andrewspink's review against another edition
1.0
Science fiction is of course not really about the future but about contemporary society. This book, written 100 years ago is clearly about colonialism. The fascinating and somewhat horrifying thing is that this is a novel glorifying colonialism, presenting it as something necessary and good for.the "savages" (a recurring word in the book). The outsiders with their guns and their ships are clearly destined to dominate and subdue them and this is a Good Thing.
It is not a good idea to judge the morals of one era by those of another. Neverthless this is close enough to our own time that we know there were enough alternative voices at the time who were also clear about colonialism's evils that that a bit of judgementalism isn't such a bad idea here. Who to side with, Rhodes or Ghandi?
It is not a good idea to judge the morals of one era by those of another. Neverthless this is close enough to our own time that we know there were enough alternative voices at the time who were also clear about colonialism's evils that that a bit of judgementalism isn't such a bad idea here. Who to side with, Rhodes or Ghandi?
catra121's review against another edition
4.0
Another solid book from Edgar Rice Burroughs. I really enjoy these books and the idea of another world at the center of this one is so fun.
bertturtel's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun series by ERB! Librovox has a wonderful narration of this book.
bertturtel's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun series by ERB! Librovox has a wonderful narration of this book.
leirben's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Misogyny
lesa_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
thomasroche's review against another edition
3.0
Really not sure about this one. I'm pretty lukewarm on Burroughs much of the time, and on this one I'm more luke than warm. I love Hollow Earth stuff but here it's just all kind of dull and blockheaded. It feels like more of the same, after reading some of the Mars books and other Burroughs works.
My biggest problem with Burroughs, though, is that it's all tell-don't-show. I don't mind it that much some of the time, but when the telling is his weird wonky worldbuilding stuff that doesn't really make any sense, it kinda leaves me cold.
I love it for history's sake, but I'm left rolling my eyes a lot.
My biggest problem with Burroughs, though, is that it's all tell-don't-show. I don't mind it that much some of the time, but when the telling is his weird wonky worldbuilding stuff that doesn't really make any sense, it kinda leaves me cold.
I love it for history's sake, but I'm left rolling my eyes a lot.
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