Lord of the Trees

Lord of the Trees follows Lord Grandrith, a character inspired by Tarzan, as he battles against a secret society known as the Nine. The story runs parallel to its companion novel The Mad Goblin, with each book telling the same events from different perspectives. The plot centers on Grandrith's mission to overthrow the Nine, a powerful group that has manipulated his life and cursed him with a strange affliction. His alliance with Doc Caliban, a Doc Savage-inspired character, leads them both on separate paths toward a common goal. The book incorporates elements of action, adventure, and conspiracy while exploring themes of control and manipulation. Set in a world that combines pulp fiction characters with darker, more mature elements, it continues the narrative established in A Feast Unknown. The novel examines questions of free will versus determinism, and the price of immortality. Through its reimagining of classic pulp heroes, it presents a complex meditation on power and its corrupting influence.

Readers consider this a weaker entry in Farmer's Grandreath series, with most finding it a fun but shallow pulp adventure that doesn't match the depth of earlier books. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced action sequences - The unique jungle settings - References to Tarzan lore - Quick, easy reading experience Common criticisms: - Too short at only 128 pages - Underdeveloped characters - Plot feels rushed and simplistic - Lacks the social commentary of other Farmer works Review Scores: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (145 ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (12 ratings) Several readers noted the book reads like "a first draft that needed expansion." Multiple reviews mentioned disappointment that the interesting premise wasn't given more room to develop. As one Goodreads reviewer stated: "What could have been an fascinating exploration of identity ends up as just another jungle adventure story."

Tarzan Alive by Philip José Farmer A biography-style investigation connects pulp hero Tarzan to historical figures through genealogy and secret histories.

Doc Savage: His Apocalyptic Life by Philip José Farmer This pseudo-biography traces Doc Savage's family tree and connects him to other literary heroes in a shared universe.

Time's Last Gift by Philip José Farmer A time-traveling anthropologist in 12,000 BCE reveals connections to immortal heroes and legendary figures.

The Adventures of Tom Bombadil by J. R. R. Tolkien The tale follows an immortal forest dweller who exists outside normal time and space while interacting with nature and mythical beings.

The People of the Black Circle by Robert E. Howard The story combines pulp adventure with mystical immortals and ancient civilizations in a pre-historic setting.

🌿 The book is part of Farmer's "Wold Newton Family" series, inspired by a real 1795 meteorite strike in Yorkshire that he imagined gave special abilities to several fictional bloodlines. 🦁 Lord Grandrith was Farmer's legally safe way to write about Tarzan after Edgar Rice Burroughs' estate threatened legal action over his earlier Tarzan novel. 📚 The companion novel "The Mad Goblin" tells the same events from the perspective of Doc Caliban, a character based on pulp hero Doc Savage. ✍️ Philip José Farmer won multiple prestigious awards including the Hugo Award (3 times) and the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement. 🎭 The novel explores the "secret history" concept, where fictional characters like Tarzan and Doc Savage are reimagined as real historical figures whose stories were fictionalized for the public.