The Tarzan Twins

by Edgar Rice Burroughs

Two schoolboys, Dick and Doc, are cousins who resemble each other because their mothers are twins. As Dick is also related to Tarzan through his father, they become known as the Tarzan Twins. Invited to visit Tarzan's African estate, they become lost in the jungle and are imprisoned by cannibals, from whom they escape. They are then reunited with their host, who introduces them to his pet lion, Jad-bal-ja. Subsequently, they become involved in an adventure involving exiles from the lost city of Opar, who have kidnapped Gretchen von Harben, the daughter of a missionary. The Tarzan Twins, like all well-behaved twins, were born on the same day and, although they were not as "alike as two peas," still they resembled one another quite closely enough to fulfill that particular requirement of twinship; but even there they commenced breaking the rules that have been governing twins during the past several millions of years, for Dick had a shock of the blackest sort of black hair, while Doc's hair was the sunny hue of molasses candy. Their noses were alike, their blue eyes were alike; alike were their chins and their mouths. Perhaps Doc's eyes twinkled more and his mouth smiled more than Dick's for Dick did much of his twinkling and smiling inside and inside the boys were very much alike, indeed. It is simply staggering to discover what a boy can accomplish if he makes up his mind to it and so it was not long before Dick and Doc did excel in nearly all athletic sports and when it came to climbing trees -- well, Tarzan himself would have had no reason to be ashamed of them. Though their scholastic standing may have suffered a little in the following months of athletic effort, their muscles did not, and as vacation time approached, Dick and Doc had become as hard as nails and as active as a couple of manus, which you will know, if your education has not been neglected, is the ape-word for monkeys. Then it was that the big surprise came in a letter that Dick received from his mother. Tarzan of the Apes had invited them all to visit him and spend two months on his great African estate! The boys were so excited that they talked until three o'clock the next morning and flunked in all their classes that day.

Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Fiction, Young Adult, Classics, Pulp, Action

60 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1927

About the author

Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.

Reviews

[A.E. Chandler · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Louie the Mustache Matos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins is a two-novella anthology compilation of ERB stories that are listed as part of the Tarzan continuity but are not included as part of the 24-book series, because the stories were specifically written as stories marketed for younger readers. The first novella, "The Tarzan Twins," fits right after Tarzan and the Ant Men, while the second novella titled, "Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins, with Jad-bal-ja, the Golden Lion," fits right after Tarzan and the Lost Empire. There is almost a ten-year gap between the Tarzan Twin novellas.

The first novella introduces the twins as actual cousins born to twin sisters. One of the sisters is the wife of a Greystoke relative to Tarzan. The boys are named Dick and Doc who met at a "bougie" private school for future British aristocrats. On their fourteenth summer vacation they get to spend time with their uncle Tarzan, but on the way their train is derailed, and they wander into the jungle, where they are pursued and captured by cannibals.

The second novella with the way-too-wordy title picks up with the cousins that look like twins spending some quality time with their uncle instructing them on jungle craft. Tarzan also introduces them to Jad-bal-ja, his pet lion. Somehow along the way, the Twins get separated from Tarzan, and they witness the mistreatment of a white girl by followers of the Flaming God who hail from Opar and are seeking a high place to continue their worship and make sacrifices. Doc and Dick decide that they cannot just continue on their way without getting involved.

Overall, there does not feel like a marked difference between these stories and those listed in the continuity, other than less description of the kills and fights, which still happen although they end quicker. The flowery language is limited with less opportunities to wax poetic. Lastly, I really believe that this is one of the few ERB works that I had never read. I, of course, loved it.

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first "new" Tarzan in 30+ years -- back when I was younger, I read, well, I don't think the entire 24 mainline book series, but a good chunk of them, at least. But the "Tarzan Twins" stories weren't even on my radar -- they weren't part of the mainline series, and I'm not sure if they were even in print at the time.

And having now read the first of the two novella-length, definitely aimed at a younger audience stories (this one was originally written & published between Tarzan and the Ant Men and Tarzan and the Lost Empire and that's where it takes place in the timeline; the sequel, Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins with Jad-bal-ja the Golden Lion wasn't written until the 1930s, but is a direct sequel to the first Twins book and also slots directly between Ant Men and Lost Empire), I honestly hadn't missed much.

The Tarzan Twins are not, in fact, twins -- they're cousins! Identical cousins! (Well, except for their hair color -- one is black-haired and the other blonde.) Their mothers are twins, and one of their fathers is distantly related to Tarzan, which explains how Dick & Doc find themselves on a train traveling through the heart of the jungle. And of course, when the train temporarily stops due to a busted rail, they promptly wander off into the jungle, get hopelessly lost, and get captured by cannibals, and, well, amazingly enough, Burroughs' portrayal of the natives in this children's book is even WORSE than his portrayals in previous Tarzan books; in large part because our insufferable little heroes, when discussing their predicament, use some really not-great slang. No, not THAT word, or any of its cognates, but it's still pretty bad.

