So while I haven’t seen it yet, I’ve heard the new movie John Carter, based on the Barsoom series by Edgar Rice Burroughs, fails to live up to the high standards of the early science fiction books. While it certainly isn’t surprising, it never ceases to be disappointing when Hollywood manages to bleed out the most charming, interesting and moving parts of a novel when they adapt it for the big screen.
It’s easy to see why people like Burroughs’ blend of Space Opera and pulpy action. A colorfully-written world full of hidden dangers and mesmerizing wonders is really the core appeal of all of Burroughs’ work, from Tarzan to Land of Terror. However, the Barsoom series isn’t even the best of its kind, I tell you! In fact, science fiction is full of lesser known action and adventure titles from the Golden Age of science fiction (and beyond!) that expand upon the model of Burroughs’ series in interesting and unexpected ways. Here are some of my favorite Burroughs influenced books that you will love, whether you liked the movie or not.
To the Galactic Rim by A. Chandler Bertram
A. Chandler Bertram’s space adventures are often described as Horatio Hornblower in space, which pretty much sums up the joy of his work. Bertram himself was a merchant marine, and his stories burst with the fast-paced antics of 19th century naval fiction. It really is a treat to read about Space Captain John Grimes and his salty crew of space marines exploring the unknown and running into trouble more often than not.
Beast Master’s Planet by Andre Norton
Andre Norton is probably one of the most underrated of all science fiction writers. She was fully adept at writing everything from complex Space Operas to action-filled fantasies and had a real knack for characterization (both human and cat), but her popularity has never reached the levels of a Heinlein or an Asimov.
I challenge anyone to read one of the Beast Master series books and not completely fall in love with an easily-digestible-but-oh-so-good brand of fantasy. A thrilling series starring science fiction’s best Navajo hero, Hosteen Storm, a refugee from the shattered Earth, seeks invading alien Xirks, using his wits and unique ability to communicate telepathically with animals.
Ralp 124C 41+ by Hugo Grensback
An optimistic and gentle book about the future of Earth in the year 2660. The world is a utopia and technology has solved all of the age old problems of mankind, making income inequality, hunger, and disease a distant memory. As a result, inventors and scientists are revered and held as the true leaders of the world. There is some nice pulpy action in there and a sweet romance, but the best part of this book is reading through all of the mind-boggling inventions Grensback dreams up.
The Van Rijn Method by Poul Anderson
A collection of short stories, novellas and novels in an omnibus edition, this is a great entry point into Anderson’s visionary and expansive Technic History universe. These stories follow capitalist extraordinaire Nicholas van Rijn as he attempts to fight, lie, swindle and cheat his way into riches, mostly by selling liquor. He is truly one of the most distinct and fun pulp heroes ever written, even though he may not be the most moral.
Alliance Space by CJ Cherryh
Cherryh is one of those writers that effortlessly shows how complex and mind-altering science fiction can be, but never at the expense of compelling plots and characters. While she is best known for her Foreigner series about first contact, her Alliance-Union universe novels are so rich in imagination reading her books becomes a wholly immersive experience. The plot of this gritty novel is too complex and layered for me to do justice here, so I’ll just say if you have never read a Space Opera before, and you like accessible yet cerebral writing, this is where you should start.
Leave a Comment