The Man Who Loved Mars

The Man Who Loved Mars follows Ivo Tengren, an Earth colonist in the twenty-second century who became deeply connected to Mars and its ancient civilization. After leading a failed rebellion against Earth's Colonial Authority, Tengren finds himself exiled on Earth, cut off from the red planet he considers his true home. The novel takes place on a romanticized version of Mars that deliberately ignores contemporary scientific knowledge, instead presenting a world of ancient cultures and complex civilizations. This Mars is a dying world under colonial rule, where Earth authorities maintain control over the native population through military force and political oppression. The plot centers on Tengren's potential opportunity to return to Mars after meeting Dr. Josip Keresny, setting in motion events that will test his loyalties and determination. The story incorporates elements of both science fiction and fantasy, drawing inspiration from the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Leigh Brackett. The book explores themes of colonialism, cultural preservation, and the deep emotional connections that can form between a person and a place that isn't their original home. Through its science fantasy lens, it examines questions about cultural identity and the moral implications of colonial expansion.

Most readers describe this as a basic planetary romance that closely follows Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars/Barsoom formula. The storytelling evokes 1920s pulp fiction despite being published in 1977. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced adventure that doesn't take itself too seriously - Homage to classic sword-and-planet stories - Vivid descriptions of Martian landscapes and ruins Common criticisms: - Derivative plot that copies Burroughs too closely - One-dimensional characters - Dated writing style and dialogue - Lack of originality or fresh ideas Ratings: Goodreads: 3.1/5 (37 ratings) Amazon: 3.5/5 (4 ratings) One reader noted: "Fun if you're in the mood for straight-up pulp adventure, but brings nothing new to the genre." Another commented: "Carter was clearly having fun writing this, even if it feels like Burroughs-lite." Several reviewers recommended it only for dedicated fans of vintage planetary romance stories.

A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs A Confederate soldier finds himself transported to Mars where he encounters ancient civilizations and becomes embroiled in their conflicts while falling in love with the planet and its culture.

The Sword of Rhiannon by Leigh Brackett An archaeologist on Mars discovers an ancient artifact that pulls him into the planet's mythic past, where he must navigate complex political intrigues among the dying Martian races.

Inherit the Stars by James P. Hogan A scientific team discovers a human body on the Moon that predates Earth civilization, leading to revelations about humanity's connection to other worlds in the solar system.

The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury This collection of interconnected stories charts the colonization of Mars and its impact on both the colonizers and the ancient Martian civilization they encounter.

Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis A philologist is kidnapped and taken to Mars where he discovers a complex civilization untouched by the corruption of Earth, forcing him to question human assumptions about progress and colonization.

🔴 The novel's depiction of Mars as a dying world with ancient civilizations echoes scientific beliefs of the early 20th century, when astronomers like Percival Lowell theorized that Mars' canals were built by an advanced civilization. 🚀 Lin Carter wrote over 50 books in his lifetime, including the famous Flashing Swords anthology series which helped revive interest in sword and sorcery fiction during the 1970s. 📚 The book pays homage to Edgar Rice Burroughs' Barsoom series, where John Carter similarly falls in love with Mars and becomes a champion of its people. 🌍 Carter wrote this novel during the height of the Space Race in the 1960s, when public fascination with Mars exploration was at its peak. ⚔️ The protagonist's name, Ivo Tengren, appears to be inspired by Norse mythology, fitting Carter's known interest in Nordic folklore and his work on several books about Norse myths.