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John Norman
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Tarnsman of Gor (Gorean Saga Book 1) Kindle Edition

by John Norman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,464 ratings
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The first novel in the long-running sword-and-planet series set on a Counter-Earth, where warriors rise above the chaos of bondage and brutality.

Tarl Cabot has always believed himself to be a citizen of Earth. He has no inkling that his destiny is far greater than the small planet he has inhabited for the first twenty-odd years of his life. One frosty winter night in the New England woods, he finds himself transported to the planet of Gor, also known as Counter Earth, where everything is dramatically different from anything he has ever experienced. It emerges that Tarl is to be trained as a Tarnsman, one of the most honored positions in the rigid, caste-bound Gorean society. He is disciplined by the best teachers and warriors that Gor has to offer . . . but to what end?
 
Rediscover this brilliantly imagined world where men are masters and women live to serve their every desire.
 
Tarnsman of Gor is the 1st book in the Gorean Saga, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
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  1. Book 1 of 38
    Gorean Saga
  2. Print length
    253 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy
  6. Publication date
    April 1, 2014
  7. File size
    4689 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Gorean Saga Book 1 - Book 10
Gorean Saga Book 1 - Book 38
Bundle price: Kindle price
$34.97
Bundle price: Kindle price
$52.95
Bundle price: Kindle price
$95.90
Bundle price: Kindle price
$336.62
By clicking the above button, you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ralph Lister is a UK-trained stage, film, and voice actor. His film credits include Mr. Woodcock, A Lot Like Love, and Alleged. Ralph’s voice can be heard in the animé hit Hellsing, in Walt Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean, and in the anniversary edition of Jean Reno’s The Professional.Further info: www.RalphLister.com

John Norman is creator of the Gorean Saga, a series of novels spanning dozens of titles that began in 1967 with TARNSMAN OF GOR and that are considered to be cult classics. He has also produced a three-installment fictional series, Telnarian Histories, plus two other fiction works and a nonfiction paperback entitled IMAGINATIVE SEX. He continues to write new novels in the Gorean saga, notably WITNESS OF GOR (2002) and PRIZE OF GOR (2008), both published by E-Reads. At Gor Chronicles, a web site specially created for his tremendous fan following, one may read everything there is to know about this unique fictional culture. Mr. Norman was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1931. He is married and has three children.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00J84L0XK
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy; Reissue edition (April 1, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 4689 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 253 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,464 ratings

About the author

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John Norman

John Norman

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John Norman is the creator of the Gorean Saga, the longest-running series of adventure novels in science fiction history.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
1,464 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and entertaining. They describe the story as good, with good plot twists and classic sci-fi storytelling. Readers also appreciate the compelling world-building. However, some find the story dull, repetitive, and not worth reading. Opinions are mixed on the writing style, with some finding it well-written and clear, while others say it's average and thin. Reader opinions are mixed also on the character development, with those who find them interesting saying they're heroic.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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ReadabilityStory qualityWorld buildingWriting styleCharacter developmentTasteEnthrallingPacing
82 customers mention "Readability"82 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, entertaining, and a good adventure book. They say the story develops quickly and encourages them to read on. Readers also mention the book is exciting, filled with plenty of action, and twists.

"...I am in favor of people being safe, healthy, happy, fulfilled, and so on. What makes people safe, healthy, happy, and fulfilled?..." Read more

"..."bibles" for that life style, but, I also find them to be a fun escape type novel...." Read more

"...John Norman's novel "Tarnsman of Gor" has lots of adventure, suspense and the book is a page turner...." Read more

"...Aside from the aspects that didn't age well, the writer provides an immersive experience with an interesting main character and setting." Read more

51 customers mention "Story quality"43 positive8 negative

Customers find the story quality good, with good plot twists. They say it's a precursor to many popular stories like Conan the Barbarian. Readers also appreciate the drama, new people, and new lands. They mention the story is not very demanding and creates believable counterworld. They also say the story develops quickly and encourages them to read on.

