Official Blurb
John Carter, an American Civil War veteran, goes prospecting in Arizona and, when set upon by Indians, is mysteriously transported to Mars, called “Barsoom” by its inhabitants. Carter finds that he has great strength on this planet, due to its lesser gravity. Carter soon falls in among the Tharks, a nomadic tribe of the planet’s warlike, four-armed, green inhabitants. Thanks to his strength and combat abilities he rises in position in the tribe and earns the respect eventually the friendship of Tars Tarkas one of the Thark chiefs.
The Tharks subsequently capture Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, a member of the humanoid red Martian race. The red Martians inhabit a loose network of city states and control the desert planet’s canals, along which its agriculture is concentrated. Carter rescues her from the green men to return her to her people.
My Review
When I saw the new version of this audio book popup at librivox I was astounded to see I hadn't reviewed the original version.
I promptly downloaded this recording from Mark Nelson and set to!
This is the first book in a series by Edgar Rice Burroughs starring John Carter, of Mars. As the blurb suggests the story is a real pulp style story with swords and science intimately mixed. The story is riddled with constant action, mostly combat, that keeps everything interesting. The story may be a bit far-fetched to modern ears but lets face it, were talking about a man on mars battling aliens with a sword so we have to accept that sometimes things might sound a bit that way.
The book is clearly written, constantly exciting and boldly heroic. So if you like science fiction and don't object to hig action and daring do, then this is a great audio book to download.
It's read by the marvelous Mark Nelson so there is of course a perfect reading to be heard.
Reading 3/3
Production 2/3
Story 3/3
Total Score 8/9
Download it from Librivox
Listen to the first chapter
