I usually begin with an apology for loving these Tarzan books by ERB or Burroughs as he is known by the world at large. The original books were writteI usually begin with an apology for loving these Tarzan books by ERB or Burroughs as he is known by the world at large. The original books were written with a less sensitive mindset than we are taught to use these days. For our post-modern sensitivities, the n-word and its variations would immediately disqualify such work of its worthiness to be read, and most versions of these books have been sanitized of that language, which makes me sad.
I'm Puerto Rican and we have heard and read slurs for us as a marginalized group too. These words were written in the 1920s and a writer of popular, adventure fiction did not have the same attention that nowadays would get the man's work cancelled and blacklisted (no pun intended). As a boy the books had already begun to be sanitized of the most offensive language, so the versions I read never had the words that this copy of the original story contain, so a word to the wise, stick to the sanitized more recent versions.
Here, Erich von Harben, the young, German archeologist deserted by his guides, continues looking for a lost civilization, when he finds a hidden valley with a lost civilization different from the one he was searching for: two rival cities pulled from the Roman Empire. Tarzan is searching for Erich when he is captured by Castra Sanguinarius, one city, while Erich is captured by the rival city Castrum Mare.
There is action, vile villains, falling in love, betrayal, a monkey companion, the Waziri, and a whole lot of drama. Clearly, I enjoyed the action, and despite the repetitious storylines, I'm way more accepting of the Tarzan stories than the John Carter ones. If you're expecting me to argue about suspension of disbelief, I'm sorry. I don't think ERB was expecting readers to believe in Tarzan as a hero. He, in fact, endeavors to make Tarzan larger than life and better than us. I'm ok with that....more
At the risk of being redundant, it's difficult being objective when I read all these books in my youth and loved them. I know that the plot is really At the risk of being redundant, it's difficult being objective when I read all these books in my youth and loved them. I know that the plot is really following well-established tropes (finding a new world, helping people he meets in the thoroughfares of the jungle, and those new characters taking over the middle portion of the narrative). Essentially, Tarzan is the co-star to the novel, and it becomes even more evident in this Book #11 in the 24-book series. The previous book, the Tarzan Twins, is a two- novella compilation written for children and is not included as part of the larger series.
Here, Tarzan stumbles into a lost / hidden / forbidden valley of British knights and crusaders from the Middle Ages attempting to rescue a photographer and another less worthy hunter of African fauna. (It's amazing how many "lost/hidden/forbidden valleys there seem to be in the jungle. Also, it's amazing how many people are traveling in Africa, that get lost.) The lost individuals get involved in complex situations, and really get the bulk of the harrowing issues and Tarzan gets appended in almost an ancillary way at the end.
The stories are interesting, but they are redundant. What is interesting is that I started the John Carter stories fully intending to read them all. I got through the first seven and couldn't continue because John Carter stopped being a member of the cast. Essentially the Mars books would begin with a different lead every book. This series is starting to feel very much like John Carter.
Overall, despite the redundancy, I fully intend to read all 24 books before the end of the year. I want to read only horror in October, but we will see how that goes. The Tarzan books still have a way of taking me back to my childhood, when I originally owned all 24 paperbacks, smelling faintly of age and mildew. Mom would have to come into my room, turn off my desk lamp, and tell me to go to bed. Sometimes she would kiss me and suggest that if she saw me turn my light back on that she would knock me. She never did. God rest her soul. At 59, there are so few things that remind me of childhood. Is it any wonder I can't be objective when it comes to Tarzan?...more
Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins is a two-novella anthology compilation of ERB stories that are listed as part of the Tarzan continuity but are not includeTarzan and the Tarzan Twins is a two-novella anthology compilation of ERB stories that are listed as part of the Tarzan continuity but are not included as part of the 24-book series, because the stories were specifically written as stories marketed for younger readers. The first novella, "The Tarzan Twins," fits right after Tarzan and the Ant Men, while the second novella titled, "Tarzan and the Tarzan Twins, with Jad-bal-ja, the Golden Lion," fits right after Tarzan and the Lost Empire. There is almost a ten-year gap between the Tarzan Twin novellas.
The first novella introduces the twins as actual cousins born to twin sisters. One of the sisters is the wife of a Greystoke relative to Tarzan. The boys are named Dick and Doc who met at a "bougie" private school for future British aristocrats. On their fourteenth summer vacation they get to spend time with their uncle Tarzan, but on the way their train is derailed, and they wander into the jungle, where they are pursued and captured by cannibals.
