Tarnsman of Gor by John Norman Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Tarnsman of Gor
Book Review: A fantasy world in many ways
Summary: 4 Stars
John Norman has created here a vision of another path that our world might have taken. It is one of the more interesting alternate world theories that I have read in some time. It is so often that we set our stories in the future to such a degree as to make our own influences unreconizable in our stories. As a matter of fact, some very compelling literature certainly exists whose strong point is that it challenges the reader to accept the enormity of time and our own insignificance. John Norman has done something different here.
This book sets the stage for what might be conisdered an individualistis idealism played out through the character of Tarl Cabot. Finding himself in a strange place with very little point of reference, he seems to thrive through the use of his own intellect and physical skill. He creates an unexpected path to success in a strange land filled with foreign social mores and codes.
It offers an interesting commentary for our times where we are inundated with the need for diversity, many times without any full regard for what that might mean. Some will find Norman's treatment of women in this novel as misogynistic, but in the given culture which he creates, it must be considered that no matter how foreign it seems to us, he is seeking an ideal of beauty that he has conceived through his own creative fiction.
Perhaps it is not so strange to acknowledge that some of this is male fantasy, but it is true that there are those women who find Norman's ideas as compelling. However, there are also men who would find Norman's exploration of this fantasy unappealing. Gender lines are not so simple as to be about body parts alone, and we must be aware that as diversity becomes a part of our cultural lexicaon, that our social mores will have to bend and be more accepting of other cultures. We cannot be dogmatic about the nature of human rights if we are truly committed to valuing the diversity of our world. Our world is not one community, it is many, and all of them have a right to retain their traditions and hopes. Perhaps for some, being able to embrace a fictional world with differing mores will be a jumping off point to be able to value different cultures without feeling the need to censor what they feel are the ugly parts.
This is definitely worth the read not only as a work of fiction, but as a philosophical exploration of human cultures and potential alternatives. Incidentally, John Norman is a psudonym for Philospher John Lange who has written the Cognitivity Paradox, also worth reading.
Book Review: Adventure on the other side of the sun...
Summary: 4 Stars
John Norman provides an entertaining adventure for those of us who fantasize about being swordsmen in a place where men are definitely men and women are the natural slaves to such men. As twisted as Norman may get in later books of the series, he does strike a cord in me with this escape from modern America and it's feminization of men. Of course the main character, Tarl Cabot, is appalled by the brutality of the culture he is thrust into on the other side of the sun. However, he survives his blundered attempts to apply civilized methods to the hostile world of Gor and succeeds against overwhelming odds while winning the woman of his dreams.
The impossible escapes and physical situations that some reviewers criticized are no different than those we find in other adventure stories in literature and in movies. I do not find Norman's writing style cumbersome even though he probably would not make an "A" in most writing classes. This is an entertaining and light read. I recommend the series through at least the ninth book (my favorite).
Book Review: Amateur writing
Summary: 2 Stars
I was curious about this long series of books, and decided to give it a go. I have read the first two books. The second one is much better than the first, but this is not saying much.
The writing is REALLY amateurish. Seriously, I can not explain how J. Norman got the chance to publish a second book. The actions and motives of the characters are not clear. In fact, they do not behave human-like at all. The plot progresses mindlessly from action sequence to action sequence (the same pattern in the second book) and in between there are pages of what reads like summaries of old anthropology and sociology textbooks, in the guise of descriptions of Gor's customs. Unconvincingly, it is all put in the main caracter's mouth, who stays in Gor for about three months but manages to become a real expert in everything about the alien planet, including hand to hand combat, bird riding, protocol, philosophy, etc.
I am rating it with two stars because of the raw enthusiasm of J. Norman while writing this, which comes through quite clear.
Book Review: Amazing
Summary: 1 Stars
Who reads this tripe? The ideas are ludicrous and the writing is horrid. Perhaps another esteemed reviewer is correct in the 'teen-aged boys' comment. This book sucks any intelligence out of its reader.Book Review: Awkward, but good.
Summary: 3 Stars
I said "good", not great. I really enjoyed the beginning and the end but the middle was a little burdensome. I don't mind all of Tarl Cabot's "luck" at all (as some have taken issue with). It is the will of the Priest Kings. :-)
I'm working my way back through the series. I read it all as a teenager back in the early 80's but only made it to about Assassins. I can't even remember why I quit but I suppose I'll find out soon enough.
Norman's writing style is difficult at best. But the storyline wins out. I read this 40th anniversary edition of Tarnsman in single day. It was well worth my time and I found the last few chapters went by entirely too quickly. Looking forward to Amazon sending out the next 5 to me.