Audiobook Sample

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  • Title: Tarzan of the Apes
  • Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
  • Narrator: Mark F. Smith
  • Length: 09:23:00
  • Version: Abridged
  • Release Date: 01/01/2011
  • Publisher: LibriVox
  • Genre: Fiction & Literature, Action & Adventure
  • ISBN13: SABFAB9780321
Hello, fellow travelers and tale-chasers,

It reminds me of a time when I was trekking through the dense jungles of Costa Rica, the air thick with the hum of life, the canopy overhead a tapestry of green that swallowed the sky. I’d slipped on my headphones, craving a story that could match the wildness around me, and there it was – Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs, narrated by Mark F. Smith. From the first words, I was hooked, pulled into a world where the line between man and beast blurs, where survival is a dance of instinct and grit. This audiobook experience didn’t just fill the silence; it painted the jungle around me with new colors, as if Tarzan himself might swing down from the vines above.

The story unfolds like a trail through uncharted territory. John Clayton II, an English lord orphaned in the African wilderness, is raised by a motherly ape named Kala. You can almost hear the rustle of leaves as he grows among his ape tribe, a white, hairless outsider who still calls them his own. Burroughs spins a tale that’s equal parts improbable and irresistible – primitive weapons in hand, Tarzan faces down stronger apes who see him as a threat, only to later grapple with the pull of his human heritage when he meets Jane Porter and the trappings of civilization. It’s a classic adventure, serialized in 1912 before blooming into a full novel in 1914, and it carries that pulp-era energy: bold, unapologetic, and brimming with heart.

For me, this audiobook stirred memories of evenings in Oaxaca, where a grandmother’s voice wove tales under a flickering lantern. Her pacing, her pauses – those were the threads that held us spellbound. Mark F. Smith channels that same oral magic here. His narration is steady yet vibrant, with a timbre that feels like it’s been seasoned by the wild itself. You can almost taste the damp earth and hear the distant roar of a beast as he voices Tarzan’s primal cries or Jane’s cultured lilt. Smith doesn’t just read – he performs, giving each character a distinct soul that lingers long after the chapter ends. The audio quality, delivered through LibriVox’s free platform, is crisp and unadorned, letting the story shine without distraction.

At its core, Tarzan of the Apes wrestles with big questions: What makes us human? How do heredity and environment shape who we become? The clash of civilization and savagery plays out as Tarzan straddles two worlds – ape and aristocrat – while his love for Jane tugs him toward a life he barely understands. There’s an escapist thrill in it, a chance to shed the weight of modern rules and run free through the jungle. But it’s not all romantic abandon. Burroughs’ 1912 lens shows its age with racial stereotypes that jar today – portrayals of Black Africans that feel reductive and dated. It’s a flaw that tempers the tale, a reminder that even adventure classics carry the baggage of their time.

Still, the strengths outweigh the stumbles. The action pulses – think Tarzan wrestling a gorilla or outsmarting a rival ape – and the romance with Jane simmers with a tender, earnest pull. Smith’s narration amplifies it all, his voice a steady guide through the chaos. Compared to other adventure greats like H. Rider Haggard’s King Solomon’s Mines or Kipling’s The Jungle Book, Tarzan stands apart. Where those lean on exploration or allegory, Burroughs blends raw physicality with a deeper tug-of-war over identity. It’s less polished, sure, but that roughness is part of its charm.

The listening experience is a gift, especially since it’s free through LibriVox. No abridgment, no cost – just 9 hours and 22 minutes of pure, untamed storytelling. That accessibility makes it a treasure for anyone craving an audiobook free of barriers. Smith’s performance elevates it beyond a simple read-aloud; it’s a journey you feel in your bones. Yet, I’ll admit, there are moments where the prose feels thin – Burroughs isn’t crafting high literature here. The dialogue can creak, and the plot leans hard on coincidence. But in Smith’s hands, those quirks fade into the background, smoothed by his warm, engaging delivery.

Who’s this for? If you love action and adventure with a dash of romance, this audiobook’s your ticket. It’s perfect for long drives, hikes, or nights when you want a story to sweep you away. Fans of classic fiction and literature will find plenty to chew on, too – just brace for those dated bits. If you’ve ever felt caught between two worlds, Tarzan’s struggle might hit close to home.

Reflecting on it now, I think of that Costa Rican jungle again – the way the audiobook wove into the wild around me, making every rustle and shadow part of the tale. It’s the kind of experience that lingers, like a good meal shared with strangers who become friends. Mark F. Smith didn’t just narrate Tarzan of the Apes – he brought it to life, and for that, I’m grateful.

Until our next adventure, stay curious and keep listening,
Marcus Rivera