REVIEW SUMMARY: A long-overdue read of a science fiction classic
that was every bit as enjoyable as I’d hoped it’d be.   BRIEF
SYNOPSIS: Adventurer John Carter becomes trapped on Mars, proves
his mettle through his superior fighting skills and tries to
free (and win the heart of) Dejah Thoris, Princess of Helium.
PROS: Story moves along quickly; imaginative; easily
identifiable and likable characters. CONS: Some plot points will
threaten suspension of disbelief for some. BOTTOM LINE: A wholly
enjoyable pulp adventure that became the template for the
planetary adventure story.  Much to my embarrassment, I have to
admit only recently have I read Edgar Rice Burroughs’ science
fiction classic A Princess of Mars. Even if the impending
Hollywood adaption John Carter of Mars turns out to be
worthless, I can at least give it credit for prompting me to
repair this glaring deficiency in my science fiction reading.  A
Princess of Mars is the first-person narrative of Virginia
gentleman John Carter, an adventurer, to sa