Review: Tales of Adventure and Planetary Love
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 22, 2012
Let me begin by saying I am not an avid Sci-Fi reader. In fact, I normally don't read this genre. So why did I download THE ADVENTURES of "John Carter on Mars" - THE ORIGINAL FIVE STORIES? I'm not sure. Maybe because I had been reading H. Rider Haggard's "Allan Quatermain" series and saw a similarity between the stories about AQ and JC. Both are chock-full of adventure and nonstop action; take place in exotic locations: Africa and Mars; and both are easy to read while I jog on my treadmill. There are probably other reasons, but maybe they're of a subconscious nature.The storyline of "A Princess of Mars" (The first book in the series.) has already been mentioned, so I won't say too much more about it. Generally, though, it's a story about creatures who are always at war, the green Martians (ugly, very tall and unemotional) vs the red Martians (attractive, human-like and full of emotion).There is a lot of warring going on on the planet Barsoom/Mars with green Martians against red Martians and greens against other greens and reds battling other reds. Who, then, comes between them all and is captured at one time or another by both sides, wins some of their green and red hearts, is betrayed by green and red, imprisoned here and there, and ultimately...? None other than earth man John Carter, ex-captain in the CSA during the American Civil War, and unwitting traveler to this strange world. There is also a love story sandwiched in between the action and adventure segments. John Carter falls in love with the beautiful princess Dejah Thoris (red Martian) who is the reason for all of the above mentioned conflict.If you can really suspend disbelief and remember that this was written in 1911, then you will thoroughly enjoy reading this series. 4 Stars