Raiders of Gor

Gorean Saga, Book 6

By: John Norman

Narrated by: Ralph Lister

In this sixth book in the Gorean series, former earthman Tarl Cabot finds himself in the most depraved city that Gor has to offer. Port Kar is a city of robbers, brigands and men without allegiance to any cause or kingdom where the weak are quickly consumed by the strong. However, Tarl Cabot is able to flourish in the cutthroat environment of the city, for he is a powerful Tarnsman, used to having his way. He finds that there is much to learn in Port Kar, where the people are celebrated for their skill of training their voluptuous slaves into utter obedience.

The saga continues: listen to more in the Gorean series.©2011 Brilliance Audio, Inc.; 1973 John Norman

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.

Best and Worst of the Series in One Book

This book is wildly uneven but enjoyable at the same time. The Pirate motif fits well with Gor and the features some of the best writing since the character development of Nomads. However, it also delves deeper into the great flaws Norman has as a writer - poor logic, long passages of nothing, simplistic women.

Best:
Action - so much action. It's like watching an old pirate swashbuckler movie from the 40's.
World Building: Port Kar comes alive, but it's the "Rence Islands" that really builds Gor up. Fantastic creativity.
Character Interplay: Characters connect and provide story inside the tstory.

Wost:
Bad logic. For 5 books Tarl looks certain death in the eye and goes forward. A girl puts a sword to him and he's like "Please don't kill me I'll be slave. I have no honor. I am nothing." What??? This turn in his character is so shallow Norman might have just started by saying "I want Tarl to be someone different, so he is."
LONGGGGG passages of nothing. 30 minute descriptions of ships. 15 minute explanations of everyone at a feast even though only 2 characters matter. a 10 minute passage about what his new cloak and sword look like.
Simplistic Women. The relationships and development of male characters is natural. The women, like the books before, are a joke. A woman goes from Ubara (sort of a queen) to slave in 5 minutes. "You are now slave - she was singing in the kitchen." A woman goes from being completely humiliated by "Bosk" (tarl) to "I love you Bosk" in less than a chapter. Pretty much - women are thing creatures who magically do/say whatever they need to at the moment.

It's both a fun romp, and a dumb book. Welcome to Gor.

Fantastic

Norman's writing is so engaging, exciting and I am fascinated by this world. Lister's performance is magnificent and I feel these books would not be the same without him. This story in particular I felt started a tad bit off but all was revealed by then. Such planning by the Priest-Kings!

High Seas and Human Philosphy

While it follows the usual structure of Norman's series of slavery and the question of gender roles and traditions, the book surprised me in the way it moved me to despise and then sympathize with the characters. In the end, an interesting revelation to be delivered by the unlikely. All threads neatly tied up in a satisfying package. Another fantastic read by Mr. Lister.

Very entertaining

Fun and well described. The catch and release feels slightly overly convenient, but overall enjoyable getting sucked into a different world.

As good as it gets

Where does Raiders of Gor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I am a big fan of Norman and fast becoming one of Lister. I was very apprehensive when I first stared listening to the books since I have read all of them, but each one I listen to gets better. I just hope they will continue publishing them.

Frustrating masterpiece. Might be Norman's best.

What a multi-faceted story. The last section (15 minutes) of this book is one of my favorite sections of all literature. Yet the first third of this book was extremely frustrating and I would not have continued had I not had such a love for the book series. I love Tarl Cabert. I love the blend of his rich courageous character, strong manhood and kindness. Across the series he has these little stupidities and miscommunications but he's always a very lovable character. However, and this book he goes to the dark side in a way. I know now this was a part of the authors plan. I guess I too am far too human like Tarl, wanting to keep believing the myths about myself...just like mist of us.