A Princess of Mars (1917) is a science fantasy novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first of his Barsoom series. It is also Burroughs' first novel, predating his famous Tarzan series. Full of swordplay and daring feats, the novel is considered a classic example of 20th century pulp fiction. It is also a seminal instance of the planetary romance, a sub-genre of science fantasy that became highly popular in the decades following its publication. Its early chapters also contain elements of the Western. The story is set on Mars, ...
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A Princess of Mars (1917) is a science fantasy novel by Edgar Rice Burroughs, the first of his Barsoom series. It is also Burroughs' first novel, predating his famous Tarzan series. Full of swordplay and daring feats, the novel is considered a classic example of 20th century pulp fiction. It is also a seminal instance of the planetary romance, a sub-genre of science fantasy that became highly popular in the decades following its publication. Its early chapters also contain elements of the Western. The story is set on Mars, imagined as a dying planet with a harsh desert environment. This vision of Mars was based on the work of the astronomer Percival Lowell, whose ideas were widely popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Barsoom series inspired a number of well-known 20th century science fiction writers, including Ray Bradbury, Arthur C. Clarke, and John Norman, and was also inspirational for many scientists in the fields of space exploration and the search for extraterrestrial life, including Carl Sagan, who read A Princess of Mars when he was a child. (wikipedia.org)
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I saw the movie John Carter and found the idea intriguing. So I picked up this book and Wow what a Great Fun read! The story is fairly simple and straight forward, but Burroughs has a Great gift for describing unique races telling you about there civilization, religion, philosophy and pets and recreation. It is a short book but has pieces of a love story an old school adventure and a sociological study of Man. I had a Great time reading it!
LISA M
Sep 8, 2011
Rather dated
This book was written a long time ago and reads like it. The adventure in the book is slow paced. This was not a "page turner" read. I've had the book for weeks and still haven't managed to finish it. Disney had a lot of updating to do when "John Carter" the movie was put together.
LKSSR
May 28, 2010
read the book
I was not aware Edgar Rice Burroughs had written books other than Tarzan so when I found out a movie is being made based on his "Barsoon" books I ordered the set to read before the movie comes out next year.
JayJ
Jul 6, 2008
greatest science fantasy ever
This is where science fantasy really started with Edgar rice Burroughs' first entry into his just famous Mars (or Barsoom) series, featuring a superman hero, a beautiful princess, literal hordes of truly alien aliens, and a wonderful world. This is the stuff dreams are made of, and ERB does not stint. The series continued for ten more volumes in of the justly most famous and influential series of books ever. Impossible to recommend more highly.
bookishwench
Jun 17, 2008
Best of the Best
One of the best examples of the genre, from one of the greatest science-fantasy writers of all time. Sure, Burroughs glosses over any difficulty he may have with plot, making parts of the book a stretch to even the most willing suspension of disbelief, but the result is a ripping-good tale of the red planet. You'll want to read the whole series! And you ought to.
