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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
While enjoying the series overall, the writing is so old and cumbersome sometimes it is difficult just to lose myself in the story. And I'm getting a little irritated with Mr Burroughs and his cliffhanger endings.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
While I enjoyed the first novel in this series, Princess of Mars, it didn't blow me away and I expected more of the same from The Gods of Mars. However, a couple of chapters in I knew I would love this book. John Carter finds himself returned to Barsoom (Mars) at the beginning of this novel. He's landed in what many Barsoomians imagine to be heaven, but it's more like a hell on Mars. The entire book is basically John Carter's journey to reunite with his Princess / Wife / Baby Mama Deja and it is so glorious.
This book feels like the song The Boys Are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy. Every few chapters or so John Carter finds himself in a dangerous situation, turns around and is surprised to find one of his old friends from the last novel there just in time to help him save the day. It's so improbable and ridiculous, but you end up loving it because the boys are back in town and they're about to kick some ass.
As fun as this novel is it also does a great examination of religion. This is science fiction at its best, an out of this world story to examine very real world issues. Gods of Mars examines how so many different cultures believe their religion or faith is the "right" faith without deeply exploring and examining it or what else exists in the world.
Gods of Mars also examines how religion is used to justify the demeaning and degradation of others. I think this is an especially important theme because John Carter is a confederate soldier. White Christians in his time and before his time used Christianity to justify their "owning" of black slaves. Burroughs reverses the races (in my mind to make this story more comfortable for the white Americans he wrote this for) but his point is hammered home in a very light and fun way. I love a good fun book with a message. 5/5 all the way.
This book feels like the song The Boys Are Back in Town by Thin Lizzy. Every few chapters or so John Carter finds himself in a dangerous situation, turns around and is surprised to find one of his old friends from the last novel there just in time to help him save the day. It's so improbable and ridiculous, but you end up loving it because the boys are back in town and they're about to kick some ass.
As fun as this novel is it also does a great examination of religion. This is science fiction at its best, an out of this world story to examine very real world issues. Gods of Mars examines how so many different cultures believe their religion or faith is the "right" faith without deeply exploring and examining it or what else exists in the world.
Gods of Mars also examines how religion is used to justify the demeaning and degradation of others. I think this is an especially important theme because John Carter is a confederate soldier. White Christians in his time and before his time used Christianity to justify their "owning" of black slaves. Burroughs reverses the races (in my mind to make this story more comfortable for the white Americans he wrote this for) but his point is hammered home in a very light and fun way. I love a good fun book with a message. 5/5 all the way.
This continuation of the Barsoom series adds two more races of people to Martian life: blacks and whites. Despite being written prior to the civil rights movement in America, I felt E.R Burroughs handled his depiction of black people remarkably well. He admits that black people are strong and beautiful, though they must ultimately be defeated and subdued by John Carter (like the other races).
The hero's emergence as the undisputed ruler off all races through military prowess is still troubling. It is hypocritical for a man to condemn the Martians for their 'might makes right' mentality and call them heartless, and then conquer and pillage their cities.
The pacing of action kept me interested throughout the novel, despite E.R. Burroughs’s tendency toward verbosity. I rolled my eyes as each Martian declared their undying loyalty for John Carter and every woman swooned at his feet. John Carter was built up to be such a model of perfection that he seemed unreal. He was a super hero and not a real person despite the challenges he faced.
Of course I am looking at this novel through the modern eyes. Contemporary heroes have been transformed into average people that react in very human ways. It is perhaps unfair to judge this early fantasy character based on modern tastes, but I can't help thinking that John Carter would have been a more complete hero if he had shown some human weakness.
The hero's emergence as the undisputed ruler off all races through military prowess is still troubling. It is hypocritical for a man to condemn the Martians for their 'might makes right' mentality and call them heartless, and then conquer and pillage their cities.
The pacing of action kept me interested throughout the novel, despite E.R. Burroughs’s tendency toward verbosity. I rolled my eyes as each Martian declared their undying loyalty for John Carter and every woman swooned at his feet. John Carter was built up to be such a model of perfection that he seemed unreal. He was a super hero and not a real person despite the challenges he faced.
Of course I am looking at this novel through the modern eyes. Contemporary heroes have been transformed into average people that react in very human ways. It is perhaps unfair to judge this early fantasy character based on modern tastes, but I can't help thinking that John Carter would have been a more complete hero if he had shown some human weakness.
Soooo fun! Way more complex and even more imaginative than the first book. It felt like ERB had been visited by a holy thern with a vision of what action movies would be like today. Love the religious skepticism and utter black-and-white treatment of the human psyche.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Wow, it had been a bit since I read book one so I was jumping into this adventure with only general knowledge of the first book, but for the most part that felt totally fine as who's who was pretty clear and important relationships from book 1 were explained.
What I often love most about these books is the description of the environments, creatures and characters. But mostly creatures and environments because sometimes the character descriptions can be bit uncomfortable as it was here as I wasn't sure if there was some commentary or not.
I do like the adventureous elements as well, and this one was pretty epic for that. One challenge is that. I do find the language a bit challenging, but I am willing to roll with that given there has been over a hundred years since this was written.