And, sigh, they manage to escape through feats of derring-do, and get rescued at the last second by Tarzan himself, even though the stewpot might have been a better destination for the insufferable little twerps.

More like a 2.5 than a 3, really, and eminently skippable.

[Norman Howe · Rating 2 out of 5]

This young adult novel is only peripherally a Tarzan novel, as he only appears at the end. I give it low ratings because of racist content unsuitable for young readers.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm about 90% sure I never read this one and I wasn't missing much. This was written just a few years before the appearance of the first comic book sidekick, Robin the Boy Wonder, and it was probably meant to serve the same purpose. Sidekicks like Robin were introduced to comic books to give a younger audience a character they could identify with. It was thought that kids would be more interested in comics if there was a kid in the comic and it would bring younger readers in. (A similar thought process led to the inclusion of Captain Stubing's daughter, Vickie, on the Love Boat. If you don't know what I'm talking about, ask your parents - or grandparents.)

In this case, two first cousins are called the Tarzan twins for rather tortured reasons. It seems their mothers were twin sisters and one married an American and stayed in the States while the other one married a distant cousin of Lord Greystoke and settled in England. The sisters had sons on the same day but on different continents. One is blond and one is dark and one is named Doc and the other is Dick but don't ask me which is which. They're pretty interchangeable.

When they go to school together their schoolmates dub them the Tarzan twins due to the distant connection to Tarzan and their resemblance to one another. To try to live up to the name they learn to climb trees and participate in athletics to make themselves strong and fit. When the chance comes to travel to Africa to visit the Greystokes at the age of 14, they jump at it. Of course they get lost in the jungle and are captured by cannibals.

There isn't anything new or particularly memorable about this one other than the introduction of mini Tarzans, something we never asked for and didn't need. We already have a much better example with Korak - Son of Tarzan - and I found these boys annoying to the extreme. It's nice and short at least, but there's another one coming up behind it so I'm not quite done with these two, unfortunately. I have to give this one 3 stars just because Tarzan appears, but it's really a 2 star book at best.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short, fast read, only 11 chapters. This is more like a children book offshoot of the Tarzan series.

Two young boys, one a relative of Tarzan, travel to a visit Tarzan’s compound and get lost along the way. They end up having a similar, but short adventure as when Tarzan’s son (and everyone else) has gotten lost in the jungle.

Footnote: 1) Why in the world with they let two young boys travel by themselves to Africa of all places. Anybody who know young boys knows how they so easy get into mischief. They could have at least hired somebody to travel with them. Vert poor parenting.

Fave scenes: Dick killing the lion.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a stand alone book, this is hard to rate. As the next book is called “ Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins with Jad-bal-ja the Golden Lion” I am assuming this is an introductory book to the next story.

As such, this is a fun short story, and “short” being the operative word. The story follows two cousins Dick and Doc. They are distant relatives of Tarzan, both teenagers. They are allowed to go visit Tarzan in Africa. Due to a issue with the train they are on, they get off and decide to explore the jungle, but soon get lost. They soon realise the real Africa is far different to the one they had pictured or read about.

[LadyCalico · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute kiddie-tale in which two boys en route to visit the cousin of one of them, Tarzan, get very lost in the jungle and encounter a series of life threatening adventures, including, surprise, cannibals! This book would probably make Tarzan purists very upset since, presented as a Tarzan book, Tarzan is given but a few passing mentions and only appears at the very end. Even so, if you are determined to finish the Tarzan series, this one will provide a fun, adventurous, and humorous way to kill a few hours and a few brain cells.

[Vickie Woodard · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the movie ‘John Carter of Mars’ debuted SEVERAL years ago, I went on an Edgar Rice Burroughs reading binge, starting with ‘A Princess of Mars’
I read all the John Carter books, and even the Pellucidar novels, but somehow I missed Tarzan.
This book is short and more YA than the John Carter books.
The twins part is misleading. The boys are cousins.
And the way they trick their captors is childish at best.
But I’m glad I finally read one of the books from the Tarzan universe.
The book includes a brief biography of Burroughs. That’s the best part of the book.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the two stories that ERB wrote for younger readers. Tarzan isn't in them as much but they are fun. They are two short stories about Doc and Dick, the "twins", on their way to Africa for a stay at Tarzan's estate one summer.

