Favorite Fiction: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

“I have ever been prone to seek adventure and to investigate and experiment where wiser men would have left well enough alone.”

Though A Princess of Mars isn’t ERB’s most successful work, it is still one of the many great pulp sci-fi stories in history. Burroughs has influenced many prolific writers over the years, spanning various styles and genres, and the reason why is clear. He spins intriguing and masterful yarns that are rich in adventure, romance, fun, and strong, unique characters.
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Some may view the main protagonist, John Carter, as a bit of a Gary Stu, but I doubt that was Burroughs intention. A Princess of Mars and other similar stories of the time were written to be fantasy-filled journeys in which the reader could escape and find adventure alongside heroic protagonists like John Carter. 

While fantastical in invention, Burroughs gives plausible reasons for John Carter’s success. The lower gravity on Mars, or Barsoom as the Martians call it, combined with John Carter’s seasoned soldier physique, makes him significantly stronger and more agile. This, and his ability to quickly adapt physically and mentally to the Martian environment, puts him at a great advantage. Just as with any of ERB’s other stories, A Princess of Mars is well-written, well-paced, and does not fail to wholly entertain. 

Anne McCaffrey​ once said of Burroughs silted way of writing,

“It didn’t much bother us as kids because we were in the hands of a master storyteller, and the sheer magic of the stories he told transcend his flaws in literary style.”
--A Thousand or So Words of Wisdom
Writers of the Future V33

​The story begins with John Carter fleeing a rather bloody fight with a group of Apache Indians in frontier America. Seeking shelter and safety, he enters a mysterious cave where he succumbs to the hypnotic influence of the cave and awakens to find himself on Mars.

The story is instantly propelled forward by intricate worldbuilding and the introduction of several unique species of Barsoomian creatures. The green men are towering 15-foot-tall creatures with green skin, tusks, four arms, expressive eyes, and a lean but muscular build. The red men, or Heliumites, are much like men but of a warrior culture with black hair, intense eyes, and elaborate, ornate clothing. The white apes are enormous, muscular, and powerful creatures with albino white skin, sharp fangs, and large, fierce eyes. And to round out the odd mix of creatures there’s Woola, a large, furless, calf-sized, dog-like animal with ten short legs, a broad, flat head, and large wide-set eyes. Woola is incredibly loyal and protective of John Carter throughout the story.

​And then there’s Dejah Thoris, the whole reason the book has its name. She is the daughter of Chieftain Mors Kajak, known for her striking beauty with copper-colored skin, fine features, and raven hair. While Dejah certainly finds herself in perilous situations, labeling her a “damsel in distress” doesn’t do her character justice. She is resourceful and intelligent, frequently engaging in political and diplomatic efforts to protect her people, and displays bravery and courage as she fights alongside John Carter. Throughout the book, she is often put in many dangerous situations and always faces them head-on. Whether it be political or physical danger, Dejah is strong and resolute. Burroughs certainly created an inspiring and compelling character.

​A Princess of Mars is unequivocally a classic adventure of romance, science fiction, great worldbuilding, and captivating characters. It is truly an iconic work by an iconic storyteller.

When John Carter, a former confederate soldier, is mysteriously transported from Earth to the alien world of Mars, he finds himself in a planet of warring factions, dangerous landscapes, and strange creatures. On Barsoom, as the Martians call their world, Carter’s newfound strength and agility make him a formidable warrior, but he soon discovers that his greatest challenge is yet to come.

Amidst the violent struggle between Martian races, Carter falls in love with Dejah Thoris, the beautiful and proud Princess of Helium. To save her and unite the divided planet, Carter must navigate epic battles, political intrigue, and a culture unlike any he’s known before. A Princess of Mars is an exhilarating tale of love, honor, and adventure, a timeless classic that laid the foundation for modern science fiction.