John Carter in 'A Princess of Mars'

Barsoom Series, Book 1

By: Edgar Rice Burroughs

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's Summary

Civil War veteran John Carter is transported to a dying planet, where he must elude capture by giant green barbarians to rescue a Martian princess from certain doom. In this landmark of science fiction, the myths and mystery of the red planet supply a vibrant backdrop for a swashbuckling epic.

Published in 1911, A Princess of Mars introduced a popular series of novels recounting John Carter's Martian exploits. Author Edgar Rice Burroughs, best known as the creator of Tarzan, employed a new style of writing that combined the genres of fantasy, adventure, and science fiction. His imaginative setting - an advanced but decaying civilization in which Olympian heroics play out against malevolent forces and ever-changing fortunes - endures as a timeless world, in which love, honor, and loyalty form the basis for fast-paced romantic adventures.

Public Domain (P)2012 Tantor

Princess of Mars, Swords & Planets HIGH Adventure!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. Excellent story (but I'm biased, my favorite author and favorite novel) supported by a great narrator.

What other book might you compare John Carter in 'A Princess of Mars' to and why?

It's a typical Swords and Planets story. Maybe a bit of the Lord of the Rings for those not familiar with this genre. A highly detailed planet, cultures, and creatures…machines and weapons. Others in the series are Gods of Mars, Warlord of Mars…the first three in the series are a good solid story arc. Then you can decide from there if you wish to push on through all eleven (though I believe only the first five, those in the public domain, are available in audiobook).

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've listened to a few others' by Scott Brick, the Robert Langdon series (The Da Vinci Code). This is equivalent in quality. Frankly, I'm a bit disappointed Scott Brick has not done more in the series, to date. The other narrators currently available for Gods of Mars and on, seem hidebound to make John Carter's accent Southern. Yes, in the novel he is a Southern gentlemen…but I don't necessarily need the added touch. Unless it's read by a 'true' Southerner. That accent to my ears is not so easily adopted without sounding a bit off.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I read this from childhood. Given by my Grandfather to my Mother, and from her to me. How can one not get misty when Woola (a large frog-dog-like creature) and John Carter choose 'each other' as life long companions?

Any additional comments?

It's clear who the good guys are, who the bad guys are, the hero always wins, the heroine is always saved in the nick of time, the villain is 'eventually' defeated after many scrapes, trials, and quests. If you want crime, rape, drama, and current events…try something else :-) …oh, and go see the movie :-D

Nothing like the movie

for those of you unfamiliar with this character let me assure you that the movie will do very little to enthrall your enthusiasm, the movie was OK, but it was nothing like the books. "The Princess of Mars" began the story of John Carter, and like most of Edgar Rice Burroughs books it is an adventure wrapped in a love story. All of ERBs leading men were heroic and strong of body and mind, and morale conviction; flawed of course, but always a step or two above average in prowess and intellect. John Carter truly was earth's first super alien, he could leap tall buildings with a single bound, fight until the bodies of his enemies lie shoulder high around him, for upon Mars his earthly sinew and mass aloud for feats of extraordinary strength and agility: 26 years before Jerome "Jerry" Siegel and Joseph "Joe" Shuster created Superman. The book is over a hundred years old and worth the read, ERB created a world and a civilization to call it home...read the books, and if you see the movie then you will know what could have been.

Worth a listen.

I saw the movie and thought I would like to listen to the book too. I think the amazing thing about this sci-fi book is that it was written in 1917. Story is a little different from the movie, so it is interesting and surprising in its own right.

A great dive into true pulp fiction.

What did you love best about John Carter in 'A Princess of Mars'?

This is no earth-shattering, life-changing experience, but if you can allow yourself to suspend disbelief and just enjoy the story, it's a fun book. I love that it makes no attempt whatsoever to explain how any of the things in the book is possible, it just thunders ahead like old hero tales.

Would you recommend John Carter in 'A Princess of Mars' to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, I would. I have.

Which character – as performed by Scott Brick – was your favorite?

I've listened to a couple of different actors perform the John Carter books, and I like Brick's approach. His voice and manner fit the John Carter character and his first person narration really well.

Read it a half dozen times- over the last 40 years

John Carter is a great story, excellent plot, draws the reader in, etc.

Hopefully, the movie version has updated the writing and dialogue. I think it was written in 1912, in a more formal and unusual version of American English.

Think of a black & white Errol Flynn movie, a swashbuckler with sword fights. All of the characters sound sort of vaguely English. right?