[Nickolai · Rating 4 out of 5]

В принципе, неплохая детская книга о приключениях в джунглях. Вот только во второй части было довольно странно читать, с какой легкостью подросток убивает других людей, пусть даже и угрожающих его жизни.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bizarre little story written by Burroughs for a younger audience. Although it takes place in the Tarzan universe, Goodreads doesn't list it as part of the Tarzan series.
It's a fun read but like some other Tarzan books, the casual racism of the era occasionally comes through.

[Maritn Priddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is shorter than most of the Tarzan novels. I will not give any details as that would spoil the fun. It does not have as many of the page turning thrills of most of the others in the series as it is short, but there are some. A good, fun read. 3 ½ Aces.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly about two boys... Tarzan hardly appears in the book at all.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twins unrelated to Tarzan take a trip to visit relatives in Africa, but things don't go as planned. More of a novella, hardly belonging in the Tarzan canon.

[Steve Bigler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very short (60 pages) and straightforward story. Predictable. The racism is hard to read. Does not have the intriguing plot devices characteristic of the best Tarzan stories.

[Ric Croxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tarzan and The Tarzan Twins

This was the best kids book I have ever read. I wish all kids book were as good as this.

[Addyson Huneke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a lot shorter and had a lot less Tarzan, but was still good. I finished in in an hour or less.

[Kevin Dumcum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins
4/5 stars

I've been a huge Tarzan fan since I was very young. I always related more with Tarzan's son, Korak -- I could not be Tarzan, I was not orphaned in the jungle as a baby and raised by apes. But I could be Korak, running away to the jungle as a lad.

“Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins” is a mashup of two short stories written by Tarzan scribe Edgar Rice Burroughs for a younger audience. The 14-year-old “twins” (actually, cousins born on the same day) Doc and Dick, who I think are second cousins of Lord Greystoke, are invited to spend the summer at his African manor. The train they are taking stops for minor repairs, the twins wander into the jungle and immediately get lost, and are eventually captured by cannibals who decide to fatten them up before eating them.

One thing I really appreciate about this story is how the boys grow in their skills in order to rescue themselves. Tarzan makes an appearance only at the very end of this first story, and immediately leaves them a the beginning of the second story that launches the boys’ next adventure – trying to outwit and escape from the Oparians who have been exiled by La.

I love how Burroughs weaves in elements from the main Tarzan mythos (La, the Waziri). No Jane, no Korak, no Nkima, but Jad-bal-ja the Golden Lion does factor prominently in the second story.

This book is a lot of fun. Had I read this as a boy, I very likely would have been sorely tempted to wander into our local woods to find my own adventure.

[Kristen (belles_bookshelves) · Rating 2 out of 5]

"In the jungle only the brave may live."

Not the best Tarzan novel I've read, but not the worst either. It's less than 100 pages so there's not really any time for it to drag on and get too boring.

I read a previous review that mentioned this was published around the era of "sidekicks" to superheroes and I don't know if that's true or not, but it certainly has the feel of that for sure. I feel like this could be the Batman Twins lose in the jungles of Gotham. It has that feel of young kids being thrust into something bigger than themselves, but somehow preserving over it. Lions, train crashes, cannibals, whatever.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a stand alone book, this is hard to rate. As the next book is called “ Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins with Jad-bal-ja the Golden Lion” I am assuming this is an introductory book to the next story.

As such, this is a fun short story, and “short” being the operative word. The story follows two cousins Dick and Doc. They are distant relatives of Tarzan, both teenagers. They are allowed to go visit Tarzan in Africa. Due to a issue with the train they are on, they get off and decide to explore the jungle, but soon get lost. They soon realise the real Africa is far different to the one they had pictured or read about.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is hilarious! The Tarzan Twins are first cousins and were born on the same day, and one of them is a distant relative of Lord Greystoke, thus their friends called them "Tarzan Twins". They wanted to live up to the name, so became very physically active. Plus they are clever. So when they are invited to visit Tarzan in Africa, the 14 year old boys jump at the chance. Enter a train derailment, walk into the jungle, and many adventures. I loved this book.

[Norman Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novella was written by Edgar Rice Burroughs for younger readers. It was originally published in October 1927. It is far from Burroughs' best writing. I don't think Burroughs was a racist, but this story has more racial stereotypes in it than just about any of his other works. The story itself plods along in a very predictable fashion.

[Charles · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is an attempt by Burroughs to write a juvenile book and it really didn't work. I didn't care for it at all. The edition I have is from Wildside Press. Someone who is collecting ERB and wants to have a complete run of the Tarzan stories might want it.

[Cecil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story was OK, I doubt that I would want my children reading it because of the racial stereotyping in the book.

[Skyelr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I would have loved it when I was younger. I can't wait to read it with my son.

[Francisco Lizardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

En esta novela fue el colmo, Tarzán se le mencionó solo dos veces y no hizo nada, solo aparecer al final, no mostrando protagonismo como se espera de una novela de él.