The second novella with the way-too-wordy title picks up with the cousins that look like twins spending some quality time with their uncle instructing them on jungle craft. Tarzan also introduces them to Jad-bal-ja, his pet lion. Somehow along the way, the Twins get separated from Tarzan, and they witness the mistreatment of a white girl by followers of the Flaming God who hail from Opar and are seeking a high place to continue their worship and make sacrifices. Doc and Dick decide that they cannot just continue on their way without getting involved.
Overall, there does not feel like a marked difference between these stories and those listed in the continuity, other than less description of the kills and fights, which still happen although they end quicker. The flowery language is limited with less opportunities to wax poetic. Lastly, I really believe that this is one of the few ERB works that I had never read. I, of course, loved it....more
Tarzan and the Ant Men is the tenth book in the twenty-four-volume ERB series featuring Tarzan. Initially published in serial form for Argosy All-StorTarzan and the Ant Men is the tenth book in the twenty-four-volume ERB series featuring Tarzan. Initially published in serial form for Argosy All-Story Weekly in 1924, it was released in novel form later that same year. Although there is a considerable amount of world-building, a demonstration of tremendous preparation, and single-minded dedication to the novel, this has to be the weakest of ERB's Tarzan novels.
It is clear to me that there is a lot of plot construction that went into preparation for the novel, but it is equally clear that redundant plots continue to plague ERB novels. Last year in my re-reads of the Barsoomian novels, I only read seven because they stopped being about John Carter from Mars and became about a new surrogate guest starring and essentially playing the John Carter role. If you have such a cool character, why does he have to keep doing the same thing over and over. It makes no sense.
Here, Tarzan takes the plane and finds a new "lost" world with two new races, one of them being the Amt Men from the title. Again, the redundancy of finding a lost world; then Tarzan befriends the king, Adendrohahkis, (say that fast three times) and his son, Komodoflorensal and helps them in a battle, but he along with the prince are captured, shrunken to two feet miniatures, and must fight their way out of the situation.
Tarzan's look-alike, Esteban Miranda is still hanging around with the cannibal village. There really is way too much complexity to discuss in a review. Generally, I like the complexity, but in this book, there is way too much exposition already. I hope I'm making the point that even an admittedly subjective ERB fan will find this novel, excessively tedious....more
Tarzan and the Golden Lion is the ninth book in the 24-book series, originally published in the Argosy All-Star Weekly pulp magazine in 1922 and in boTarzan and the Golden Lion is the ninth book in the 24-book series, originally published in the Argosy All-Star Weekly pulp magazine in 1922 and in book form in 1923. I have loved re-reading, re-living my youth when Tarzan swept me into the jungle at ten years old for the first time. I admit it is difficult to be objective about these novels.
Trigger warnings here: the n-word is used in this novel way more than necessary. True that the word is uttered by villains, but this is the first novel that the word is used more than five times. I don't hold classic authors to the same standards as other authors especially when I recognize that our cultural sensitivities have changed and ERB wrote this book more than 100 years ago. I also recognize that ERB doesn't seem to hold an innate bias toward people of color (the way someone like Lovecraft did.)
Here, while returning from the previous novel, Tarzan finds himself an orphaned lion cub to train and nurture named Jad-bal-ja. Flora Hawkes (former house maid of the Greystokes) returns to Africa with the objective to plunder the city of Opar, enlisting degenerates and a Tarzan look-alike to act as a bulwark against probing questions and nosy interlopers. Also, World War I had depleted the Greystoke finances to such a degree that Tarzan has decided to return to Opar himself to grab some gold.
Along the way, of course Tarzan runs into Hawkes group of thieves and Queen La, the high priestess of the Oparians, who is also the infamous lover of all-things Tarzan. The reader finds that there is another lost valley, this one of diamonds, another race of intelligent apes, and surprise, surprise Jane is abducted again. Oh, boy. I took away one star for all the negatives and kept four stars because its Tarzan and he is cool....more
Tarzan the Terrible is book number eight from the Tarzan series of novels that reached a formidable 24 books written by ERB. It follows approximately Tarzan the Terrible is book number eight from the Tarzan series of novels that reached a formidable 24 books written by ERB. It follows approximately two months after the last novel (Tarzan the Untamed) where Tarzan has just found out that Jane was not killed, but abducted for what appears to be the 37th time in eight books. Even in this one, Jane Porter is abducted at least two more times. Hay Dios mio!
