Book Anatomy · A Princess of Mars
A Princess of Mars: Commercial facts
13 lenses on commercial facts for A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs. Count lenses are exact for our text. AI lenses are our reading and cite only quotes that passed a word for word check.
Jump to: L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8 L9 L10 L11 L12 L13
L1. Total word count. Count
1912, 66,098 words. See the full lens on the book page.
L2. Chapter count and average length. Count
1912, 66,098 words. See the full lens on the book page.
L3. Length against modern norms for the genre. Both
66,098 words. Modern science fiction often runs 90,000 to 110,000 words, so this is short for the shelf today. These ranges are rough trade norms, not rules.
At 66,098 words, the book is moderate length for science fiction, shorter than modern epic space opera but longer than contemporary novellas. It fits the adventure novel tradition of the 1910s. Modern comparable works range from 70,000 to 120,000 words.
L4. First published as a serial or a volume? Research
1912, 66,098 words. See the full lens on the book page.
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L5. Serial instalment breaks and how each ends. Both
The book was serialised in All-Story magazine from February to July 1912. Chapter breaks align with serial instalment breaks. Each chapter ends with a hook or cliffhanger to encourage readers to continue. Chapter 17's separation and Chapter 25's climax are particularly strong instalment endings.
Chapters: Ch 8, Ch 17, Ch 25
L6. Sales and reviews in its day. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L7. Adaptations: film, TV, stage, count and type. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L8. Sequels and series. Research
Facts from outside the text (sales, serial history, adaptations, sequels, most quoted lines). Coming in a later phase, with sources and dates.
L9. Modern books in the same mould (comps). AI
Modern comparable works include Andy Weir's The Martian, which also features a lone human on Mars solving problems. Becky Chambers' The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet shares the found family and cross-species friendship themes. Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy explores Mars colonisation in depth.
L10. Who it would be shelved for today. AI
Today the book would be shelved in science fiction adventure, likely in the classic or retro section. It appeals to readers of space opera, planetary romance, and adventure fantasy. Young adult readers interested in classic sci-fi would find it accessible. Fans of action-driven plots over hard science would enjoy it.
L11. Content notes. AI
Content notes: violence and warfare throughout, slavery and captivity, death of minor characters, brief romantic content, treatment of women as property in Martian society, casual cruelty presented without moral judgment.
L12. A modern pitch line and blurb. AI
A Civil War veteran mysteriously transported to Mars must navigate alien warfare, win the heart of a red princess, and save a dying world. A classic adventure blending romance, action and wonder.
L13. Title style against genre norms. AI
The title is straightforward and descriptive, typical of early science fiction. It names the protagonist and setting clearly. Modern genre titles often use more poetic or mysterious phrasing, but this direct approach was standard in 1912 pulp adventure fiction.
Ask A Princess of Mars a question about its craft (free beta)
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