Edgar Rice Burroughs' fifth Tarzan novel is a whirlwind of jungle pulp at its finest. If you thought Tarzan had faced it all, this book throws him a curveball that changes the game.

The Story

Tarzan's civilized life is in trouble. Bad investments back in England mean he needs money, fast. His solution? Return to the lost city of Opar, source of the gold that once funded his estate, to take more of its treasure. But Opar is a cursed place ruled by the high priestess La, who still carries a torch for the ape-man. Things go sideways fast. An earthquake hits during the raid, and a falling stone knocks Tarzan out, giving him a severe case of amnesia.

Now, the Lord of the Jungle is just a confused, powerful savage again. Meanwhile, the villainous Belgian, Albert Werper, who followed Tarzan to Opar, sees his chance. He steals a fortune in jewels meant for Tarzan and makes his escape. The plot thickens when Werper crosses paths with Jane, who is out searching for her missing husband. He kidnaps her, leading to a desperate chase. The book becomes a triple race: Tarzan, rediscovering his instincts, trying to piece together who he is; Jane, fighting for survival; and Werper, trying to flee with the loot while the vengeful priests of Opar close in from behind.

Why You Should Read It

This might be my favorite Tarzan book because it strips him down—literally and figuratively. Seeing the cultured Greystoke vanish, replaced by the raw, instinctual man of the wild, is fascinating. The amnesia isn't just a cheap trick; it forces him to choose who he is all over again. The action is relentless, from leopard fights to last-minute rescues, but it's grounded by the real stakes: Jane and Tarzan's relationship. Jane isn't just a damsel; she's clever and resilient, doing everything she can to survive and find her way back to him. La, the tragic priestess, adds a layer of doomed romance and real pathos. It's a story about identity, love, and greed, all wrapped up in a breakneck adventure.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves pure, undiluted adventure stories. If you enjoy the pacing of an old movie serial—where every chapter ends with a cliffhanger—you'll devour this. It's also a great pick for fans of classic characters tested to their absolute limits. You don't need to have read the earlier books to jump in; Burroughs gives you everything you need. Just be ready for a wild ride through forgotten cities and dense jungle, where the real treasure is the thrilling story itself.