"...simply adventure fantasy, but intellectual, philosophical, and psychological novels. Also, some of them certainly have elements of sensuous romance...." Read more

"...John Norman's novel "Tarnsman of Gor" has lots of adventure, suspense and the book is a page turner...." Read more

"...Nicely made. 40 years from now people will look back on the current pulp work de jour : Urban Fantasy (romance novels with vampires etc. WTF?)..." Read more

"...Imaginative science fantasy, with good plot twists. Watch out on Gor, because death by impalement is an ever-present hazard." Read more

13 customers mention "World building"13 positive0 negative

Customers find the world-building in the book compelling, interesting, and full of life. They also describe the book as intellectual, philosophical, and psychological. Readers say it's a good start for a promising series.

"...Similarly, the Gorean books are not simply adventure fantasy, but intellectual, philosophical, and psychological novels...." Read more

"Elagant and brilliant writing and world building characterize this first book...." Read more

"...The story is one that engulfs you so that you don't want to put the book down. It is also one that makes you want to throw the book out the window." Read more

"Even if you don't like fantasy, John Norman is a master world builder...." Read more

41 customers mention "Writing style"28 positive13 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book. Some mention it's well-written and easy to read, while others say the storytelling is thin and the prose can be long-winded.

"...I read it really quickly and it has been a long time since I happened upon a book that I read so fast. The book also has romance...." Read more

"...This is an entertaining and light read. I recommend the series through at least the ninth book (my favorite)." Read more

"The writing is a more formal tact. The prose can be long winded on certain points. But, it's well written and enjoyable." Read more

"...a good story , and a quick read . I will definitely read more from the series ...." Read more

11 customers mention "Character development"7 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book. Some mention Tarl Cabot is an interesting character, while others say the character is flat and annoying.

"...Tarl Cabot is an interesting character, the situations he gets into are widely varied, we are visiting every area of Gor, from the populated..." Read more

"Got through the book, found it difficult to follow the main character...." Read more

"...the writer provides an immersive experience with an interesting main character and setting." Read more

"This book is great for all ages. The author great at making you love the characters. Loved reading it 20 years later..." Read more

5 customers mention "Taste"2 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the taste of the book. Some mention it's tasty and adds flavor to the tale, while others say it'll be too improbable and disjointed.

"...It was all too improbable for my taste, and too disjointed...." Read more

"...Some of the world descriptions may be too much but they do add flavor to the tale...." Read more

"...introduced to you to when he makes the transition to Gor is just not plausible. The book was still engaging to a degree...." Read more

"Total sludge. But tasty, delicious, sludge...." Read more

11 customers mention "Enthralling"0 positive11 negative

Customers find the book entertaining but not enthralling. They say it's dull, repetitive, and lacks excitement. Readers also mention the storytelling is thin and disappointing.

"...I found some of the stories good. But many of the books are bloated bores, lectures on the wonderments of female slavery instead of adventure stories..." Read more

"...a 35 year old (old) lady that found the books entertaining, but not enthralling and since I'd recently rewatched "John Carter" it seemed a..." Read more

"Decent. The writing is definitely older style. Not much detail, "They fought on for minutes, he realized he could beat him, etc." Almost..." Read more

"...The characters are flat, the cultural details are slapdash and almost nonsensical. And it really is crappy, crappy rip off of Barsoom!..." Read more

6 customers mention "Pacing"0 positive6 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book to be poor and disjointed. They also mention the book is a little slow to start.

