The Return of Tarzan

The Return of Tarzan is a book by Edgar Rice Burroughs, first published in 1913. As the thrilling second installment in the classic Tarzan series, this novel follows the Ape Man as he attempts to navigate the complexities of "civilized" society after his initial encounter with Jane Porter. Disillusioned by the duplicity of the modern world and nursing a broken heart, Tarzan — now known by his hereditary title, Lord Greystoke — finds himself embroiled in high-stakes international intrigue and dangerous espionage that takes him from the streets of Paris to the scorching sands of Algeria.

The narrative reaches a fever pitch when Tarzan is cast away on the shores of his native Africa, stripping away the thin veneer of European manners to reveal the primal warrior within. Here, Edgar Rice Burroughs masterfully blends the pulp fiction adventure genre with lost-world fantasy. The Ape Man encounters the legendary, gold-laden city of Opar — a forgotten colony of Atlantis — where he must face the beautiful but deadly High Priestess La and her horde of beast-like men. This pivotal entry in the Tarzan chronicles explores the eternal struggle between man’s animal instincts and his civilized soul.

Accompanying Tarzan on this perilous journey are memorable characters like the loyal Paul d'Arnot and the treacherous duo Nikolas Rokoff and Alexis Paulvitch, whose villainy forces the hero back into the jungle. As a seminal work of 20th-century adventure literature, Burroughs’ writing remains unmatched in its ability to transport readers to a world of untamed wilderness and hidden civilizations. Whether you are a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer to the Tarzan of the Apes legacy, this sequel offers a fast-paced, atmospheric experience that defines the quintessential hero’s journey.