Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Chessmen of Mars
- Author: Edgar Rice Burroughs
- Narrator: Tom Weiss
- Length: 10:22:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2011
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction
- ISBN13: SABFAB9780332
There’s something magical about discovering an old story through a new medium. As I listened to “Chessmen of Mars” while driving through the red-rock canyons of Utah last summer, Tom Weiss’s narration transformed Burroughs’ Martian landscape into something visceral – the dry air outside my car windows might as well have been Barsoom’s thin atmosphere. It reminded me of those evenings in Oaxaca where stories weren’t just told, but performed with the rhythm of generations behind them.
Edgar Rice Burroughs’ fifth Barsoom installment is planetary romance at its most exuberant. Following Princess Tara of Helium (daughter of John Carter and Dejah Thoris) and her would-be suitor Gahan of Gathol, the novel plunges us into the bizarre city-state of Manator where life-sized chess games (Jetan) determine fates. Weiss’s narration captures the pulpy thrill of Burroughs’ prose – you can almost hear the clang of radium swords and feel the grit of Martian dust between your fingers during Tara’s captivity sequences.
The audiobook experience shines in Weiss’s handling of Burroughs’ distinctive dialogue. The formal, almost Shakespearean cadence of Martian nobility (‘Let the warriors of Manator be called!’) contrasts beautifully with the guttural growls of alien creatures. I particularly appreciated how Weiss subtly differentiates characters like the proud Tara from the earnest Gahan without resorting to caricature. His pacing during the Jetan sequences creates genuine tension – no small feat when describing chess matches!
Some modern listeners might find Burroughs’ early 20th-century sensibilities jarring. The gender dynamics (though progressive for 1922) feel dated, and certain plot elements repeat from earlier Barsoom books. Yet Weiss’s warm baritone lends these moments historical context rather than apology. His performance reminds us we’re experiencing a foundational text – one that inspired everyone from Ray Bradbury to George Lucas.
The production quality reflects LibriVox’s volunteer origins – occasional audio inconsistencies, but nothing that detracts from the story. That slight roughness actually enhances the experience for me, like hearing a beloved tale around a crackling campfire rather than in a sterile studio. And you can’t beat the price (free!) for such an iconic piece of sci-fi history.
For listeners new to Barsoom, this makes an excellent starting point beyond the over-familiar “Princess of Mars”. The Jetan sequences in particular showcase Burroughs’ genius for turning games into life-or-death drama – a tradition that echoes through “Hunger Games” and “Squid Game” today. Just be warned: Weiss’s engaging performance might have you downloading the entire series before the final checkmate.
May your journeys – terrestrial or otherwise – be filled with great stories,
Marcus
Marcus Rivera