"...It was all too improbable for my taste, and too disjointed...." Read more

"The book is a little slow to start, but once the story picks up, I couldn't put the book down!" Read more

"...The result is a turgid mess.That "Goreans" became a viable branch of the fetish community is unbelievable...." Read more

"...However the pacing is often very poor and character development is somewhat flat...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Siri Emerald
5.0 out of 5 stars A great beginning to a very good believable world
Reviewed in the United States on March 16, 2014
Verified Purchase
I only recently discovered the works of John Norman (2010) and have been reading everything I can get my hands on. This book (and the following 33 (counting also Norman Invasions (2009))) proves that intelligent writing that doesn't fear social or political censorship can be popular with millions of readers. I think, however, that nothing can describe or recommend this book (series of books) better than the Authors own words which I will post here;

“I do not regard the Gorean books as “controversial,” as they are based, for the most part, on history, anthropology, biology, psychology, and such. It is true, of course, that certain ideologies, and certain competitive ambitions, are more likely to prosper if certain facts are overlooked, ignored, or denied. I think one should accept human nature, and the profound, wonderful differences amongst human beings, sexual and otherwise, for what they are, and then worry about putting together a world in which humanity might flourish, rather than be lied to, threatened, coerced, sickened, and stunted. To be sure, this is a value judgment. Some people doubtless prefer a culture that is a penitentiary, assuming they are, or expect to be, the guards and wardens.”
“(The Gorean books) are written for adults, highly intelligent, highly sexed adults, of both sexes. Similarly, the Gorean books are not simply adventure fantasy, but intellectual, philosophical, and psychological novels. Also, some of them certainly have elements of sensuous romance. The Gorean books are their own country, their own world, not a part of someone else’s country, or someone else’s world. They are not out, for example, to think up the 673rd variation off genetic engineering, denounce capitalism, woo antimenite editrices, or such.”
“I am in favor of people being safe, healthy, happy, fulfilled, and so on. What makes people safe, healthy, happy, and fulfilled? That probably depends on the individuals involved. I think the test of “life consequences” is important here. I have no objection to individuals involving themselves in safe, healthy, happy, fulfilling Gorean relationships. Master/Slave sex, for example, can be emotionally and physically rewarding for both partners. I am not in favor of cruelty, to a slave no more than to any other animal. The slave is to be cherished, and know herself the belonging of her master. She exists to love and serve her master. She is not to be abused, but enjoyed. In the collar there are many rewards. The Gorean relation has nothing to do with hurting people. If it is not beautiful, it is not Gorean.”
[...]
5 people found this helpful
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COToole
4.0 out of 5 stars A great begining to a good series.
Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2011
Verified Purchase
I, too, started the series as a young man, around 6th or 7th grade, back when the books were still being released anually. I also loved the first one, (on a side note, was sorely disappointed by the attempt at a movie which was almost completely unrelated to the books) and read into the series with gusto. I have read, and re-read the books numerous times, including replacing older worn paperback copies. Now that I purchased a Kindle, and found them, I have rapidly read through the first 9. I'm purchasing number 10 when I finish this review. I agree, and always have, the stories written from the point of view of the female brought from Earth to Gor are really disappointing, but, they do have hints to the next adventure of Tarl Cabot. I, too, have found myself after the initial reading 30 years ago, taken to skipping over the majority of the long winded psycho-babble. Also, sometimes his long explanations of how a particular product is manufactured can get annoying the second, third or fourth time reading the books.

I read through Magicians, but, it has been a couple decades now. I recall being deeply disapointed the series abruptly ended, with a war raging across Gor and Tarl Cabot and Jason Marshall in the middle of it. Well, more Tarl than Jason, but, he is updated in later novels, after his little diversionary story.

I had given up on new novels ever being written until I decided to go through a bunch of paperbacks in my spare room, to get rid of them. I found the series, decided to do a search for Kindle copies, and found there were new ones. I look forward to finding out what happened in the war, and hope it is resolved. I started a couple weeks ago with Tarnsman, to work my way through to the new stuff, and am now getting through the novels in a day or so. They start getting longer, and I may slow down a bit, but, I intend to finish the whole series this Spring, early Summer.

I know they are the basis of a whole type of BDSM, and are almost "bibles" for that life style, but, I also find them to be a fun escape type novel. Tarl Cabot is an interesting character, the situations he gets into are widely varied, we are visiting every area of Gor, from the populated temperate zones through the great wild plains, the mostly barren deserts, the ice packs up north and in each, we learn a little about the character of the peoples who live there. Through them all, there are hints of sex, but, really, these stories are more of a PG-13 rating. There is no explicit sex, there is very little descriptive language of sex or the human anatomy. Yeah, we get a few descriptions of how well built a particular young lady encountered is, but, really, they are not even worthy of an R rating, if we applied a movie rating to them.