Published in serial form by Argosy All-Story Weekly in 1921, it is clear that ERB has a fully realized idea as to what the lost world of Pal-ul-don looks like. He even includes a map in the version I read and a glossary of terms at the end.
In tracking Jane, Tarzan enters a hidden valley, lost world area populated with dinosaurs, and two races with fully functional tails. The hairless, white Ho-don live in cities, while the hairy, black Waz-don live in the hills. Although the men typically demonstrate animosity toward each other, Tarzan capably gets the men to work with him to navigate a difficult and dangerous situation. His skills earn him the name "Tarzan-Jad-Guru" (or Tarzan the Terrible).
Jane is held captive in Pal-ul-don by the World War I German soldier that staged the scenario at the Greystoke manor that caused Tarzan to believe his wife had been killed. Clearly, as these thins typically go, things get worse before they get better. Loved the novel as much as I love Tarzan. These novels are special to me....more
I initiate this review with a caveat or two. I love these books, so although I will grudgingly stipulate to some minor (possibly major) imperfections,I initiate this review with a caveat or two. I love these books, so although I will grudgingly stipulate to some minor (possibly major) imperfections, they are IMHO capable of being overlooked. ERB wrote the Tarzan books early in the 1900s. (Tarzan the Untamed published circa 1920.) Clearly, a white male in that milieu (however learned) will not be as culturally, ethnically enlightened as a post-modern man or I hope not.
Also, ERB was almost annoyingly redundant with some of his storylines. This is book number seven in the Tarzan series of 24 books. How many times has Lord Greystoke's home in Africa been destroyed and his wife kidnapped? Still, I love these books and so take my reviews about ERB's work with a grain of salt. (I'm Puerto Rican, so better with some Adobo on pernil. The salt makes us hypertensive and chunky.)
The start of World War I has reached Africa. German soldiers have attacked the Greystoke manor, killing Jane Porter and the Waziri leader, leaving Jane Porter's charred-beyond-all-recognition body on her bed, and his body crucified on a hill. Needless to say, Tarzan flies into a destructive passion against all things German, headed toward the battle front fully intending to engage the enemy.
What follows is a well-written, Tarzan, African adventure story filled with action, fraught with danger, and intrigue, suspenseful and overflowing with wonderful vocabulary, and lyrical metaphors. ERB's purple prose doesn't diminish the story in my view, it enhances it. These books get my highest recommendation despite being filled with unbelievable coincidences, but what do you expect from a guy who learned to read from primers and no direct instruction....more
If you have followed my reviews this year, you will notice that I have read a lot of ERB. I finished all I could tolerate of John Carter (7 books); I If you have followed my reviews this year, you will notice that I have read a lot of ERB. I finished all I could tolerate of John Carter (7 books); I know there's more, but I was annoyed by the lack of John Carter in the latter books which are supposed to be the John Carter of Mars series. Good stories, but the redundant plots by surrogate characters are annoying.
Now, I'm reading Tarzan's 24 book series. I have them all and I have read 5 so far. I'm currently on the sixth, but I have also read some of the graphic novels anthologizing the Tarzan comics. The Complete Joe Kubert Years Omnibus is the latest completed.
Joe Kubert was a great artist known for his war comics: Sgt. Rock, the Haunted Tank, and G. I. Combat. In the 70s, he was in charge of writing and drawing Tarzan. His incredible artistic style is distinct with a lot of feathering and facial expressions that overtly conveyed emotion.
As a boyhood fan of Tarzan, and a clear reader of the books, it is obvious that some of the novels and stories found their way into his run in the Tarzan comics. It was a smart move to allow himself to be influenced by such a master as ERB. Kubert's comic book covers are dynamic. The one-page splash pages sing, and the two-page splashes are murals filled to overflowing with story. Even in the actual scripted work, Kubert imitates the purple prose, lyrical language that was one of ERB's strengths. This work is gorgeous, and worthy of a high recommendation....more
Jungle Tales of Tarzan is another great Tarzan book, number six in the series, differentiated from the previous five novels as an anthologized collectJungle Tales of Tarzan is another great Tarzan book, number six in the series, differentiated from the previous five novels as an anthologized collection of twelve loosely connected stories of Tarzan in his youth. As typical of ERB's work, the stories each originally appeared in a pulp magazine (in this case Blue Book magazine) before being published as a book in 1919.
