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Rating: Summary: ERB writes a ripping historical novel of a knight of yore Review: Edgar Rice Burroughs is best known for his Tarzan novels and better known for his Mars, Pellucidar and other science-fiction series, but "The Outlaw of Torn" is one of his very best pulp fiction yarns. Henry III of England insults Sir Jules de Vac, who takes his vengeance by kidnapping young Prince Richard, a figure, Burroughs loves to point out, who has been lost to the pages of history. As Norman, the Outlaw of Torn, the young man becomes the greatest swordsman in England and a fearless outlaw with a price upon his head who raises an army loyal only to him. Of course, although he is ignorant of his noble birth, he is drawn to the lovely Bertrade de Montfort, daughter of the King's brother-in-law, the Earl of Leicester. This romance fits in nicely with the plans of de Vac, who repeatedly contrives situations for the king to be responsible for killing his own son. The obvious comparison for "The Outlaw of Torn" is with Robin Hood, but Burroughs' pulp novel has its own tale to tell. This is one of his best novels and as an example of the pulp fiction of the early 20th century it is a first-class work. Burroughs did such a nice job of using swordplay in his John Carter novels, that it is a real treat to see what he could do with a "historical" novel and a surprise that he did not do more of these. But then we all know that his publishers were always after him for another Tarzan novel, and another, and another, ad infinitum. I read every ERB novel I could get my hands on as a kid I can tell you that "The Outlaw of Torn" is actually the one I re-read the most. Yes, even more than "Tarzan of the Apes."
Rating: Summary: ERB writes a ripping historical novel of a knight of yore Review: Edgar Rice Burroughs is best known for his Tarzan novels and better known for his Mars, Pellucidar and other science-fiction series, but "The Outlaw of Torn" is one of his very best pulp fiction yarns. Henry III of England insults Sir Jules de Vac, who takes his vengeance by kidnapping young Prince Richard, a figure, Burroughs loves to point out, who has been lost to the pages of history. As Norman, the Outlaw of Torn, the young man becomes the greatest swordsman in England and a fearless outlaw with a price upon his head who raises an army loyal only to him. Of course, although he is ignorant of his noble birth, he is drawn to the lovely Bertrade de Montfort, daughter of the King's brother-in-law, the Earl of Leicester. This romance fits in nicely with the plans of de Vac, who repeatedly contrives situations for the king to be responsible for killing his own son. The obvious comparison for "The Outlaw of Torn" is with Robin Hood, but Burroughs' pulp novel has its own tale to tell. This is one of his best novels and as an example of the pulp fiction of the early 20th century it is a first-class work. Burroughs did such a nice job of using swordplay in his John Carter novels, that it is a real treat to see what he could do with a "historical" novel and a surprise that he did not do more of these. But then we all know that his publishers were always after him for another Tarzan novel, and another, and another, ad infinitum. I read every ERB novel I could get my hands on as a kid I can tell you that "The Outlaw of Torn" is actually the one I re-read the most. Yes, even more than "Tarzan of the Apes."
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