I am ambitiously planning to read the whole series this year. Let's see how far I get!
What I often love most about these books is the description of the environments, creatures and characters. But mostly creatures and environments because sometimes the character descriptions can be bit uncomfortable as it was here as I wasn't sure if there was some commentary or not.
I do like the adventureous elements as well, and this one was pretty epic for that. One challenge is that
Spoiler
John Carter is so overpowered. I know we want to root for the hero but there feels like there is no way anyone can be as strong as him, therefore the tension is pretty low...even though he was captured.. twice!I am ambitiously planning to read the whole series this year. Let's see how far I get!
The mighty airship pirates make their first appearance in this volume of the Barsoom saga along with Thuvia the maid of Mars. The Black Pirates are the First Born race of Barsoom
Burroughs doesn't think to highly of the black skinned race of Barsoom, but still manages to impress and make an ally of one of his opponents.
John Carter is as honorable and heroic as ever
Truth Justice and the American way, I wonder if the creators of superman were John Carter fans.
Thuvia is just itching to be with him
"The First Born do no work. The men fight--that is a sacred
privilege and duty; to fight and die for Issus. The women do
nothing, absolutely nothing. Slaves wash them, slaves dress
them, slaves feed them. There are some, even, who have
slaves that talk for them, and I saw one who sat during
the rites with closed eyes while a slave narrated to her the
events that were transpiring within the arena."
Burroughs doesn't think to highly of the black skinned race of Barsoom, but still manages to impress and make an ally of one of his opponents.
John Carter is as honorable and heroic as ever
I said, placing my hand upon his shoulder,
"you know best the promptings of your own heart. That I
shall need your sword I have little doubt, but accept from
John Carter upon his sacred honour the assurance that he
will never call upon you to draw this sword other than in
the cause of truth, justice, and righteousness."
Truth Justice and the American way, I wonder if the creators of superman were John Carter fans.
Thuvia is just itching to be with him
"I forget nothing, my Prince," she replied. "You have
spoken no word of love to me, nor do I expect that you
ever shall; but nothing can prevent me loving you. I would
not take the place of Dejah Thoris. My greatest ambition is to
serve you, my Prince, for ever as your slave. No greater boon
could I ask, no greater honour could I crave, no greater
happiness could I hope."
I didn't like it as much as the first book, but it was a page turner nonetheless.
I know I read this as a teen and possibly more than once. That said, I really didn't recall much of the story aside from remembering that John Carter returns from his long exile on Earth to Barsoom.
I listened to the Librivox recording by Thomas Copeland. It seems like Mr. Copeland or LIbrivox had to splice parts of two recordings together to make this one and the two had slightly different audio quality. Aside from that minor issue, he was a fine narrator.
The story was amazing. I love Edgar Rice Burroughs and this might be one of his finest. Great story, action, and writing. I listen to these on my two hours of driving each day and this story had me cheering, laughing, and even rolling my eyes a few times. Even with the corny, chauvinist lines, I loved every moment of this book.
I also must note that I feel this book is an indictment of religion. I had picked up an anti-religious vibe in some of ERB's Tarzan or Pellucidar stories, but this one was not a mere thought or vibe. The entire plot was his vehicle for an indictment on organized religion. It seems incredible that something like this was done 104 years ago, but I know such sentiment was not uncommon then.
I leave you with a quote from John Carter to his former captor, ""I will say a few more words, Xodar, with no intent to wound your feelings further, but rather that you may give thought to the fact that while we live we are still more the arbiters of our own fate than is any god."
I listened to the Librivox recording by Thomas Copeland. It seems like Mr. Copeland or LIbrivox had to splice parts of two recordings together to make this one and the two had slightly different audio quality. Aside from that minor issue, he was a fine narrator.
The story was amazing. I love Edgar Rice Burroughs and this might be one of his finest. Great story, action, and writing. I listen to these on my two hours of driving each day and this story had me cheering, laughing, and even rolling my eyes a few times. Even with the corny, chauvinist lines, I loved every moment of this book.
I also must note that I feel this book is an indictment of religion. I had picked up an anti-religious vibe in some of ERB's Tarzan or Pellucidar stories, but this one was not a mere thought or vibe. The entire plot was his vehicle for an indictment on organized religion. It seems incredible that something like this was done 104 years ago, but I know such sentiment was not uncommon then.
I leave you with a quote from John Carter to his former captor, ""I will say a few more words, Xodar, with no intent to wound your feelings further, but rather that you may give thought to the fact that while we live we are still more the arbiters of our own fate than is any god."
Burroughs takes the mythology he established in the first book and not only turns it over--he shatters it. And man, was it a page-turner! I thought this swashbuckling adventure was even better than the first. The plant men were imaginative and scary, new characters like Xodar and Carthoris added a lot of depth, old friends made heroic returns, and, despite John Carter's still-annoying Mary Sue-ism, the challenges and perils got tougher and tougher. A great airship battle sweetens the deal!
Only downside? A cliffhanger ending to beat all cliffhangers. But still, what an adventure!
Only downside? A cliffhanger ending to beat all cliffhangers. But still, what an adventure!