I chose to go back and add a trigger warning because there are insensitive, racially charged vocabulary and characterizations inherent in works that were published a century ago. As a Latino, I'm especially attuned for even hints at cultural disrespect, but I personally give a pass to those works of a differing cultural milieu. BTW, not all of the black characters are treated as a monolithic, villainous trope.
One of the joys I received in re-reading Jungle Tales is the wonderful details added to these "studies" as they focus on differing aspects of Tarzan's life. The initial story is called "Tarzan's First Love," which serves to highlight his immense loneliness despite his membership to the tribe. His affection of Teeka is profound, and a magnificent way to introduce the book.
Along the way, there are stories involving Tarzan's enduring friendships with Tantor the elephant, and Taug his ape rival for Teeka, while also establishing his enmity with two witch doctors named Bukawai and Rabba Kega. Not all of Tarzan's challenges are physical confrontations with the fauna: one might mention his fights with Numa, Sheeta, and Hista.
There are mental, intellectual challenges that might have been better met had he grown with the cultural, familial background and support of a normal child: questioning his understanding of God, asking the existential questions, and experiencing illness for the first time with all of its inherent difficulties. Overall, another fantastic book by the inimitable ERB....more
First and foremost, I have been enjoying my choices for my 2024 goal of books in the TPB (trade paperback format). So many of these are anthology collFirst and foremost, I have been enjoying my choices for my 2024 goal of books in the TPB (trade paperback format). So many of these are anthology collections of classic work that would otherwise prove cost prohibitive. This collection of the 1947 Dell Comics, Tarzan magazines was gathered by Dark Horse Comics into a gorgeous paperback edition that I highly recommend to any and every Tarzan enthusiast.
Obviously, there is deliberate acknowledgment that Edgar Rice Burroughs was the creator of Tarzan and that all of these stories have roots in the established canon, but there is also an attempt to make the magazine universe its own thing. Gaylord Dubois gets writing credit on the cover for the edition, where other writers have contributed, their work is also credited. Jesse Marsh is the main artist, but other artists helped when dealing with deadlines. The illustrated work is antiquated but stellar IMHO.
Included in the volume are characters from the Tarzan ethos: Paul Darnot, Muviro, La, Boy, and Jane. Places like Opar, and Tohr are rendered beautifully, and a bunch of Tarzan ape-English vocabulary is interspersed throughout like pages from a dictionary. There is also a page with Tarzan's animal friends like Tantor the elephant, Pacco the zebra, Mangani the ape, Manu the monkey, and Bolgani the gorilla.
I loved it and have enjoyed the ERB fanboy lovefest. I hope to continue to gush....more
Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar is the fifth of the 24 Tarzan series of books written by ERB. It was originally published (as most of Burroughs' pulp woTarzan and the Jewels of Opar is the fifth of the 24 Tarzan series of books written by ERB. It was originally published (as most of Burroughs' pulp work) in All-Story Cavalier Weekly in 1916. Derivative of his previous work, ERB returns to several previous tropes, one having to find a kidnapped Jane, another involving the Lost City of Opar. Yet, finding a way to make the story interesting.
Here, the novel returns the continuity to before Tarzan and Jane became parents. Due to some financial difficulties, Tarzan decides to return to Opar, a hidden city inhabited by denizens of Atlantis that were fortunate enough to escape the sinking. Opar has myriad chambers filled with incredible treasures of precious metals and jewels.
While Tarzan is gathering some treasures, an unfortunate earthquake causes the disturbance of rocks that fall on Tarzan's head. His injury causes amnesia such that when he encounters the priestess, La, lead servant of the Flaming God (whom he met in a previous novel), he does not recognize her. She had already fallen for him but seeing him again she wants to mate with him or kill him.
Back at the homestead, Jane entertains a rogue who is really only interested in taking possession of all that is Lord Greystoke's, including Jane, especially Jane. Eventually, Jane is kidnapped along with the destruction of the estate and Tarzan must overcome his memory loss challenge, find his wife, and restore some measure of what it means to be Greystoke / Tarzan.
