On this day with Edgar Rice Burroughs April 29, 2025

 

April 29, 2025 and ninety years ago on this day in 1935, Argosy Weekly rejected the novel with the working title, “Tarzan and Jane.” The story was promptly purchased by Blue Book Magazine and serialized under the title “Tarzan’s Quest.” The first Blue Book installment featured a cover illustration by Herbert Morton Stoops.

This story features Jane’s last appearance in a Tarzan novel and a successful search for an immortality drug.

Details about the book’s publishing history, several illustrations, reviews, and an electronic version of the novel: https://www.erbzine.com/mag7/0727.html

The 100 word drabble, “Forever is a Long Time,  for today was inspired by the novel, Jane’s departure from the series, the immortality drug, and the song “Paradise by the Dashboard Lights,” written by Jim Steinman and recorded by Meatloaf. The drabble is excerpted from the song. I’m sure that Steinman didn’t plan the verse as a comment on immortality, but here it is.

I couldn't take it any longer
Good Lord I was crazed
And when the feeling came upon me
Like a tidal wave
I swore that I would love you to the end of time!
So now I'm praying for the end of time
To hurry up and arrive
' Cause if I gotta spend another minute with you
I don't think that I can really survive
I'll never break my promise or forget my vow
But God only knows what I can do right now
I'm praying for the end of time
So I can end my time with you!