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A Princess of Mars  By  cover art

A Princess of Mars

By: Edgar Rice Burroughs
Narrated by: John Bolen
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Editorial reviews

A century after its serial publication in a magazine, this novel has found new popularity with the film "John Carter." Narrator Scott Brick brings to the production a wealth of experience with science fiction tales that have long explicatory passages and many battles. As the first-person narrator to whom John Carter told his story, Brick recounts the adventures of the hero, who starts out as a prospector in Arizona. When John Carter is pursued by Apaches, he takes refuge in a cave, is overcome by a gas, and wakes up on Mars. Once there, he becomes one of the green Martian horde, falls in love with a princess, and hurls himself from one exploit to another. Brick's introspective delivery adds dimension to this popular example of interplanetary pulp fiction.

Publisher's summary

Ex-confederate army captain John Carter finds himself unwittingly transported to Mars, while fleeing Apache Indians. This new world is populated by a race of monstrous Martians, whose culture is based on the ability to fight for their race. Fortunately for John, the gravitational difference between Mars and Earth has endowed him with the strength that he will need for survival on this hostile planet. John Carter battles ferocious Martian creatures, but gains the respect and friendship of the Barsoomians. He also encounters the beautiful Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium, and earns her everlasting devotion.

The first in Burroughs' 11-volume series of the adventures of John Carter. The Mars series is a blend of sci-fi and romantic adventure - and The Princess of Mars was Burroughs' first published work.

©2000 Tantor Media Incorporated

What listeners say about A Princess of Mars

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A princess of a story

I read this series when I was twelve and very much enjoyed experiencing this story again. It is a fine production and the narrator fits the part perfectly. Escapism to a simple, romantic throwback story.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great story

I loved the books I have been able to hear so far. What I want to know is when will the rest of the series be available???

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Narration

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed the narrator. He lends a texture and richness to the character that did nothing but contribute to these, the very beginnings of space opera. I can't wait to hear the rest!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent.

Engrossing and fun. Space Opera at its best delivered with southern charm.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Got to agree about the reading

OK. I was really looking forward to this as a great example of escapist fiction, but that accent, and I use the word advisedly, gets in the way of everything. It attracts attention to itself and hides the action in the text. Long drawn out vowels at the worst possible time. I'm disappointed. I won't be getting the rest of the series - unless another version becomes available. Oh well! Such is the way things are in the audio world, I guess.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

An annoying triumph of form over substance.

Burrough's Mars novels may be my favorite escapist literature of all time. I was not prepared for a reading where the reader adopts a broad southern accent, I guess because John Carter is from Virginia. I would have much preferred a simple straightforward reading. The affected accent is very annoying and detracts from the enjoyment of the story.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A fake Southern Accent.

Mr. Bolen's attempt at a southern accent detracts greatly form this version of a Princess of Mars. After awhile it truly grates on the ears of a southerner born and bred.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

One of the first books I bought...

Here at Audible, I have to say it was a great story, but bad voice talent. It took me a week to get through a 6 hour book. I can't say how greatful I was when a new reading was released in conjunction with the forth coming movie. If you want to listen to this book buy the new version you will ultimintly have a better listening experience.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Full of wonder and surprise.

A lifelong science-fiction fan, I had never been exposed to the John Carter series until I downloaded this audiobook. Wow, what a beautiful surprise it was, and I immediately purchased all the other audiobooks available in the Carter series. Bolen's "southern gentleman" narration takes some getting used to at first but soon becomes addictive and even comforting.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

Good Book, Poor Reader

Don't get me wrong, I really liked this book when I read it on my own--but I found it pretty difficult to be engaged by the reader's poor performance. The way he acts out the voices of the Martians--and the women in particular--is almost embarassing to listen to. I wish somebody with the acting chops to pull off John Carter and the cast of characters had recorded this...instead of this Dolen guy.

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1 person found this helpful