I love these stories. I don't care that they are heavy on the literary devices of coincidence, and Deus ex machina. For me, it's all part of the magic. I read these stories for the first time as a boy, so my unsophisticated sense of story was shaped by ERB's vocabulary, flair, and literary devices....more
The Son of Tarzan is the fourth book in the ERB series of Tarzan novels and is really quite good for a sequel. It was published in novel form in 1917 The Son of Tarzan is the fourth book in the ERB series of Tarzan novels and is really quite good for a sequel. It was published in novel form in 1917 by A. C. McClurg & Co. (who would publish the first ten of the Tarzan books).
I would give a caveat here that Burroughs wrote escapist fiction with an extensive vocabulary in lyrical prose designed to thrill, strike awe, and entertain. Burroughs used coincidence as a literary device so often that it became almost parodic of itself. I was and remain conscious of it; however, I forgive it as classic ERB.
Here, Alexis Paulvitch (one of the villains of the previous two novels) has had a tough ten years in Africa. He is rescued by a ship headed to Europe. In London, Jane has been overprotective of her son Jack. She has feared romanticizing Tarzan's time in the jungle, worried that in sharing the adventure, it might cause Jack to want to be more like his father.
Clearly, her fears become reality, and Jack begins his own adventure where he communicates with apes, rescues a young girl, teaches her jungle survival skills, and must protect her from all manner of predator in the jungle, including her own father.
Fantastic story, with wonderful characters that the reader empathizes with the protagonists and despises the antagonists. The tale has heart which caused me to get allergy attacks a couple of times reaching for tissues which is not what I would expect from Burroughs. I loved this a lot....more
I begin with a word about the MEGAPACKS that compile disparate themes, authors, genres into large collections, sometimes over a thousand pages, into cI begin with a word about the MEGAPACKS that compile disparate themes, authors, genres into large collections, sometimes over a thousand pages, into convenient anthologies of classic stories, and novels. I acquired this collection for free, but it is available for 99 cents over certain platforms.
Over the course of his literary career, ERB only wrote four westerns. They are fantastically well-written and collected in this small volume.
The Bandit of Hell's Bend is the first of these novels. It follows the familiar trope of the wealthy rancher that gets killed with the killer intending to take the ranch from the dead rancher's daughter. There are several nuances that alter a little the trope to make a wonderful story.
The War Chief and Apache Devil are two novels that are part one and part two of an epic story. Shoz-Dijiji, the adopted white son of Geronimo, was taken from his parents in a raid, raised to be Apache, he excelled in the hunting, tracking, stealth, and warrior arts. In the first book, the reader learns about his growing up, and the second book, talks about him as an adult. I was very impressed with the story ERB communicates here, because his treatment of the American Indian population in these books is more enlightened, sophisticated, and progressive.
In The Deputy Sheriff of Comanche County, the novel is not just a western, but a murder mystery as well. The Deputy Sheriff is investigating a murder mystery but is absent from the majority of the investigation. The story unfolds in a typical manner, but ERB has found another way to layer nuance on what might otherwise seem like a common story.
I love ERB's prose. There is a lyrical cadence to his words that I find transformative. Especially in these westerns, the proximity to nature is clearly inspiring to Burroughs. The books are not perfect, but I loved them....more
I prefer to put my caveats up front to give readers an idea of where I come from when it comes to reviewing a classic written over 100 years ago. I haI prefer to put my caveats up front to give readers an idea of where I come from when it comes to reviewing a classic written over 100 years ago. I have thus not mentioned the elephant in the room regarding racialized language and the derogative slurs used to write about the distinct (nonwhite) races referred to in this and many of ERB's work.
Trigger alert: there are racialized, derogatory slurs used by ERB and many other writers from his milieu. I hesitate to use the term racist because in the four westerns ERB wrote, his treatment of the American Indian characters is not just fair, but down-right progressive. Zane Grey (a contemporary) was nowhere near as enlightened.
The Beasts of Tarzan is the third of the Tarzan novels. It was published in 1914 in All-Story Cavalier, became wildly popular, and made a good bit of money. I personally enjoyed it, although I would agree with many of those readers who would feel that Burroughs relies too heavily on coincidence and the deus ex machina. Yes, it is very difficult to suspend disbelief in pulp characters, and especially one raised in Africa by apes. However, I love Tarzan, and ERB.
