The Son of Tarzan
📘 About This Book
The Son of Tarzan begins ten years after the conclusion of The Beasts of Tarzan. During the past decade, Alexis Paulvitch, who had escaped Tarzan at the end of the last novel, has lived a hideous life of abuse and disease among tribal people in Africa. Now he is discovered by a European ship and taken aboard. In the months that follows, Paulvitch encounters the ape, Akut, (whom Tarzan had befriended in that previous story) at one of the ship's stops. Because of Akut's interactions with Tarzan, he is unafraid of white men, and Paulvitch, unaware of the previous relationship, sees an opportunity to make some money. He takes Akut to London and begins displaying him publicly. After the trauma of the kidnappings ten years earlier, Jane has refused to return to Africa or to allow Jack to know anything about his father's past for fear that he might somehow try to relive it. Perhaps she instinctively knew that Jack was somehow very connected to Tarzan's old life, for Jack did have an avid interest in wildlife and he was extremely athletic. When the Claytons hear about the displayed ape, they forbid Jack from going to see it. But he sneaks off and does so anyway. John Clayton follows his son and is surprised to find the ape is his old friend, Akut, and begins conversing with him. Jack is amazed to see that his father could do so. John then tells Jack of his life as Tarzan. Jack continues sneaking away to see Akut and begins to learn the language of the apes. Jack forms a plan to take Akut back to the jungle. Paulvitch, seeing an opportunity for revenge against Tarzan, agrees to help Jack. They escape to an African port where Paulvitch attacks Jack. Akut kills Paulvitch, and Jack, terrified, escapes into the jungle with him, thinking he will have to run for the rest of his life.
📖 Summary
The Son of Tarzan, authored by Edgar Rice Burroughs and published in 2021 across 347 pages, shifts the narrative focus from the legendary lord of the jungle to the next generation. The story begins ten years after the dramatic events of The Beasts of Tarzan. During the preceding decade, Alexis Paulvitch, the villain who managed to escape Tarzan at the conclusion of the previous novel, has endured a wretched and brutal existence marked by abuse and disease among tribal people in Africa. Eventually, Paulvitch's desperate circumstances change when he is discovered by a European ship and taken aboard as a passenger or crew member. In the months that follow his rescue, the ship makes various stops, during one of which Paulvitch encounters Akut, the very same ape that Tarzan had befriended in the preceding story. Because of Akut's prior, positive interactions with Tarzan, the intelligent ape is notably unafraid of white men. Paulvitch, completely unaware of Akut's history and prior relationship with his arch-enemy Tarzan, quickly recognizes a lucrative opportunity to capitalize on the creature. Driven by greed, he captures Akut, transports him to London, and begins displaying him publicly as a sideshow attraction or exotic spectacle. Meanwhile, back in civilization, the legacy of the jungle continues to cast a long shadow over the family. Following the severe trauma of the kidnappings that occurred ten years earlier, Jane has resolutely refused to ever return to Africa. Furthermore, she is deeply protective of their son, Jack, and has strictly forbidden him from learning about or experiencing the wild ways of the jungle that defined his father's upbringing. This setup creates an inevitable generational conflict as the past catches up with the family in unexpected ways, blending urban society with the untamed wilderness of Africa. As Paulvitch exploits Akut in the heart of London, the stage is set for a thrilling continuation of the saga where the sins of the past inevitably collide with the innocent future of Tarzan's lineage, testing the boundaries between civilized society and raw primal nature.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Continues the overarching narrative arc involving classic characters and their lingering rivalries.
Brings familiar elements from the jungle into a contrasting urban London setting.
Explores the psychological aftermath of past trauma on family dynamics, particularly regarding Jane and Jack.
Features the return of memorable figures like Alexis Paulvitch and the ape Akut.
⚠️ Cons
The premise relies heavily on coincidence regarding Paulvitch encountering the exact ape Tarzan knew.
The plot retreads familiar themes of exploitation and captivity established in earlier installments.
✍️ About the Author
❓ FAQ
When does The Son of Tarzan take place? +
The novel begins ten years after the conclusion of The Beasts of Tarzan.
What happened to Alexis Paulvitch before the story starts? +
He spent a decade living a hideous life of abuse and disease among tribal people in Africa after escaping Tarzan.
How does Paulvitch cross paths with Akut? +
Paulvitch is taken aboard a European ship and encounters Akut during one of the ship's stops.
Why is Akut unafraid of white men? +
Akut is unafraid because of his previous friendly interactions with Tarzan.
Why has Jane refused to return to Africa? +
Jane refuses to return due to the severe trauma of the kidnappings that occurred ten years earlier.
