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Pellucidar #2-3

Edgar Rice Burroughs Science Fiction Classics (Barsoom #4-6)

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1 Pellucidar - David Innes narrates return under Earth for Dian
2 Thuvia-Maid of Mars - Carthoris chases kidnapper Astok of Dusar
3 Tanar of Pellucidar - Tanar falls for Korsar captor Stellara
4 The Chessman of Mars - Helium Princess Tara caught by headless
5 The Master Mind of Mars - Ulysses Paxton narrates apprentice to brain transfer expert Ras Thavas
Illustrated B&W.

451 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

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About the author

Edgar Rice Burroughs

2,921 books2,740 followers
Edgar Rice Burroughs was an American author, best known for his creation of the jungle hero Tarzan and the heroic John Carter, although he produced works in many genres.

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
Profile Image for James Mourgos.
300 reviews22 followers
January 9, 2010
In the 1980s Castle Books put together a simple anthology of Edgar Rice Burroughs tales that are set from the deepest core of Earth to the plains and deserts of Mars. I think the purpose of the book is to give an overview of the breadth of Burroughs because these are certainly not his best tales.

Rather than A Princess of Mars which I think is his best work in the Mars series, we are shown Thuvia, Maid of Mars and The Chessmen of Mars. These two tales are pretty good but unless you've been reading the earlier books I don't think they really stand that well on their own.

John Carter returns to Earth and gives his grandson some stories that he writes down for the reader. The people of Lothar, the evil Chessmen (damn that Bobby Fisher, joking), and other harrowing tales.

Typical pulp formula: the hero falls in love with the unavailable woman who doesn't even know he's alive. The girl is kidnapped, the boy rescues her, they go through various dangerous experiences, the end. But Burroughs' writing is such a page-turner, they're awesome (to use an overused word).

The Pellucidar series is interesting as well. Rich with detail of intelligent lizards, ancestors of pirates and cavemen, and David Innes' attempts to civilize them. The stories reflect Burroughs' apparent anti-war sentiment in my mind.

The occasional drawings are harsh pencil sketches which depict certain scenes. They're not bad artistic renditions, but the artist is uncredited, unless you can read the scrawl at the bottom of the sketch. He/she is no Frank Frazetta, however.

The book itself has a small font and is formed in the pulp fiction style of two columns each page. This is just like the old Forties' pulp magazines popular during Burroughs' time.

So if you want a taste of what Burroughs' scifi fiction was like or want something different than the jungle fiction of Tarzan of the Apes, then pick up this book. There are better anthologies however.


Profile Image for Anne Patkau.
3,721 reviews69 followers
January 4, 2015
Stories get progressively more exciting and unusual. Final is unbelievable, because we cannot yet transfer brains. Shaded B & W illustrations are centered smaller on page. Animals show resemblance to Stone Age woolly mammoth, saber-tooth tiger. Humans fiercely attack.

1 Pellucidar - see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2 Thuvia-Maid of Mars - see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

3 Tanar of Pellucidar - see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

4 The Chessman of Mars - see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

5 The Master Mind of Mars - see https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

6 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2010
These classic Science Fictions stories are each linked by one feature, they all entertain the reader, if it be in subterranean Earth or on Mars. All of my years of youth, these were the stories that delighted me. Even today I can still enjoy them. Highly recommend these for younger readers.
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