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michaelko's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cadmanreads's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a lot going for it but ultimately wasn't really to my tastes. I like the world and its inhabitants and was glad the author explained how they can all live on Mars.
I realise it's a classic but in this case that meant old fashioned. I understand that John Carter is a classic hero but I didn't need to hear how great he was every time he met someone. The love interest plot was predictable and I got a sexist vibe in some parts of the story. Much of this is probably due to when the book was written.
I realise it's a classic but in this case that meant old fashioned. I understand that John Carter is a classic hero but I didn't need to hear how great he was every time he met someone. The love interest plot was predictable and I got a sexist vibe in some parts of the story. Much of this is probably due to when the book was written.
covesthur's review against another edition
4.0
Cool world-building. Pure pulp escapism. Will read a few more of these, they are classics and I gotta keep the literary diet balanced. Wanted 3.5 but the system only got whole stars (as I need to point this out). Dune/Barsoom/Mad Max sword and nuclear plant three way crossover when?
pptphile's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
badseedgirl's review against another edition
3.0
A Princess of Mars is Edgar Rice Burroughs first novel in his “John Carter of Mars” book series. It is the story of John Carter; John describes himself as not knowing how old he is or of ever having a childhood, but of always being about 30 years old. A Civil War veteran, he fought for the south, and who after the war went west to make his fortune hunting for gold in Arizona. While being attacked by Indians, he is thrust from his body by some means never explained in the novel and finds himself naked and alone on Mars. It turns out the while on Mars he has very superman like powers; you know the ability to leap tall building, super strength, etc. John finds that there are 2 types of Martians, the Green Martians, and the red Martians. The green ones are a nomadic people who resemble North America’s Indian culture as envisioned by someone writing a novel in 1917. The Red aliens are the more civilized, human-like aliens, although all reproduce by laying eggs, live to be about 1000 years old and are ultra-violent. Gun fire and sword fighting ensue, with John Carter being instrumental in “taming” the wild Green aliens, oh yeah and he marries a princess, and lives out 10 years on Mars before being dragged back to Earth, again by some unknown power.
I can see why this is considered a Science Fiction classic. It is full of action and adventure, sword and gun play and battles for the control of the planet of Mars. The story also ends in what can only be described as a cliff-hanger, which harkens back to the serials found in Newspapers, radio dramas and movies of the time. My problem with the novel is the overall attitude of Mr. Burroughs main character. He is the “White Savior”, the civilized mind among a planet of uneducated savages. I had the distinct feeling that John Carter looks down his nose at the people of Mars. And even though he comes to be accepted by both the red and the green Martians, he always feels he is better than these backwater people. That did not stop him from taking a native bride, and one does get the impression that he loves his Red Martian Princess at the end of the novel. I guess I would have liked it more if I just tried to enjoy the novel without trying to make it into a political statement on the treatment of Native populations by white explorers. Damn you 21st century political correctness. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I can see why this is considered a Science Fiction classic. It is full of action and adventure, sword and gun play and battles for the control of the planet of Mars. The story also ends in what can only be described as a cliff-hanger, which harkens back to the serials found in Newspapers, radio dramas and movies of the time. My problem with the novel is the overall attitude of Mr. Burroughs main character. He is the “White Savior”, the civilized mind among a planet of uneducated savages. I had the distinct feeling that John Carter looks down his nose at the people of Mars. And even though he comes to be accepted by both the red and the green Martians, he always feels he is better than these backwater people. That did not stop him from taking a native bride, and one does get the impression that he loves his Red Martian Princess at the end of the novel. I guess I would have liked it more if I just tried to enjoy the novel without trying to make it into a political statement on the treatment of Native populations by white explorers. Damn you 21st century political correctness. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
mrwizard1234's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
feredatc's review against another edition
4.0
Why did I enjoy this so much? Completely predictable, commitment to the “Savior” trope and absolutely not meant for a modern audience but damn, it was good, clean fun to read
aberdeenwaters's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and quick classic sci-fi read. Burroughs has some real lines of poetry throughout the novel. I enjoyed it.
jakej's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Pulp perfection, endlessly compelling storytelling, but even more than that - the introduction by Junot Díaz is extraordinarily astute, asserting that the reader dismisses The Princess of Mars as mere outdated racialist fantasy at their own peril.
Sci-fi's The Odyssey.
Sci-fi's The Odyssey.