Here, Russians kidnap Tarzan's wife and son, attempt to strand him on an island in Africa, and he is forced to marshal a troop made up of apes, people, and a black panther. I thought it was believable, fun, and extremely dramatic. Clearly, I wasn't the only one. Everybody knows about Tarzan....more
I have always loved The Return of Tarzan almost as much as I love Tarzan of the Apes. Although the first novel of every series is usually the best, thI have always loved The Return of Tarzan almost as much as I love Tarzan of the Apes. Although the first novel of every series is usually the best, the second novel of this series has always been my favorite because the love story is resolved in this book. For that reason, and for all the others involving plot and story beats, these two books have always felt like two parts of the same narrative.
The Return of Tarzan is Book 2 of the Tarzan series written by Edgar Rice Burroughs or ERB as how fans call him. I love these books in case you didn't get that from my topic sentence. Here, Tarzan is returning to Europe after an emotional upheaval the likes he has never felt before, when he involves himself in the affairs of a newlywed couple that are marked by Russian opportunists. When he impedes their schemes, he becomes a target as well.
From France, to Algeria, then to Cape Town, and the Hidden City of Opar, Tarzan finds many opportunities to make new friends (Olga and Raoul de Coude, Hazel Strong, a youth named Abdul, Ouled-Nail, Sheik Kadour ben Saden, and the Priestess La), and make a positive impact in their lives.
The narrative is filled with action set pieces in exotic locales, harrowing rescues, hidden treasure, a lost civilization, new languages for Tarzan to learn, and the agony of romance. This book practically engages and includes many subgenres, but it primarily moves like a rapid-paced adventure novel written by a literary artisan that understands how to capture a reader's attention and never let you go. So, yeah, I think it's close to perfect....more
I know; I know. He learns to read and write with the help of kindergarten resources, fully motivated to learn fueled by personal drive and desire. MomI know; I know. He learns to read and write with the help of kindergarten resources, fully motivated to learn fueled by personal drive and desire. Mom and Dad had packed away paper, pencils, and an exhaustive library. I don't care that it stretches the extremes of believability. I've been reading the Tarzan novels, since I was 12. It's never bothered me before.
I bought in a long time ago, when I was a wee lad. There's a lot of action, adventure, and fantasy, here written in gorgeously, lush purple prose. The story, if you haven't heard is about an English lord and his wife take off to Africa to engage in some diplomatic mission, but before they arrive at their destination, they witness a mutiny. The pirates are kind enough to strand them with their things and they live long enough to have a baby.
Tarzan is raised by apes until manhood. His curiosity of heritage is only set when people wind up using the home created by Lord Greystoke. Tarzan feels proprietary of the residence and gets strange sensations when he contemplates Jane Porter. Of course, this is the first novel of the Tarzan series written by ERB, published in 1914, initiating a run of 24 + books written by ERB and then he had help and exploiters.
If I recall correctly, The Return of Tarzan is better because there is no longer need of an origin story. There's a clear villain, and a major plot thread gets resolved. This one is important because it begins to knit together a mythology that is classic in its paradigm and speculative in the awe it engenders in most readers....more
I like to begin with caveats, and A Fighting Man of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (or ERB as fanatics of the man like to call him, of which I number) rI like to begin with caveats, and A Fighting Man of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs (or ERB as fanatics of the man like to call him, of which I number) requires caveats as far as I am concerned. The novel is the seventh in the John Carter of Mars series AKA Barsoom #7.
I'm annoyed that these novels are basically the same novel written seven times over with slightly altered scenarios. A woman gets captured by a villainous, leader and John Carter or any of his surrogates (men that are rescuing said captured damsel in distress) pursue and eventually rescue the woman. Although the prose is fantastic, I mean it's the same frigging story.
This is the story of Tan Hadron of Hastor (the dude), a lowly, poor officer who is in love with the beautiful, Sanoma Tora, daughter of Tor Hatan, a rich noble. As Hadron is low-born, Sanoma treats him with scorn. When Sanoma Tora is kidnapped, Hadron's priority is pursuit regardless of her outright nasty behavior toward him.
Of course, along the way, Hadron experiences the exotic flora and fauna of Barsoom, tangling with dangerous creatures, cannibals, and a mad scientist, named Phor Tak. There is a plot twist that I won't divulge, but most lovers of fantasy will see this one coming a mile away. I don't blame ERB for that. I blame all those that follow the example of a master such as ERB.
