Mike (the Paladin)'s Reviews > Kane of Old Mars

I'm kind of sorry this book showed up from the library just now. It hit at the "confluence" or arrival of several serious nonfiction books. It is a book that should have a dose of concentrated "frivolity".

Moorcock does very much capture the Burroughs "feel". The open scene is reminiscent of John Carter showing up and relating his story to the Earth bound writer. This character (Michael Kane)doesn't seem to share Carter's apparent immortality, or at least not on the same way. Where Carter only remembers seemingly having lived so long he's forgotten how long long it's been (and always seeming to be about 30) Kane doesn't start out discussing his age. Also Carter is drawn to Mars (Barsoom)by his desire, Kane is sent there in a faulty (or was it?) matter transmission accident.

The voice is here, the storytelling that has the sound of Burroughs, even the apparently dated attitude. It would have been a better read when I was 13.

It has become I believe an article of faith that this also has a place in Moorcock's Eternal Champion cycle. I suppose it could and am not aware if Moorcock has ever commented on that. While I enjoy the Eternal Champion books (especially Hawkmoon and Elric) I think you'll enjoy this more if you read it "primarily" as what Moorcock says it is, a tribute to Edgar Rice Burroughs.