The story in one page
John Carter, a transplanted Virginian soldier of fortune, spends six months stalking the corridors of a subterranean temple to rescue his captured princess. His enemies include a jealous priest, a black-skinned dator, and a northern jeddak. Between fleeing caverns, hijacking fliers, and inciting a full-scale planetary revolution, Carter must navigate the lethal geography of the Martian arctic. Along the way, he maneuvers through the hierarchy of various Martian nations, eventually uniting disparate warriors for a final confrontation. The conflict concludes when Carter survives a rigged trial by his own allies, who promote him to the position of Warlord of Barsoom.
Who's who
- John Carter
Earthman turned Martian prince and master swordsman.
- Dejah Thoris
Princess of Helium held captive by rival factions.
- Matai Shang
Hekkador of the Holy Therns and primary antagonist.
- Thurid
A black dator who serves as a persistent adversary.
- Tars Tarkas
Green Martian chieftain and loyal ally to Carter.
What it's really about
- Diplomatic Warfare
- Alliance-building is as lethal as swordplay.
- Hostile Environment
- The landscape actively hinders or kills.
Why it's memorable
- Carter wiping his boots on a priest's ceremonial wig.
- A snarling beast dropped into a pit as a surprise.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
The judges deliver a mock verdict that ends his title of Prince but replaces it with the supreme military command of the entire planet. His wife is then carried in to join him as he assumes his new status.
For your book club
- The practical difficulty of navigating a dying planet.
- Why swords remain the standard despite having advanced airships.