This is a classic from 1930, so of course, he was going to be copied by lesser writers. I enjoyed this book, but I'm still annoyed by ERB essentially plagiarizing himself. I wanted more John Carter, and I got surrogates. Formal Protest!...more
This one was difficult to judge, my friends; because on the one hand, I love ERB's prose, but on the other hand, I believe that there's a step back inThis one was difficult to judge, my friends; because on the one hand, I love ERB's prose, but on the other hand, I believe that there's a step back in the writing by bringing in the no name dude playing right field to come in to pitch the bottom of the ninth. Up to Chessmen of Mars, I have enjoyed the exploits of John Carter and his children, so here we are introduced to an entirely new character who has traveled from earth to mars just like John Carter did.
I get that the Warlord of Mars has become too famous on Mars to travel incognito, but I bought the ticket to see the star of the show and we don't get the star; in fact, we don't even get to see his kids either. I don't hate Ulysses Paxton or Vad Varo, as he is called on Barsoom, but I'm not overly impressed with the Frankenstein-like story beats. It brings into focus the reasons why most Barsoomian Collections only collect the first seven of the John Carter novels.
Ulysses Paxton is on a World War I battlefield when he is transported to Mars. The scientist Ras Thavas has need of someone trustworthy who can learn the art of transplanting brains in order to prolong life. Thavas has a nice business transplanting the brains of affluent elderly people into the bodies of young, healthy, gorgeous people.
When Paxton falls in love with one of the young women that he is supposed to transplant, he must go on a mission to switch her back. Slight problem, the body now belongs to an empress / Jeddara named Xaxa, and she doesn't want to give the body back. Luckily, there are others unhappy with the process of elites getting to covet the bodies of their subjects and then switching brains with them.
It's kind of a horrific tale, so you can see the Frankenstein connection, but I really feel that the story doesn't fit tonally with the things that have gone before. For me, three stars is a "good" rating, but really poor for a Burroughs book....more
In this anthology of ERB novels, the first seven John Carter of Mars or The Barsoom series of books are collected and presented in a really nice volumIn this anthology of ERB novels, the first seven John Carter of Mars or The Barsoom series of books are collected and presented in a really nice volume. Although I have a problem with the novels as a redundant plot recycled over the course of seven books, I must say that I love the flowery (purple prose?) vocabulary communicated in lyrical fashion.
Sure, believability is an issue from the very beginning. John Carter dreams himself to Mars where there are thriving beings, and cultures on the dying planet. The fauna and flora are imaginatively described to make the reader feel as if s/he is present in the majestic edifices that comprise the very landscape of Barsoom.
John Carter falls in love with a princess of Mars, and he will do whatever it takes to woo her. She is taken from his presence, and he goes in pursuit. In his pursuit, he fights all manner of monsters and would-be suitors, ultimately to receive the title of Warlord. (It means that the guy can kick butt in a major way.)
Over the course of these seven books, the theme of love postponed is repeated ad nauseum. I didn't mind at first, because there would be new characters brought into the novel, and it would be that these new characters would be the ones to experience the postponement of their affections, but the reality is that I totally would have preferred more John Carter and his family and less of the newer characters. Also, he could have done more like the seven labors of Hercules, quest trope thing.
Anyway, it's clearly a very minor criticism. I love ERB, and these are definitely classic stories in my mind....more
Caveats up front, I love me some ERB and find it almost impossible to write objectively about his work. I grew up reading this stuff, and it pulled meCaveats up front, I love me some ERB and find it almost impossible to write objectively about his work. I grew up reading this stuff, and it pulled me out of some really dark moments of solitude to believe that one day, I too might discover a princess willing to undertake an adventure with me.
The Chessmen of Mars is book 5 of the Barsoom novels, originally published in serialized form in the Argosy All Story Weekly pulp over the course of a few months in 1922. The main characters are Tara (John Carter's daughter) and Gahan (her newest suitor) who offends her in their first meeting. Tara capriciously decides to ride a flier when a huge storm kicks up, Gahan following her.
Along the way, they get blown off course, are captured by a bodiless Martian race called kaldane that have established a symbiotic relationship with headless rykors akin to sharks and remora, befriend Ghek, a kaldane that plays a key game of jetan for our heroes (a Martian version of chess) with dire consequences. There is more, but too much to elucidate in a teaser review.
ERB tells an action-oriented story, with some really great suspense, political intrigue, and high adventure (picture a more imaginative Tarzan story). As always, I claim that despite my 5 star rating, the book is as imperfect as most novels, but I gave my caveats in the beginning, and you still chose to read this review. I love you for doing that. Thanks....more
Louie the Mustache
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