To me, if you are looking to start a series of books, in the fantasy genre, and, you are interested in detail about how a perfume is made, or a coin, or the construction fo a siege engine, enjoy them. You will find the psychology a bit wearing, but, it is well worth wading through.

My one problem with these novels, at least as it pertains to the Kindle - I wish the covers had the original, or Boris Vallejo artwork. Not all the original novels had Boris work, initially, but, the re-releases got that treatment. Not as impressive in the black and white Kindle, but, still it seems a shame to have the cover "art" the Kindle versions have. The Boris artwork was great.
25 people found this helpful
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Jeremy Richmond
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome!!
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2011
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The book "Tarnsman of Gor" by John Norman is awesome. It is obviously inspired by the Martian tales of Edgar Rice Burroughs and it is a worthy successor to the series it was inspired by. John Norman mapped out the world of Gor really well. He also gave it an interesting culture.

The narrator of the book is Tarl Cabot, a history teacher whose father mysteriously disappeared years ago. He is transported with advanced technology to a planet called Gor. The planet Gor is a planet which astronomists on Earth haven't discovered because it is always hidden behind the sun. The story follows Tarl Cabot's adventure on the planet.

The novel "Tarnsman of Gor" is hard to classify as a fantasy novel. It's definitely not high fantasy like series such as the Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan or Shannara by Terry Brooks, but it doesn't have sorcery (at least in the first novel), so it doesn't fit the sword and sorcery mold that series such as Conan by Robert E. Howard and Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser by Fritz Leiber fit into. It mainly takes its origin from the pulp magazine tradition that Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote literature in. Although there is no magic in the book, there is a group of people called the Priest Kings of the Sardar Mountains who I suspect will bring magic in the later books. Either that or they will bring advanced technology which they keep from the general population of Gor.

John Norman's novel "Tarnsman of Gor" has lots of adventure, suspense and the book is a page turner. I read it really quickly and it has been a long time since I happened upon a book that I read so fast. The book also has romance. I thought that I had read it all as far as fantasy novels go but this book showed me that there still is more fantasy literature out there for me to explore and enjoy.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Derek Hutton
5.0 out of 5 stars Revisiting a fabulous saga.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2020
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I read this book, indeed a number of books in this saga, some years ago in paperback. This first introduction to Gor transports you to a fabulous world of man, monsters and life. A truly great read. I can't wait to start book 2 which is already waiting on my kindle.
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Thierry ALOMENE
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable...a bit rh howard like
Reviewed in France on August 18, 2017
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The idea of the priestking is brillant , it explains what is often impossible to understand .... The communication between foreigners
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e
5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in Australia on April 12, 2022
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The book had you entertained through out the story and kept you reading to the end to see what happens next in the series of books.
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DAVID STEWART
5.0 out of 5 stars I STILL ENJOY IT WHAT CAN I SAY
Reviewed in Canada on May 21, 2015
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I READ THIS SERIES 40 YEARS AGO. I STILL ENJOY IT WHAT CAN I SAY, I LIKE SCI-FI. I SEE SOME PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE WAY SOME OF THE WOMEN ARE TREATED. NO, THEY ARE NOT TRAINED TO "HEEL". THE FIRST THING THE MAIN CHATACTER DOES, AFTER EXPLAINING THE INJUSTICE OF THE TREATMENT OF SOME WOMEN , IS FREE ONE OF THE SLAVE GIRLS. IF YOU'RE GOING TO COMPLAIN, GET THE FACTS RIGHT.
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F. Miskar
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good!
Reviewed in Germany on May 21, 2013
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Much better than German translation! Die Erzwingung einer bestimmten Mindestanzahl von Wörtern ist hier nur wenig zielführend, im Gegentum, sie ist völlig kontraproduktiv!
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