Tarzan of the Apes

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs

This first Tarzan book has spawned many sequels and movie adaptations. Tarzan has become a key cog in the pop culture ethos. However, this has gone way beyond the original work. "Me Tarzan, You Jane" is nowhere to be found. Tarzan in fact has taught himself to read by looking at some old books. He came from an aristocratic family and was adopted by apes after his parents had died. He was seen as having his elite tendencies even though he was brought up in the jungle. He is strong and compassionate. He helps fight humans that are being cruel. 

In this book, he meets Jane. However, she is engaged to another man. Tarzan's ancestry is later proved and he should have the inheritance that Jane's fiance does. However, Tarzan allows him to keep it.

The book feels different than what I was expecting, and feels very cliché - because it invented many of the clichés.