Will’s review of A Princess of Mars (Barsoom, #1) > Likes and Comments
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Sounds like a pleasant journey down the memory lanes of Mars.
Every time I think I should write a book I read something that reminds me I just don't have the skills. This review of yours is one such piece of writing. I don't know what you do for a living, but if you're not a writer, you should be.
I too have great memories of opening packages of books as a kid. Loved the smell, the feel and the escape or knowledge they offered.
Will, what an absolutely wonderful review and of course I've just purchased the book. Got it for nothing on Amazon.fr with Kindle. Amazing value!
Thanks, Lynne. Barsoom holds a special place in my heart, and I actually liked the film.
Will:
How did I miss this? Such fun to read. I laughed more than a couple of times. You're just plain funny, friend.
I agree with Mike (#4) that you should be writing.
Oh boy. That's a very tough question. Consider that I read these things over forty years ago, and only re-read this one and Gods recently. It often seems that the first book in a series holds a special place because that is where we meet our new literary friends for the first time. If you have not yet read Barsoom, I would definitely begin with Princess. It has been so long since reading the others that I no longer feel qualified to offer an informed opinion.
I'm glad that someone as well-read as you enjoy voyaging to Barsoom as much as I do! An excellent, insightful review!
I had read this book long ago.After reading your review I think I should reread it..!!
Thanks, Forrest and Reshal. Despite some archaic elements, aPoM is pretty interesting. I have read, BTW, that Disney's rights to JC have expired, so there is at least some hope that someone else might have a go at making films of these tales eventually.
Are your books fake or really
love this book more than life itself. I've even read up to book five or six I think.....Murf
I read them all, or at least almost all, as a kid, but only the first two recently.
It's not my type of genre, but enjoyed your review, Will. So informative and interesting!
Some years back David Bowie asked the musical question, "Is there life on Mars?"
The answer would also be yes if one ate a Mars bar, as the Undertones song "Mars Bar" suggests (and also comments on wanting to kill (jokingly) Bowie for questioning the bar's power of life *lol*). :)
Very entertaining review and not exactly what I was expecting from you today.
it sound like down the memory lanes of mars! maybe there is life...
Deborah Butler Bailey wrote: "Are your books fake or really"
I am not certain what you mean, DBB. If you are referring to items mentioned in the review, all the books I listed are indeed real, although I cannot say if they are all still in print.
Such a fun review, W! The only books of Edgar Rice Burroughs I read in my youth were the Tarzan of the Apes books. I do not think any of his sf books were ever translated in Dutch. I do not recall having seen them. Would have undoubtedly loved them! I was crazy about those Tarzan books though, wanted to join him in the jungle, swinging from tree to tree! I still have those books, small bound books in linen covers.They were translated in really weird archaic Dutch which only enhanced that mysterious world for me.
Thanks, H. What a strange experience that must have been, reading Tarzan through such an odd lens. I guess it all worked though. If you like this sort of thing. H. Rider Haggard wrote a few you might enjoy.
I have so many books to read, I doubt if I would ever read these sort of books again. I was around 11 or 12 years old when I loved those Tarzan books. I might still read "She' by H. Rider Haggard which has been on my shelves forever. That might be a really strange book that I could enjoy reading. Or 'The Princess of Mars' of course, would have to order that book from the States, I assume.
I know what you mean. It is why I stopped at re-reading at number two in the Barsoom series. While I enjoyed them as a kid, and still enjoy them, I read other things these days. I am sure APoM can be had for Kindle, but I do not know if it is readily available in print. I included a link in the review to Gutenberg, where you can read it for free on line. In English of course. I do not know if it is available in Dutch.
Thanks, W, for that tip. I'll get that book from Gutenberg. I'll read it in English. I do not read books in Dutch when they are originally in English. I only read books in Dutch when they are written in Dutch and Dutch translations from French, German, Italian and Spanish books which are too hard for me to read in the original. I could do German, but it would be not my preference.
Under the Moons of Mars, I read twice and many others of the series ( a great title for 1912) and the other title, A Princess of Mars, just as good, wonderful review, and makes me want to read it again... Will. The film was disappointing, bad script, directing, and actors... Oh well.
Thanks, Henry. While I thought the film would have been well served to stick a bit more to the original material, I recognize that I am very much in the minority in thinking that it was actually not bad.
