Who Would Like This Book:
Step into the granddaddy of planetary adventures! "A Princess of Mars" is the ultimate pulp sci-fi romp - packed with nonstop action, Martian warriors, exotic landscapes, and heartfelt derring-do. It’s a cornerstone of modern science fiction, influencing generations of writers and artists. If you love swashbuckling heroes, classic adventure, or are curious about the roots of epic space stories like Star Wars and Avatar, this is a must-read. Great for those who enjoy imaginative world-building and retro-futuristic tales.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some modern readers might struggle with the book’s early 20th-century attitudes - expect outdated views on race and gender, a superhuman protagonist who never seems to struggle, and a plot that leaps from climax to climax with little downtime. The prose can be bombastic and the characters one-dimensional. If you’re looking for nuanced characters, deep introspection, or hard science fiction, this probably isn’t your cup of tea.
About:
'A Princess of Mars' by Edgar Rice Burroughs follows the adventures of John Carter, a Virginian Gentleman who finds himself on Mars. He encounters green martians and falls in love with a red woman named Dejah Thoris, whom he saves multiple times. The story is a mix of science fiction, adventure, combat, and romance, set in a fantastical world filled with aliens and strange creatures. The writing style is described as flowery and verbose, with a focus on action-packed scenes and a fast-paced narrative that keeps readers engaged.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of colonialism, sexism, racially charged language, and violence.
Has Romance?
There is a strong romantic element throughout the story, focusing on the relationship between John Carter and Dejah Thoris.
From The Publisher:
Virginia gentleman John Carter, unexpectedly transported to the perilous red planet, Mars, finds himself captured by the loveless Green Men of Thark. As Carter struggles to win his freedom-and the affections of fellow captive Dejah Thoris, princess of the rival clan of Helium-the fate of the entire planet hangs in the balance: warring Martian tribes collide and the beleaguered Atmosphere Factory grinds to a suffocating halt. Ray Bradbury, reminiscing on the enduring thrill of Burroughs's Martian adventure, writes, "I stood on the lawns of summer, raised my hands, and cried for Mars, like John Carter, to take me home. I flew to the Red Planet and never returned."
Ratings (25)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (10) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (6) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (52):
Read It (27) | |
Want To Read (21) | |
Not Interested (4) |
3 comment(s)
Excellent! John Carter punching out 15-foot-tall Martians is awesome!
An excellent way to experience this classic pulp sci-fi trilogy. The annotations and biography sections help place the three books in their original historical context and give great insight into the young author who would go on to write some of truly iconic series.
It’s a real shame that Disney’s John Carter movie was such a massive flop. This series has a lot of potential.
As did many of his stories, Edgar Rice Burroughs A Princess of Mars opened the reader to a fictional world of danger, excitement, and adventure unduplicated in the literature of his time.
What can you read after
A Princess of Mars?
About the Author:
Edgar Rice Burroughs is one of the world's most popular authors. With no previous experience as a writer, he wrote and sold his first novel-A Princess of Mars-in 1912. In the ensuing 38 years, until his death in 1950, Burroughs…
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