The Outlaws of Mars

The Outlaws of Mars is a classic planetary romance novel first serialized in Argosy magazine in 1933. The story follows Jerry Morgan, a man who accepts an opportunity to leave Earth behind and start fresh on Mars. The Mars of this novel features a complex network of canals with surrounding walls and terraces, built by advanced Martian machinery. The setting includes royal courts, strange beasts, and a civilization with its own political intrigues and power struggles. Through a series of misunderstandings and political entanglements, Morgan finds himself navigating Martian society as both an outsider and a key player in unfolding events. The narrative includes sword fights, tests of physical prowess, and encounters with various factions of Martian society. The novel explores themes of cultural misunderstanding, political manipulation, and the challenge of finding one's place in an alien world. Written in the pulp tradition of the 1930s, it reflects both the adventure-driven storytelling and social perspectives of its era.

Readers view this as a pulp sci-fi adventure that closely follows Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars/Barsoom formula. Many note it's essentially a copy of Burroughs' style and themes. Readers appreciate: - Fast-paced sword fighting and action sequences - Descriptive world-building of Mars civilization - Classic pulp adventure tone - Light, escapist entertainment Common criticisms: - Too derivative of Burroughs' work - Predictable plot elements - One-dimensional characters - Dated writing style and social attitudes Ratings: Goodreads: 3.4/5 (91 ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Several reviewers call it "serviceable planetary romance" but note it lacks the depth and originality of Burroughs' Mars series. As one Goodreads reviewer states: "If you've read John Carter of Mars, you've basically read this book already - just not as well written."

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs This tale of an Earth man transported to Mars who battles alien creatures and falls in love with a princess established many of the tropes found in planetary romance fiction.

Pirates of Venus by Edgar Rice Burroughs The story follows an adventurer who travels to Venus, discovers strange civilizations, and fights to protect a princess from otherworldly threats.

Planet of Peril by Otis Adelbert Kline A telepathically-summoned Earth man ventures to Venus, encounters exotic creatures, and becomes embroiled in local political intrigues while pursuing romance.

Northwest of Earth by C. L. Moore This collection chronicles the adventures of space adventurer Northwest Smith as he navigates the dangers of Mars and Venus in a solar system filled with ancient mysteries.

Under the Moons of Mars by John Joseph Adams This anthology collects stories from multiple authors who expand on the planetary romance traditions established in early Mars fiction.

🌟 The book was part of a friendly rivalry between Kline and Edgar Rice Burroughs, with both authors writing similar Mars-based adventure stories in the 1930s 🌟 Kline's Mars novels were influenced by the popular "canals on Mars" theory proposed by astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli in 1877 🌟 The serialization in Argosy magazine helped establish it as one of the premier pulp fiction magazines for science fiction and adventure stories 🌟 The portrayal of Mars with breathable atmosphere and complex civilizations was scientifically plausible to readers in 1933, as detailed Martian surface photography didn't exist until the 1960s 🌟 The book's structure of an Earthman transported to Mars became a significant template for later science fiction, influencing works like "John Carter of Mars" and "Flash Gordon"