What fun, Will. I also fell in love in the 60s. With the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. I was fortunate to have a wonderful Uncle. Woodrow Gaskin Burke. He had fallen in love with Burroughs as the novels were originally published. Recognizing my love of reading, Uncle Woody would always have a few Burroughs stacked up on top of his chest of drawers when I came to visit. Over the span of a few years I traveled through Africa with Tarzan, Mars with John Carter, and journeyed to The Land That Time Forgot, and The People That Time Forgot. Perhaps it was the world of Pellucidar that captured my imagination the most. Your review brings alive many glad memories for me. It's time I returned to more than one of these worlds, thanks to your leading me to reminisce.
Lets not forget the Amtor (Venus) series. What luck for you to have had such a source. Many of the books are available on Gutenberg, so if you feel a need to scratch that itch, it should be possible to do it cost free. Of course, there is nothing quite like holding the books themselves, but we do what we must.
Will and Lawyer, I got The Princess of Mars on Gutenberg and there is plenty more of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Reading Lawyer's post, it is so nice to see that we all loved to read Burroughs when we were finished with the children's books and moved on to adventure stories!
Sometimes the children's books do not find us as kids. I read the Mary Poppins books when my kids were small, (and I was not) and found them quite lovely.
I never read Mary Poppins either. I loved The Five series of Enid Blyton. Would read them again and again. Then on to the Winnetou books of Karl May and the Tarzan books of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Were the Karl May books popular in the States? Perhaps not, as they were just an idealized German version of the Wild West. So funny that Karl May never even set a foot on American soil and wrote dozens of books about cowboys and indians!
I do not know the Karl May books, but there may be others who have.
ERB never set foot on Mars, Venus or Pellucidar, yet managed to come with tales for each. I expect May learned what he could and just made up the rest.
Yes, of course, you entirely right. Interesting to learn that Karl May was unknown in the States. His books were tremendously popular in Germany and here in Holland as well. Everybody grew up with Karl May books. So you see, there is definitely a difference what kids were reading in Europe or the States. We never had much science fiction books either in Europe. I would have loved them!
Oh, Will, I loved this review beyond words. It made me recall all those days ago thumbing through paperback books at the newstand / bookstore. I'm buying this for a certain soon-to-be-nine year old boy.
loved this review beyond words
Apparently not, but thanks anyway. That lucky boy is in for a real treat.
When my mother passed away in the late 90s, I inherited a box of 56 Edgar Rice Burroughs paperbacks. These were Ace and Ballantine versions, mostly published in the early 60s with a typical cover price of 50 cents. Some of these I read while in high school, but most of the paperbacks are in pristine condition. Well, except for some that my twin sister wrote her name in... how dare she!! I did offer them back to her but she did not take the bait, so they are all mine...forever and ever. I also have two original edition Tarzan hard covers, but in average to poor condition. After reading your reviews I think it is about time I return to the jungles of Tarzan, to the Earth's Core, John Carter's Mars and all those wondrous places that Burroughs created.
Sounds like we have many of the same Ace and Ballantine books. Pretty cool that yours are in decent shape. Enjoy your trip. We will be expecting postcards.
Karishma wrote: "Btw I messaged you some days ago."
A reply is on its way.
Karishma wrote: "Great review. Haven't read this one yet."
Thanks, Karishma
Snickers wrote: "Fantastic review!"
Thanks, Snickers
I love all the offensive stuff. So tired of everything being so PC, which is trending and tending to make fiction too self-conscious, boring and homogenized. And F anybody who wants to argue with me on that. Nice review ('cept the part bout callin my faves idjits -- shame on you, brutha Will!).
Michael Fierce wrote: "I love all the offensive stuff. So tired of everything being so PC, which is trending and tending to make fiction too self-conscious, boring and homogenized. And F anybody who wants to argue with m..."
Michael, Michael, Michael. How quickly they forget. That ref was not a put-down but a form of praise.
Will wrote: "Michael Fierce wrote: "I love all the offensive stuff. So tired of everything being so PC, which is trending and tending to make fiction too self-conscious, boring and homogenized. And F anybody wh..."
