A good yarn But...

When I first read the series ten years ago, it was quite disturbing in a chauvinistic in a sexual way. The story was good, and fun. the science must be taken with a the grain of salt, but that's ok its an adventure story not a text. These days with the heavy hitting S&M story's like Shades of Grey, John Norman has nothing of the shock value his tale had back in the day. The story ties aliens with abducted earthlings, medieval sword and arrow play into an entertaining series. If you are into online Role playing, whole lands are devoted to this series in Second life, so read it and live it as well if you desire. Enjoy!

14 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Escape to Gor!

Having discovered this series back in the late 70's, I was delighted to see it listed on Audible.

As expected, I enjoyed it immensely, having lost none of its original appeal. In fact, listening to it now, I can???t help but wonder how much of today???s accepted Sci-Fi lore can be attributed to early works such as this.

A world where modern day weapons and technology are banned. Where men lived by a simpler and more honorable code. Flying mounts. Sound familiar? Well here is one of the originals and its hasn???t dated a bit.

My only minor criticism is the narrator, who does a good enough job with the reading itself, but I found he just didn???t have the type of voice I would have expected for the main character. As it is read in the first person, I found it took some time to become accustomed that the voice you were hearing was coming from a young, athletic Englishman, turned fierce warrior of Gor.

That aside, it???s an enjoyable listen and one that I highly recommend.

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Um, OK?

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration is good. However, it was hard to get into the book because I couldn't get into the story.

Any additional comments?

It's a book about love (somewhat) and lots of "This is how men and women should behave towards each other." If you're into the master-slave relationship then this is the book for you. For me, not so much. I could have got over that, however, if there was more story to support the "this is how Lara (sp?) fell in love with Tol (sp?)" part but there is a lot of "quickening" through the story. i.e. at one minute in the reading the two people hate each other, the next minute of the story a day or month may go by and they're madly in love with each other because the main character is the uber-warrior. I prefer more in-depth reasons for why people want to be with each other.I've listened to the first two books and it was pretty transparent as to what was going to happen in the second book after listening to the first book.On a side note, I think the series could be quite good if there was more time dedicated to the adventure, the politics, and the emotional development between the main character and the main love interest of the book.

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

I Liked Gor Better When It Was Called Barsoom

What was most disappointing about John Norman’s story?

I read this back in the early 90s, & I had fond memories. However, I've since read the Barsoom books (John Carter of Mars for those of you who don't know), & I realize that Norman stole liberally from Burroughs.
1. An intelligent, athletic man finds himself upon another world in our solar system where wars are fought with swords in the skies despite advanced technology.
2. He meets & falls for the most beautiful woman in the world who happens to be the princess of a mighty city-state.
3. Medical technology allows people to live much longer than on Earth.
4. Mysterious gods pull the strings in the background. (Barsoom calls them Therns, & Gor calls them Priest Kings.)
I could go on, but...

A major difference is that the characters in this book spend a lot more time boasting of their exploits than in Burroughs' book. The major role of slavery on Gor is the defining trait in later books. I remember that they almost read like sci-fi version of "Fifty Shades of Gray."

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

The performance wasn't 1/2 bad. You're only as good as your material. I wouldn't mind hearing him read something better. I might be great.

Did Tarnsman of Gor inspire you to do anything?

Go back & read the original Burroughs.

Any additional comments?

I recommend you read the old Barsoom books instead. Burroughs style may be old & a bit cliche at times by today's standards, but they hold up better than these books that were written after Burroughs' death.

I've heard that Norman is still writing Gor books, & that the series has over 20 books. If memory serves, they get steadily worse more repetitive the further that you read.

This is not a series for anyone who is easily embarased. You don't see it in this book, but it will come later. Women are treated worse on Gor than in just about any sci-fi/fantasy book that I've ever read, & I've been a fan of the genre since I was a kid in the early 80s. I'm embarased that I ever read these books. I won't be going any further.

8 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Simply the best series

Read this series back in the day with you know what trilogy but to me this series is simply amazing. One of the best adventure tales I have ever read. I can't wait for the next book to get done. There are 25 books in the series, this could be a good long term series. I have been planning on collecting the books again but have only read up to about book 9. They are all great skipping the slave girl of gor.

7 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Nostalgic cardboard

I am sure this is quite exciting to listen to if you read it as a child when it came out in 1967. But other than its possible historical and nostalgic value, I really can???t recommend this book. Cardboard character in dumbed down Nietzsche-esque world read by an inept narrator.

Buying and reading this is the equivalent of driving a steam-powered car to work. Sure, it might be fun because you remember your great grandfathers old automobile, but really it is no Mercedes.

6 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

Hemingway of Fantasy

The detail in which the story was written immerses you into the world of Gor. Powerful character development and underlying social themes we struggle with even today will keep the reader coming back for more.

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Narnia for adults

I think of this as Narnia for adults without the religious undertones.

The good
A) the creativity of the planet and people and creatures is really impressive
B) the story line keeps you guessing

The not so good
A) the narrator was hard to under stand at times...I do listen at 1.5 and have never had a problem before
B) because the story has so many new ideas the listener may find themselves rewinding to listen again, this is because most names are very unusual both of people and animals

3 personnes ont trouvé cela utile

GREAT

Started reading the series at the urging of a friend - now I have sent her an invitation to join Audible so she can enjoy the books in spoken form. The narrator is awesome

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Love the Gor Books

I've never been disappointed. I can read and reread these books 100 times and never be bored. Can't wait to listen to the next book!!

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