Barsoom Series by Edgar Rice Burroughs

[fantasyfan]

These books are the ultimate page turners! The collection is very well done--Thanks for all the work, HarryT!

[rkomar]

It's nice to see some lovin' for Edgar Rice Burroughs. He's gotten a bad rap around here for poor writing, but I don't really see why. I've never found his prose cringe-worthy, and he's still entertaining new readers one hundred years after his books were first published.

Will Harry Potter still be read in one hundred years? It's possible (I think that the later books are good enough to be), but I think being in the public domain is an advantage for the ERB books that the Potter books don't have.

[poohbear_nc]

Originally Posted by flipreads

http://www.amazon.com/Under-Moons-Ma...dp/B0055OIFOE/

Thanks for the link! Also pre-ordered it.
And HarryT's editions here on MobileRead are first rate!

Burroughs' "off world" series are very fun reads!

[sabredog]

I am proud to say I have all his works in paperback, often several different editions.

I love the NEL versions the best. The coverart is simply excellent.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

Thanks for the link! Also pre-ordered it.
And HarryT's editions here on MobileRead are first rate!

Not particularly, at the moment. But if you've been taking note of my signature you'll see that I'm slowly working my way through it, properly proofing it against printed versions (I've bought all 11 books in the series to proof against). When it's done (which will take a month or two longer) I'll upload a much-improved version.

[sabredog]

I look forward to that. Just in time for my bi-annual re-read

Many thanks

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by sabredog

I am proud to say I have all his works in paperback, often several different editions.

I love the NEL versions the best. The coverart is simply excellent.

I got started with the SFBC Barsoom releases. Frazetta jackets and interior art.

As to the movie, deconstructing the trailer suggests they really are taking the books seriously though I saw hints they're going to drop in a couple hooks for the sequels. Not that I'm going to mind seeing a Tharn or two in Zodanga.

And the casting also gives hope.
I just wish they remembered John Carter is a virginia gentleman; I would've prefered him to sport a nice southron accent instead of the generic old west accent they seem to be using. Oh, well. Picking nits, right?

Anyway, I once got into an agument for saying ERB would be remembered and read long after any other contemporary is forgotten. I stand by those words.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

As to the movie, deconstructing the trailer suggests they really are taking the books seriously though I saw hints they're going to drop in a couple hooks for the sequels. Not that I'm going to mind seeing a Tharn or two in Zodanga.

The first three books are a single continuous story, of course. Do you known if they're planning a trilogy? "The Gods of Mars" (the 2nd book) is my personal favourite.

[fjtorres]

I haven't seen any specifics but, as you say, the first three books are a natural trilogy and hollywood loves trilogies.
I do know Mark Strong is playing Matai Shang who by the canon shouldn't be seen until Gods Of Mars. Plus, it is Disney so I think it is a given the cast is already locked up for the next two chapters. Even better, from the corporate point of view, the rest of the series doesn't even need the same actors.

As much I love the first three novels, though, I have to give a slightly higher nod to Chessmen of Mars. Burroughs really cut loose on that one and snuck in a lot more of his usually ignored social commentary. Plus, my sympathies go to poor Gahan; as heroic a barsoomian as any, but trying to woo a princess who measures all men by the examples of her father and older brother.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

As much I love the first three novels, though, I have to give a slightly higher nod to Chessmen of Mars. Burroughs really cut loose on that one and snuck in a lot more of his usually ignored social commentary. Plus, my sympathies go to poor Gahan; as heroic a barsoomian as any, but trying to woo a princess who measures all men by the examples of her father and older brother.

Yes, I agree that "Chessmen" (which, coincidentally, I've just finished proof-reading) is an excellent book. It also has the nice feature of having two major stories within it: the initial story in the valley of Bantoom, and then the second story set in the city of Manator. Tara always strikes me as a spoilt brat, though, I'm afraid .

[fjtorres]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Tara always strikes me as a spoilt brat, though, I'm afraid .

Very much so.
That's what makes it fun; she could probably wipe the floor with the bad guys if she could be bothered. (Something I wouldn't mind added in the movie version when, hopefully, they get that far.)
I distinctly remember the scene were Gahan is furiously fighting off a crowd of baddies, fighting for his life, and she's calmly critique-ing his technique in her head.
Let's face it, by then Burroughs was probably as tired of the pristine damself in distress cliche of the genre as we are.

That's one of the things I love about THE RIDER.
One of his "lesser" early works that is maybe a half inch from a modern black comedy. Pretty much a fractured fairy tale. The Prince is a cad, the princess is spoiled, the american heiress is a wimp, her mother is a terror, and the villain is refreshingly honest: he just wants easy money.

[AndrewH]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Not particularly, at the moment. But if you've been taking note of my signature you'll see that I'm slowly working my way through it, properly proofing it against printed versions (I've bought all 11 books in the series to proof against). When it's done (which will take a month or two longer) I'll upload a much-improved version.

I'm looking forward to that!

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by fjtorres

I got started with the SFBC Barsoom releases. Frazetta jackets and interior art.

Anyway, I once got into an agument for saying ERB would be remembered and read long after any other contemporary is forgotten. I stand by those words.

The NEL cover for Princess of Mars



Venus (Amtor) covers including the NEL ones

http://www.flickr.com/photos/venusam...rites/?view=lg

The new comic series (Warlord of Mars) is also very good and pretty much captures how ERB describes the attire of Barsoom's inhabitants

Certainly agree with you regarding ERB's books. For short sharp, thoroughly enjoyable adventure reads, you can not go far wrong.

[fjtorres]

The green martian's missing the middle arms.

Here's Frazetta's SFBC cover:

http://www.tarzan.org/art/ffddpm.jpg

[too large - MODERATOR]

[fjtorres]

One of these centuries I'm going to have to look around to see if anybody has those jackets in poster form.
The combo Gods/Warlord jacket (Martian apes in trouble):

http://www.tarzan.org/art/ffgods.jpg

The Combo Thuvia/Chessmen jacket (nice lion):
http://www.tarzan.org/art/fftmm.jpg

Covers too large - MODERATOR]