I knew that but I still cn't look at all my heroes in the same sentence as idiots! It's too painful! :D
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Apr 10, 2012 09:24AM
Sounds like a pleasant journey down the memory lanes of Mars.
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Every time I think I should write a book I read something that reminds me I just don't have the skills. This review of yours is one such piece of writing. I don't know what you do for a living, but if you're not a writer, you should be. I too have great memories of opening packages of books as a kid. Loved the smell, the feel and the escape or knowledge they offered.
Will, what an absolutely wonderful review and of course I've just purchased the book. Got it for nothing on Amazon.fr with Kindle. Amazing value!
Thanks, Lynne. Barsoom holds a special place in my heart, and I actually liked the film.
Will:How did I miss this? Such fun to read. I laughed more than a couple of times. You're just plain funny, friend.
I agree with Mike (#4) that you should be writing.
Oh boy. That's a very tough question. Consider that I read these things over forty years ago, and only re-read this one and Gods recently. It often seems that the first book in a series holds a special place because that is where we meet our new literary friends for the first time. If you have not yet read Barsoom, I would definitely begin with Princess. It has been so long since reading the others that I no longer feel qualified to offer an informed opinion.
I'm glad that someone as well-read as you enjoy voyaging to Barsoom as much as I do! An excellent, insightful review!
I had read this book long ago.After reading your review I think I should reread it..!!
Thanks, Forrest and Reshal. Despite some archaic elements, aPoM is pretty interesting. I have read, BTW, that Disney's rights to JC have expired, so there is at least some hope that someone else might have a go at making films of these tales eventually.
Are your books fake or really
love this book more than life itself. I've even read up to book five or six I think.....Murf
I read them all, or at least almost all, as a kid, but only the first two recently.
It's not my type of genre, but enjoyed your review, Will. So informative and interesting!
Some years back David Bowie asked the musical question, "Is there life on Mars?"The answer would also be yes if one ate a Mars bar, as the Undertones song "Mars Bar" suggests (and also comments on wanting to kill (jokingly) Bowie for questioning the bar's power of life *lol*). :)
Very entertaining review and not exactly what I was expecting from you today.
it sound like down the memory lanes of mars! maybe there is life...
Deborah Butler Bailey wrote: "Are your books fake or really"I am not certain what you mean, DBB. If you are referring to items mentioned in the review, all the books I listed are indeed real, although I cannot say if they are all still in print.
Such a fun review, W! The only books of Edgar Rice Burroughs I read in my youth were the Tarzan of the Apes books. I do not think any of his sf books were ever translated in Dutch. I do not recall having seen them. Would have undoubtedly loved them! I was crazy about those Tarzan books though, wanted to join him in the jungle, swinging from tree to tree! I still have those books, small bound books in linen covers.They were translated in really weird archaic Dutch which only enhanced that mysterious world for me.
Thanks, H. What a strange experience that must have been, reading Tarzan through such an odd lens. I guess it all worked though. If you like this sort of thing. H. Rider Haggard wrote a few you might enjoy.
I have so many books to read, I doubt if I would ever read these sort of books again. I was around 11 or 12 years old when I loved those Tarzan books. I might still read "She' by H. Rider Haggard which has been on my shelves forever. That might be a really strange book that I could enjoy reading. Or 'The Princess of Mars' of course, would have to order that book from the States, I assume.
I know what you mean. It is why I stopped at re-reading at number two in the Barsoom series. While I enjoyed them as a kid, and still enjoy them, I read other things these days. I am sure APoM can be had for Kindle, but I do not know if it is readily available in print. I included a link in the review to Gutenberg, where you can read it for free on line. In English of course. I do not know if it is available in Dutch.
Thanks, W, for that tip. I'll get that book from Gutenberg. I'll read it in English. I do not read books in Dutch when they are originally in English. I only read books in Dutch when they are written in Dutch and Dutch translations from French, German, Italian and Spanish books which are too hard for me to read in the original. I could do German, but it would be not my preference.
Under the Moons of Mars, I read twice and many others of the series ( a great title for 1912) and the other title, A Princess of Mars, just as good, wonderful review, and makes me want to read it again... Will. The film was disappointing, bad script, directing, and actors... Oh well.
Thanks, Henry. While I thought the film would have been well served to stick a bit more to the original material, I recognize that I am very much in the minority in thinking that it was actually not bad.
