written with the pacing and excitement that made Edgar Rice Burroughs a household name, The Cave Girl stands as a quintessential Tarzan-type epic. It explores timeless themes of adaptability, the thin veneer of human civilization, and the inner strength that emerges when human beings are pushed to their absolute limits. Readers looking for a fast-paced, imaginative escape into a forgotten world of danger and romance will find much to enjoy in this thrilling page-turner.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Fast-paced and thrilling adventure from start to finish
Engaging transformation arc of the main character
Exotic setting featuring primitive men and beasts
Classic storytelling style from a legendary author
⚠️ Cons
Relatively short length at 172 pages
Follows familiar adventure formulas seen in other works by the author
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of The Cave Girl? +
The book was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs.
When was this edition published? +
This edition was published in 2012.
How many pages does the book have? +
The book contains 172 pages.
Who is the main character? +
The main character is Waldo Smith-Jones, who later becomes known as Thandar.
What is the general style of the novel? +
It is a thrill-after-thrill, Tarzan-type epic adventure featuring primitive men and beasts.












