The Cave Girl

By: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Narrated by: Patrick Lawlor

Length: 7 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

Back in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A., he was a blueblood named Waldo Smith-Jones. But when he found himself in a desperate effort to survive on a lost island of primitive men and beasts, he won not only a new name but also the hand of the cave princess, Nadara.

©2004 Blackstone Audiobooks (P)2004 Blackstone Audiobooks

Classic Burroughs

Edgar Rice Burroughs is not for everyone, but if you enjoyed the Tarzan, Mars, & Pellucidar books you'll enjoy this romp through the South Seas written in 1913. It's a reverse Tarzan tale that starts with a wimp washed up on a beach where his book knowledge will do him no good. From there it's an adventure on every page & of course there is a beautiful girl to rescue. Good old pulp fiction at it's best.

A Favorite Of Mine

The Cave Girl has been a favorite of mine that I have read many times over the years. I have listened to this audiobook version many times and think it is well done.

Great book

Loved it. Would urge everyone to listen to it. I will probably do so again..

A fantastic adventure story, still amazing today!

This book is amazing! Worth every minute! Story resonates in my heart, and there is plenty of adventure and action throughout, which allows the reader (hearer) to be drawn into the world. Many occasions had me ok the edge of my seat, and as Waldo grows as a character, so do you when hearing this book. From the very beginning, you are filled with suspense. The romance is still well written today, and the female lead has much to show even in the 21st century. I would recommend this to anyone 12 years and older, as it is a classic must-read! The voice actor does an excellent job and even makes different voices.

Waldo Emerson Smith-Jones is the hero

A more unlikely name for a he man tough character would be hard to come up with. Our hero is shipwrecked on a tropical island peopled by, shocker, cave people. The beginning of the book is practically a laundry list of things that terrify our protagonist. He is scared of his own shadow. Only when he crosses paths with the titular Cave Girl, Nadara, do his better qualities begin to appear. She shows him how to survive in the primordial Jungle and, after a bad case of cold feet, he decides to better himself to repay her kindness and, of course he realizes that he loves her as well. Hijinx ensue.

This is a pretty by-the-numbers story of a civilized man thrown into a savage world. Burroughs used this same premise in several of his stories. The Pellucidar series being the most obvious. Cave Girl and the included sequel, Cave Man, are like an early version of this. Good on it's own, but a foreshadowing of even better things to come. Waldo is very book smart, but has absolutely no idea how to apply any of that knowledge in real terms. Later stories allow the heroes a bit more practical knowledge to help propel the stories. This is a very good book, pair of books actually, but not yet great. Still, if you like a good adventure yarn, this one will bring a smile to your face as it did mine. Recommended, particularly to fans of Edgar Rice Burroughs other works.

Long time fan of Burroughs

What did you love best about The Cave Girl?

I love the adventure, action and getting lost in the jungle. Burroughs is predictable but as a fan I've read most all of the Tarzan series and enjoyed everyone. Cave Girl is twist on Tarzan and Jane. That's OK I still enjoyed it.

What other book might you compare The Cave Girl to and why?

Tarzan, Tarzan, Tarzan. Super human jungle guy and strong resilient beautiful girl. What's not to like.

What about Patrick Lawlor’s performance did you like?

Very well read, great voice. I prefer a reader that makes me feel as if I am hearing each characters voice over a straight read.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. No and No. I do get a bit nostalgic when I get lost in the jungle and the charactors.

Any additional comments?

If you like larger than life charactors that can get into and out of most any situation then you will like Cave Girl.

Love

I love Edgar Rice Burroughs. I love the way he writes. The stories aren't just for boys and men. The stories are also for girls and women. I really enjoy reading and listening to his work.

What is old is new again.

What did you love best about The Cave Girl?

There are a few things about this story that are just weird but for the case of a fictional story let's just pretend that all people speak English.

What I found fascinating is that the story of how jungle people live, their customs and relationships and how this love story is woven through all things crazy for a tropical location where a girl falls in love with a foreigner and he with her.

The narration was pretty good, certainly in my group of 90% or better. I think the narration helped keep me going when my life was a greater distraction than the volume of my MP3 player.

This is a very old book but I have never read it before. I somehow missed this tale and I really enjoyed myself. I sometimes had to go back a few minutes because my mind wandered into "how could this happen?" or "what if ____ happens next?"

I am surprised by the lower ratings here. I just like this book for all the quirkiness, the age of the events and the surprise ending. Very cool!

the cave girl

enjoyed the story and the speach pattern of the reader