What fun, Will. I also fell in love in the 60s. With the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs. I was fortunate to have a wonderful Uncle. Woodrow Gaskin Burke. He had fallen in love with Burroughs as the novels were originally published. Recognizing my love of reading, Uncle Woody would always have a few Burroughs stacked up on top of his chest of drawers when I came to visit. Over the span of a few years I traveled through Africa with Tarzan, Mars with John Carter, and journeyed to The Land That Time Forgot, and The People That Time Forgot. Perhaps it was the world of Pellucidar that captured my imagination the most. Your review brings alive many glad memories for me. It's time I returned to more than one of these worlds, thanks to your leading me to reminisce.
Lets not forget the Amtor (Venus) series. What luck for you to have had such a source. Many of the books are available on Gutenberg, so if you feel a need to scratch that itch, it should be possible to do it cost free. Of course, there is nothing quite like holding the books themselves, but we do what we must.
Will and Lawyer, I got The Princess of Mars on Gutenberg and there is plenty more of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Reading Lawyer's post, it is so nice to see that we all loved to read Burroughs when we were finished with the children's books and moved on to adventure stories!
Sometimes the children's books do not find us as kids. I read the Mary Poppins books when my kids were small, (and I was not) and found them quite lovely.
I never read Mary Poppins either. I loved The Five series of Enid Blyton. Would read them again and again. Then on to the Winnetou books of Karl May and the Tarzan books of Edgar Rice Burroughs. Were the Karl May books popular in the States? Perhaps not, as they were just an idealized German version of the Wild West. So funny that Karl May never even set a foot on American soil and wrote dozens of books about cowboys and indians!
I do not know the Karl May books, but there may be others who have. ERB never set foot on Mars, Venus or Pellucidar, yet managed to come with tales for each. I expect May learned what he could and just made up the rest.
Yes, of course, you entirely right. Interesting to learn that Karl May was unknown in the States. His books were tremendously popular in Germany and here in Holland as well. Everybody grew up with Karl May books. So you see, there is definitely a difference what kids were reading in Europe or the States. We never had much science fiction books either in Europe. I would have loved them!
Oh, Will, I loved this review beyond words. It made me recall all those days ago thumbing through paperback books at the newstand / bookstore. I'm buying this for a certain soon-to-be-nine year old boy.
loved this review beyond wordsApparently not, but thanks anyway. That lucky boy is in for a real treat.
When my mother passed away in the late 90s, I inherited a box of 56 Edgar Rice Burroughs paperbacks. These were Ace and Ballantine versions, mostly published in the early 60s with a typical cover price of 50 cents. Some of these I read while in high school, but most of the paperbacks are in pristine condition. Well, except for some that my twin sister wrote her name in... how dare she!! I did offer them back to her but she did not take the bait, so they are all mine...forever and ever. I also have two original edition Tarzan hard covers, but in average to poor condition. After reading your reviews I think it is about time I return to the jungles of Tarzan, to the Earth's Core, John Carter's Mars and all those wondrous places that Burroughs created.
Sounds like we have many of the same Ace and Ballantine books. Pretty cool that yours are in decent shape. Enjoy your trip. We will be expecting postcards.
Karishma wrote: "Btw I messaged you some days ago."A reply is on its way.
Karishma wrote: "Great review. Haven't read this one yet."Thanks, Karishma
Snickers wrote: "Fantastic review!"Thanks, Snickers
I love all the offensive stuff. So tired of everything being so PC, which is trending and tending to make fiction too self-conscious, boring and homogenized. And F anybody who wants to argue with me on that. Nice review ('cept the part bout callin my faves idjits -- shame on you, brutha Will!).
Michael Fierce wrote: "I love all the offensive stuff. So tired of everything being so PC, which is trending and tending to make fiction too self-conscious, boring and homogenized. And F anybody who wants to argue with m..."Michael, Michael, Michael. How quickly they forget. That ref was not a put-down but a form of praise.
Will wrote: "Michael Fierce wrote: "I love all the offensive stuff. So tired of everything being so PC, which is trending and tending to make fiction too self-conscious, boring and homogenized. And F anybody wh..."I knew that but I still cn't look at all my heroes in the same sentence as idiots! It's too painful! :D
