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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The book itself is fantastic. Brilliant storytelling and a beautiful love story. The first chapter contains some racist language towards native Americans, as the chapter is set just after the civil war and him and his friend has found a gold mine. The book is worth continuing. The final chapter is heartwrenching. 5/5
If I’ve ever read Tarzan, I don’t remember, so I think this is my first Edgar Rice Burroughs. But A Princess of Mars reminded me a lot of works by H.G. Wells, Jules Verne, and H.P. Lovecraft. (“Here, let me show off how imaginative I am by describing everything I’m making up in excruciating detail.”)
Imaginative and full of adventure? Yes. Character growth? Absolutely not. The most growth is shown by John Carter’s dog-like protector and his two beasts of burden on Mars.
The way John Carter gets to Mars seems hilarious to me (he goes into a mysterious cave and then he just – is on Mars), but I can’t take John Carter himself seriously. He can do no wrong, there’s never any doubt that he’ll win a battle, and he is never in any serious danger. And of course he Gets the Girl!
The worst thing about this book for me as a reader is the complete lack of humor. Still, I try to imagine myself reading this book in 1912, when no one had ever seen an adventure movie, and most people didn’t travel. Obviously it was popular since he wrote 10 sequels. I’m not moving on to book two but I’m glad to have read it.
I picked this book for my sci-fi/fantasy discussion group because interlibrary loan isn’t currently functioning but A Princess of Mars is always available through my library’s Overdrive collection. We are meeting virtually because of the pandemic. We’ll see how the discussion goes!
Imaginative and full of adventure? Yes. Character growth? Absolutely not. The most growth is shown by John Carter’s dog-like protector and his two beasts of burden on Mars.
The way John Carter gets to Mars seems hilarious to me (he goes into a mysterious cave and then he just – is on Mars), but I can’t take John Carter himself seriously. He can do no wrong, there’s never any doubt that he’ll win a battle, and he is never in any serious danger. And of course he Gets the Girl!
The worst thing about this book for me as a reader is the complete lack of humor. Still, I try to imagine myself reading this book in 1912, when no one had ever seen an adventure movie, and most people didn’t travel. Obviously it was popular since he wrote 10 sequels. I’m not moving on to book two but I’m glad to have read it.
I picked this book for my sci-fi/fantasy discussion group because interlibrary loan isn’t currently functioning but A Princess of Mars is always available through my library’s Overdrive collection. We are meeting virtually because of the pandemic. We’ll see how the discussion goes!
Quite swashbuckling, and it didn't quite all hang together properly, but kind of fun in a slightly mindless way. The book equivalent of a summer blockbuster action movie.
This book was entertaining enough, which it must always have been, because here we are, still reading it today. It was also extremely silly, which I expect, too, it always has been.
Don't open this book looking for anything deep and meaningful. No such reading was intended. Personalities exist only as justifications for plot points, if at all. Everything comes easy to our hero because he is a Real Man. He gets the girl because that's what this book is for.
Take it for what it is, and it's fun, especially when you grew up reading the books from authors who were only one generation separated from Burroughs. It's like growing up on Metallica and listening to some Black Sabbath for the first time and having that moment of "oh, yeah, I get it".
I deduct stars because, having said all that, it's still not very good to a current-day reader's eyes. Also, I got annoyed every time Carter brushed over the action like "anyway, we fought for half an hour and I kicked ass but you're just going to have to trust me on that". Like, come on, book. Action is all you have going for you. Don't fumble the ball like that.
Don't open this book looking for anything deep and meaningful. No such reading was intended. Personalities exist only as justifications for plot points, if at all. Everything comes easy to our hero because he is a Real Man. He gets the girl because that's what this book is for.
Take it for what it is, and it's fun, especially when you grew up reading the books from authors who were only one generation separated from Burroughs. It's like growing up on Metallica and listening to some Black Sabbath for the first time and having that moment of "oh, yeah, I get it".
I deduct stars because, having said all that, it's still not very good to a current-day reader's eyes. Also, I got annoyed every time Carter brushed over the action like "anyway, we fought for half an hour and I kicked ass but you're just going to have to trust me on that". Like, come on, book. Action is all you have going for you. Don't fumble the ball like that.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Written in 1912 and centered around a Confederate soldier, this book has some problematic elements you have to overlook to enjoy it. John Carter, through unexplained magic / science, finds himself on Mars and immediately begins describing his disgust with the appearance and customs of the green martians he encounters. For the rest of the novel, we see an insta-love story play out and John Carter play the role of white savior for the entire planet of Mars (Barsoom).
All that being said, it's just a pulp fiction romp. There's enough plot to keep it entertaining and I especially loved the subplot of Tars Tarkas and Sola, two green martians. It's disappointing, but not at all surprising, that this subplot was removed from some editions, since it gives humanity to the "savage race." Princess of Mars is actually a great example of how minority races have been viewed in the past and present. The green martians are labeled ugly savage brutes and the red female martians of Helium are fetishized. The women are valued by how well they take care of their men and how beautiful they are. Typical sexist and racist shit you'd expect from a book written in 1912.
All that being said, it's just a pulp fiction romp. There's enough plot to keep it entertaining and I especially loved the subplot of Tars Tarkas and Sola, two green martians. It's disappointing, but not at all surprising, that this subplot was removed from some editions, since it gives humanity to the "savage race." Princess of Mars is actually a great example of how minority races have been viewed in the past and present. The green martians are labeled ugly savage brutes and the red female martians of Helium are fetishized. The women are valued by how well they take care of their men and how beautiful they are. Typical sexist and racist shit you'd expect from a book written in 1912.
Enjoyable. Very easy read and a though the plot was quite good as well.
Takes half the book to get into it but becomes pretty good and interesting.
While Burroughs wasn't the first one to create SciFi, he did reinvent the genre with this book. This is high level space adventure as it gets with plenty of action. I love how the book breaks down the science of a man from earth coming to Mars. Totally wasn't needed, but it just adds to the world. Check it out if you love fast paced action.
I really enjoyed the action and drama of this book, but Edgar Rice Burroughs tends to become wordy with dialogue and I found myself skimming over the lengthy declarations of love, honor, and commitment, particularly involving the princess.
The author's portrayal of the princess was also dated and a bit of a disappointment to a modern female reader. She was supposedly intelligent and Burroughs does mention that the women of Mars are taught some combat skills, yet she is completely helpless and at the mercy of her kidnappers throughout the entire book. She is described as having a noble bearing which borders on haughty, but actions speak louder than words and that independent spirit seemed to appear only in descriptions of her bearing, rather than her competent actions.
The author's portrayal of the princess was also dated and a bit of a disappointment to a modern female reader. She was supposedly intelligent and Burroughs does mention that the women of Mars are taught some combat skills, yet she is completely helpless and at the mercy of her kidnappers throughout the entire book. She is described as having a noble bearing which borders on haughty, but actions speak louder than words and that independent spirit seemed to appear only in descriptions of her bearing, rather than her competent actions.
This book is the basis for the upcoming movie John Carter. Who knew that the guy who wrote Tarzan wrote science fiction as well? I really enjoyed the book and have already downloaded the next one in the series.