It takes 5 or 10 minutes to adjust and then you're totally into it.

I loved the book, it's a good story - even if Science Fiction isn't what you'd normally read.

Wet Saturday Treat

I grew up reading Edgar Rice Burroughs at the suggestion of my grandfather. I well remember the wet Saturday afternoons spent lying on my bedroom floor reading of the exploits of John Cater. Not long after that, I recall the stories were serialised in one of the Boys' Own type magazines that used to be our substitute for the Nintendos, X-Boxes and PSs. I think it was Look and Learn, but I can't be sure. I remember the big green men with many arms, fierce and warlike and the scantily clad heroines. I loved it! Listening to this was like reliving my childhood and early adolescence. To that extent, perhaps I have overrated overall, but I think the other ratings are fair.
The opening of the movie (which has prompted the change of name for this edition - it was always "A Princess of Mars" to me - encouraged me to re-visit this novel. The movie was better than I had expected and closely resembled the drawings in the serialised version I have alluded to above. However, having recently burst the bubble on another science fiction classic of my youth ("The Mote in God's Eye"), I approached the read with some nervousness. This increased early on because I found Scott Brick's narration a bit wooden, but as he seemed to delve into the story, he and it came alive. Still, it remained a narration rather than a performance, but given the storyline (where John Carter looks back on decades of his life), narration was not out of place. I thought the princess might have been better rendered, but overall I was well satisfied by the rendering of the text.
It's well worth the read for those who enjoy high adventure of the swashbuckling variety, but be warned that it was not written for modern gender or PC sensibilities in mind. I expect I will read the next episode in the not too distant future.

A great reader for great book

This is one of my favorite books. I am so glad this new reading has been released with the exceptional narrating ability of Scott Brick. This listening experience is so much better than the listening torture of previous narrattors. I have listen to Mr. Brick's version twice already.

EXCELLENT STORY!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

It depends on my friends likes in books. If he likes fantasy...an absolute, "YES"!

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Scott Brick seems to know the characters, and understand the story. He is very clear when reading, and does not overemphasize the men's or women's voices. I am usually running with headsets when listening to my Audible Books (using outer-ear headsets - Polk UltraFit 2000's), and I never had a problem understanding his pronunciation of words, names, or places. But after finishing the first 3 books of this Barsoom series (read by Scott Brick), I am starting "Thuvia, Maid of Mars," and I noticed that he is not narrating any more of the series. For the 4th book I initially went with John Bolen...and he was absolutely horrible. It is going to be hard to listen to the other books with a different narrator, as Scott Brick was awesome!

Any additional comments?

I grew-up reading these books. I am 48 years old now, and to be able to re-read them while running is fantastic. It took me back to my teenage years. Absolutely love the stories, the characters, the wildlife of Mars, and I am picking-up little parts that I did not remember from before. This first book is incredible. ERB was a man ahead of his time.

Scott Brick makes it a pleasure to listen!

I have listened to this story twice by two different narrators. Scott Brick makes it a pleasure to listen to and enjoy!

The story is obviously different than the movie but based upon this book but it is no less enjoyable either way if you discard the expectation that the movie was anything like the book other than a few characters with the same names. I think the book is actually better than the movie. However the movie gave me interesting visuals as I listened to this story for the second time and constructed the scenes in my mind.

If you like Science Fiction you need to listen to this story!

great early science fiction

Burroughs is one of the very early science fiction writers of the 20th century. Published in serial form in 1912 it is an example of the forward looking thinking of that generation. A love story, a military thriller, a technology review. It incorporates some of the then current thinking about Mars and a futuristic vision extrapolated from that thinking. All wrapped up in a good, what we would now call, space opera format. Well worth the reading and certainly well worth the listening.

A classic for a reason!

A brilliantly gripping story. Ridiculously believable, well written and the Scott Brick does really well with the performance of a "Gentleman of Virginia". A wonderful melding of historic character traits and syfy.

An enjoyable 'Listen'

A highly enjoyable book. Totally different from the film but so much better! I went on to listen to the rest of the series. Highly recommended :o)

Great old fashioned Sci fi

I saw the movie that was based on this book a while back and despite the critics panning it I really quite enjoyed it so thought I would give the audio book a go. Very enjoyable listen and I really enjoyed the readers voice. Looking forward to seeing how the story progresses 8n the next book.

sci-fi at its earliest

an interesting tale well told awaiting the reading of the next
book with eagsr anticipation

John Carter in a princess of mars

a good adventure and action book
a book for all ages to listen and think why are there