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4.0 out of 5 stars
The Start Of A Classic Adventure Series, Oct 8 2008
Edgar Rice Burroughs (September 1st, 1875 - March 19, 1950) was a writer of adventure series, including, of course Tarzan, but also the Barsoom series, of which this is the first novel. This novel was written between July and October of 1911, and published in "All-Story" as a six-part serial from February through July of 1912. It then was published in book form in October of 1917. This novel and series may have been inspired by "Lieutenant Gullivar Jones: His Vacation" a novel from 1905 by Edwin Lester Arnold, and the character John Carter was perhaps in part derived from Phra, a hero in Arnold's "The Wonderful Adventures of Phra the Phoenician" from 1890. However, this is no copy of either of those works. "Phra" was closer in tone, but virtually unreadable, and "Gullivar Jones" was a very light and almost comedic series of adventures and so is not very similar in feel to this work.
The story actually opens with a foreword written by Burroughs where the claim is made that the story is true, and information is given about what happened to John Carter, leaving it open ended. The story is written as if a memoir written by John Carter itself. From the start, it is understood that Carter is no normal person, as he has lived countless years, and yet remains young in appearance. A very abbreviated setup is given about him serving the Confederacy in the Civil War and about his and another Confederate looking for gold in Arizona, but this is not the story which is to be told. All that and the chase by the Indians and his getting lost and finding a mysterious cave, is just the setup. It is quickly resolved, in a way, and he finds himself transported to Mars where no time is wasted and he immediately encounters the green Martians--a tribe called the Tharks, and though he cannot communicate effectively, he ends up safe, though a prisoner.
Burroughs effectively gives the reader the information about this alien society in an entertaining and interesting way. He is able to inform the reader about the type of society Carter is being held in, as well as move the story along with action sequences and the introduction and capture of the more human red Martian Princess Dejah Thoris to which the title of the book refers. It is no surprise that Carter is taken with the Princess and resolves to help her. He defends her at great risk to his life, which gains him more status with the Tharks, but he also learns that her and his fate are likely to be death by torture, so he plans to escape with her. The escape, when it does come is not as successful, and Carter finds that he has to sacrifice himself in order for the Princess to have a chance at escape. This leaves him at the mercy of yet another tribe, the Warhoons.
There are interesting characters in this book as well, starting with John Carter himself. There is also Sola, a female Thark who is more human than any of the others in her tribe; the Princess Dejah Thoris for whom John Carter falls, and who falls for him as well; Tars Tarkas, the Thark warrior that Carter makes a friend and ally; and Kantos Kan, the Red Martian who helps John Carter save his Princess. Their main foe is the Thark female Sarkoja, who plays a significant role in Sola's past as well as thwarting all the heroes plans repeatedly. There are also foes in the form of vast armies, such as the Warhoons and the Zodangans.
There are similarities between the two works by Edwin Lester Arnold and Burrough's work. The long life and coming back from death is something that Carter shares with Phra. The quick trip to Mars is shared with Gullivar Jones, though he made via a magic carpet and expressing a wish, while Carter simply focused on Mars after his mysterious experience in the cave. Arnold handled the learning of the language in a mind dump, while Burroughs simply had it easy to learn, but in both cases it appears that a common language is used throughout Mars. Arnold had a river of the dead, while Burroughs writes of the river Iss from which none return.
The weakest part of the book is the ending. Burrough's spends the majority of the book on a relatively short period of time, filling in the last 9+ years in the second to last chapter, with the last chapter being a very short wrap-up. The final crisis feels manufactured and doesn't really fit in with the rest of the story. One can easily ignore this weakness though, and ultimately this book is still a very strong start to the series.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Planet-Conquering Epic, Aug 30 2006
A majestic and at times overpowering epic of planetary adventure from the Golden Age of pulp fiction, when Men were Men and giant, green-skinned, six-limbed creatures from Mars where REAL giant, green-skinned, six-limbed creatures from Mars! Though you may have to swallow a bit of unpolitically-correct 1930s machismo you will find it worthwhile to witness the grandeur of Barsoom, a world of incredible armies, strange new sunrays, bizarre monsters and titanic clashes between the forces of uhh, John Carter and Everybody Else. This is a classic of the genre which races along at lightning speed, propelling you into new situations and introducing new wonders on almost every page. Wonderfully evocative language and a certain bare-bones presentation let the reader experience Burroughs' Mars without any extraneous exposition or sappy internal drama. The action is non-stop and leaves you breathless, even though the small, rational part of your brain still calls out feebly that the hero will always prevail and save the maiden. But does he really?
Approached in the right mood this book should provide hours of exciting reading and strange martian fun.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic Series, Jul 16 2004
By A Customer
What a wonderful imagination Edgar Rice Burroughs had. The Mars series; The Princess of Mars, The Gods of Mars and The Warlord of Mars, are three of the most enjoyable books, which I have ever read. For those who enjoy a good adventure, this series is a must read.
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by Edgar Rice Burroughs
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
by Edgar Rice Burroughs
by Edgar Burroughs
