“The Chessmen of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burroughs is the fifth book in the Barsoom series. After “Thuvia, Maid of Mars” was something of a disappointment, this installment may be the best of the series. As with the prior book, this one focuses on different characters than any of the earlier books in the series, this time the focus is John Carter’s daughter Tara, and Gahan, the Jed of Gathol. The story was originally published as a serial in “Argosy All-Story Weekly” in the February 18th, 25th, March 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th editions in 1922 before being published in book for in November of the same year.It is true that there are some issues with it. For one thing, the Prelude initially seems unnecessary and doesn’t quite fit with the book. The premise is that John Carter returns to Earth briefly to relate the tale, but when the story starts he is speaking from a perspective of Tara, not himself, and that is the case for most of the book. When one gets to the end, then having John Carter telling the tale makes a bit more sense, because it allows Burroughs to quickly tell what happens after the main action without a drawn out couple of chapters. The other issue is that it is a bit difficult to believe that Tara doesn’t recognize Gahan at their second meeting. While one can understand that it is important for the way the story is told, it doesn’t seem believable, and then it leads to issues with the narration referring to Gahan by the wrong name and position, even when it doesn’t make sense to do so. The reader knows that he is not a Pathan and that his name isn’t Turan, and it would have made sense to consistently refer to him with the proper name and rank when it is from another character’s perspective, rather than the general narration.Those problems are minor though, as the story is very enjoyable, and the new characters add a lot to the series. Ghek is a member of a rather horrifying race (the Kaldane), but when he becomes an ally it adds a great deal to the story. The city of Manator likewise is very inventive with its social behavior, and of course we have the use of the game of Jetan, which is much like chess which plays an important role in the story. The story is so entertaining, that one hardly notices that one of the major plot devices, that Tara is promised to another but is falling for Gahan/Turan is rather similar to the one used in “Thuvia, Maid of Mars”.One of the reasons I feel that this book is probably the best of the series thus far is that unlike John Carter in the first three books, the major characters in this book are much more vulnerable. Carter always seemed invincible, as he could fight countless foes hour after hour. While it is true that Gahan faces one foe for a long period in this book, it is the same one who would also be suffering the ill-effects of a prolonged combat. Of course, one cannot deny that this book does not stand on its own, and that you need to read at least the “Princess of Mars” before it, and better yet all of the prior books, and so one can understand why others may feel that it is those books are more important to the series, but I don’t think this one is behind any of the previous ones when it comes to the entertaining storyline.
Depending on my mood, this is either my favorite or second favorite of the Barsoom books. As with my other favorite, 'A Fighting Man of Mars', the hero of the story isn't that veritable demigod Virginian, John Carter, but a native Martian - in this case Gahan the Jed (or King) of Gathol - a small but very prosperous city state. The story concerns Gahan's attempts to woo the young daughter of John Carter, Tara, who rebuffs Gahan because he does not seem to her to be modest, rugged, and martial enough in his bearing. Naturally, Gahan very quickly finds opportunity to prove his manly virtues, when Tara finds herself in mortal danger and far from any other aid. The long series of adventures that ensue reveal hidden kingdoms, lost races, and ultimately culminate in a stunning game of living chess. This is 'Barsoom' at its best - predictable in outline but delightful in its twists and execution.'Chessmen' is one of the longer Barsoom stories and it benefits from the length, but it’s still easily consumed in a long afternoon. It is excellent reading material if you have the flu or otherwise must stay in bed or can. And I doubt that there is anyone out there who first read this story as a boy and didn't build a Martian chess set of some sort.Anyone care for a game of Jetan?
What do You think about The Chessmen Of Mars (2005)?
On one hand, I'm relieved that Burroughs was willing to at least advance the story by focusing on the slightly more interesting next generation. On the other, the plot falls squarely into the well-grooved tire tracks of the previous books: the protagonists are lost far from home and fall into various perilous lost cities and civilizations.I did like that Tara of Helium was at some level the main character, which puts her in a more dynamic position than Dejah Thoris had been, and at some level she and her love interest, Gahan of Gathol are on a more equal footing in terms of involvement in the story. Together they're more vulnerable and inexperienced than John Carter and this lends more peril to the enterprise.I can't get enough of the antiquated feel of the language, the rigid formality of their speech and mannerisms that simultaneously suggest an alien culture and a throwback to ancient legends. It combines with the high drama to make it sound like a bardic lay or translated Greek myth (but without all the tragedy).I'm curious about what sort of transformations have been done to this genre: what if the protagonist isn't the best fighter, but is the smartest? What if he didn't buy into the rigid honor code, or if she didn't abide by the accustomed gender roles?
—Derek
In which John Carter has only a bit part. His daughter Tara -- newly introduced for the work -- has center stage, as does the jeddak of Gathol, Gahan, who meets her af her father's house -- and doesn't impress her.Also, the man her father wants her to marry does not get her for a dance, because he had asked another woman first. Between the two of them, she goes flying to relieve her spirits, and gets caught in a windstorm.Gahan goes to help with the search, gets torn from his ship, and through a combination of flukes, ends up near her. When she is captured by strange beings, he realizes it and goes to aid her. And the adventures go on from there. It involves the beauty of song, a stepfather who is more concerned by his stepson than his own father, accusations of witchcraft -- the Corphals of Mars -- and the belief that only a jeddak can kill one, the title game played as a gladiator's game, an old man who admires courage, stealing a dagger, and much more
—Mary Catelli
Tara of Helium had a little more to do than most of Burroughs' ladies, but about halfway through the book she basically vanishes from the plot and becomes the Macguffin in constant need of rescuing. The adventure was good, and I shouldn't complain too loudly, given when the book was written, but it would have been cool to see the heroine front and center through the whole thing (especially since Gahan of Gathol was kind of a derp who just flailed around waiting for everybody else to tell him where his lady was being held this time).
—Kat
