Marauders of Gor

Gorean Saga, Book 9

By: John Norman

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

Former earthman Tarl Cabot has been struggling to free himself from the cruel control of the Priest-Kings of Gor to no avail. As he pits his strength against such a formidable enemy, a terrible beast appears from the mysterious northern lands, bearing a token of the demise of Tarl's once-beloved woman Talena. The missive is a sign of defiance and disrespect from his enemies, meant to humiliate him and force him to challenge them in response. To gird his weapons and set out on a mission of vengeance against those who sent the beasts means Tarl must jeopardize his fortune and position as a wealthy slave merchant.

But he is no longer practical and calm as he was on Earth. He must conform to the social codes of Gor, where the only way one can avenge wounded manhood is to respond with all one's might!

©1975 John Norman (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Gorean Saga

The Gorean series is basically Conan the barbarian meets a smut novel on another world. There's lots of violent battles and vicious giant man eaters with a dash BDSM. The series gets a little repetitive as the books go on but not to badly for a 20 plus book series. If you liked the John Carter in 'A Princess of Mars' series most likely you'll enjoy these books there very similar. I prefer the Gorean series myself, except the ones narrated by women which I haven't bought so don't know if there good or not I personal dislike women narrates.

My Favorite

Great book. My favorite of the series. Tarl finds himself again, after so long of not really knowing who he is.

slow start but picks up.

a very slow start but as it goes on the pace dramatically improves. over all I'd say another glorious piece to the world of Gor.

The Saga Of Worlds

I have read ten of John Norman’s fictional books. He writes a believable, exciting, entertaining and scarily believable.
The 27 book saga will continue, I am certain, to provide exceptional entertainment.
The saga of how the two worlds, Earth vs Gore shows John’s prescience how the two worlds interact with each other as Gore harvests women from Earth to join Gorean life. This is entertwined with the challenges Gorean people are faced. The priest kings are the secretive controllers of Gore with rules that are sewn into the Gorean way. Great reads all. You simply have to enjoy the Saga and wonder how the author developed these entertaining stories.

Love it

the series of books so far have been wonderful I love it can't wait to listen to book 10

Tarl’s Redemption

As I write this review, I have finished all but three of the Gorean sagas. The only ones not yet sampled are Smugglers, Dancer, and Treasure, the first two because I have not yet gotten round to them, the latter because it is not yet available as an audiobook. I dearly hope that John Norman will write one more Tarl Cabot novel before he shuffles off to the Cities of Dust, but this seems unlikely. I suspect that Warriors of Gor will be the last Tarl Cabot novel, for better or worse.

With that in mind, I have special regard for Marauders, the novel in which Tarl Cabot, after having recollected his honor in the previous story, regains it in Torvaldsland, and, to my mind anyway, rightfully rejoins the caste of Warriors.

There is a lot to like about Marauders. I’ve listened to it many times, and the first chapter is an especial comfort during low points in my own life. That a man like Tarl, even he, can be brought so low, both physically and emotionally, and yet triumph so completely, is magnificently encouraging.

One thing I love about the Gorean novels in general, and Marauders in particular, is the degree of detail Norman incorporates into the cultures of Gor. He has obviously deeply researched Viking history in writing his Torvaldlanders, just as he has researched other cultures and histories, such as Mongol and Turkic hordes, Bedouin tribes, indigenous North American tribes, Japanese, African, and classical Greco-Roman cultures to write his other novels. The Torvaldlanders are clearly historical Scandinavian Northmen, but plausible as a culture transplanted to an alien planet and allowed to flourish without the benefit of modern weapons and technology. Bloody savages, rapists and plunderers they may be, just as the Vikings were, but they are compelling and sympathetic characters all the same.

Only one thing about this reading of Marauders annoyed me, who am a great fan of Ralph Lister’s performances in every other respect. In Assassins, Raiders, and Hunters, the voice of Samos of Port Kar is much as I would expect from such a character: predatory, sly, and imperious. In Marauders, and in every successive novel, make him sound less like a dangerous pirate captain, and more like a plump merchant, more like Mintar from Tarnsman. It is a minor annoyance, but it still irks me somewhat.

In any event, Marauders is a perennial favorite, and one I will probably come back to again and again.

TARL JOINS THE VIKINGS

Tal, fellow Earthlings!

I just wrote my review but somehow I flubbed it and it didn't get posted. I'm not sure what I did, but nevertheless, I will still post a review, all be it much shorter.

I forget how much I actually loved the book.

I hated the way Talena treated Tarl. She acted the way she did in Tarnsman. She didn't even care that he'd been poisoned. Besides he did come to find her. I felt bad for her because of the way she was treated by Rask of Treve and Verna. After the way she treated Tarl, I was glad he freed her. And yet...

Because it is late and I really need to get some sleep, let me say that the book was riviting to me. I was never bord, not even when Tarl goes into the treatment of slaves. It's part of that world, a woman can't escape it, even though she might try. There was an epic battle between Kurii and Torvaldians. In my opinion, the Kurii are worse the the Alien or the Predator. I mean, they not only kill their combatants they eat them during the battle! Gross!

At and rate, it's a great book and I feel that Norman is a good writer dispite what other critics say about him. His books have kept me enthralled since I was 14. 50 years?! Priest-Kings! For that long? LOL

Well. I will stop here. Do give the book a chance. It's well worth the read. I always enjoy listening to Ralph Lister reading the books. It's a supreme joy listening to his voice.

I'm off to visit the Tribesmen....

I wish you well.

great story line

Ralph lister like the other books did a great job...please keep up the great work

Use it you won't regret it!

I've purchased 13 books so far and I'm so pleased. Great quality and great narration!

waste of a credit.

Has Marauders of Gor turned you off from other books in this genre?

No.

Would you be willing to try another one of Ralph Lister’s performances?

Yes

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No.

Any additional comments?

I might have enjoyed this book in print, where I could scan sections that I found inactive. As an audio book, there are too few events to keep me engaged.