Adventure Fantasy Science Fiction

The Master Mind of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Master Mind of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs Summary

“The Master Mind of Mars” by Edgar Rice Burroughs, published in 1927, is a science fiction novel set on the planet Mars, known as Barsoom. The story is part of Burroughs’ Barsoom series and follows Ulysses Paxton, a soldier from Earth who finds himself transported to Mars after being mortally wounded in World War I. On Mars, he becomes involved in the complex world of Ras Thavas, the “master mind” who is a master surgeon capable of transplanting brains between bodies.

Plot Summary

Ulysses Paxton, a soldier of Earth, lay dying on the battlefield in France, yearning for release from his broken body. Gazing up at the red orb of Mars, he pleaded for the adventure and escape that he had read of in the tales of John Carter, the Warlord of Barsoom. In a moment of unexplainable magic, his soul was torn from the pain-ridden shell and transported across the vastness of space to the crimson planet itself. Paxton, reborn in the vigorous body of a Martian, found himself in a garden of strange flora under the sharp gaze of a withered old man. This was Ras Thavas, the master surgeon of Mars, whose scientific prowess was both a marvel and a terror.

Ras Thavas, intrigued by the Earthman’s fortitude and uniqueness, took Paxton under his wing, granting him a new name, Vad Varo. As Ras Thavas’ apprentice, Vad Varo was thrust into a world of grotesque experiments and unfathomable science. The surgeon had perfected a method of transplanting brains between bodies, a power that rendered him a god among men. In the sprawling complex of laboratories and vaults, Vad Varo learned to replace organs, revitalize the dead, and, most disturbingly, transfer the very essence of a person from one vessel to another.

It was in these vaults that Vad Varo first encountered Valla Dia, her spirit trapped within the decaying body of an old woman. Once a princess of remarkable beauty, Valla Dia’s body had been stolen by the tyrannical Jeddara Xaxa, who sought to escape the ravages of time. Xaxa had purchased Valla Dia’s youth from Ras Thavas and left the princess’s consciousness to fester in the wrinkled shell of her former self. Seeing the soul of Valla Dia shine through the ugliness forced upon her, Vad Varo felt a burning resolve to right this grievous wrong.

Working by Ras Thavas’ side, Vad Varo mastered the forbidden arts, all the while hiding his growing repulsion for the old surgeon’s lack of morality. The laboratory was filled with beings whose lives had been shattered and rearranged by Ras Thavas’ scalpel. He saw men with the minds of beasts and beasts that thought as men. He witnessed the wealthy paying obscene amounts for new, younger bodies, while the souls of the original owners languished in silent horror. Amidst this den of unnatural creations, Vad Varo nurtured a silent promise to free Valla Dia and restore her to her rightful body.

Opportunity arose when Ras Thavas received a summons to the court of Xaxa. The Jeddara, now in possession of Valla Dia’s perfect form, demanded more of Ras Thavas’ services to sustain her rule. Seeing this as his chance, Vad Varo persuaded Ras Thavas to take him along as his assistant. Their journey to the city of Phundahl was fraught with peril, for Ras Thavas was a man many desired to either use or destroy. But his cunning and Vad Varo’s Earth-born tenacity saw them safely to the palace of the usurper queen.

Within the walls of Phundahl, Vad Varo witnessed the grotesque opulence of Xaxa’s rule. The Jeddara, in Valla Dia’s body, was as cruel as she was beautiful, her tyranny magnified by the physical grace she had stolen. Vad Varo, forced to bow to this twisted monarch, bided his time, gathering allies among those who despised Xaxa’s reign. He found a friend in Dar Tarus, a noble warrior who had longed to see Xaxa dethroned, and the two devised a plan to infiltrate the queen’s inner sanctum.

The night of their coup came amidst a grand feast, where Xaxa reveled in the luxury that her theft of Valla Dia’s body had bought her. Vad Varo and Dar Tarus, with the aid of loyal servants, subdued the guards and slipped into the queen’s chambers. There, Vad Varo confronted the false queen, revealing his knowledge of her treachery. Xaxa, with the agility of a cornered predator, attempted to strike him down, but the Earthman’s reflexes, honed in the trenches of war, were quicker. He overpowered her and, with a grim determination, bound her for transport back to Ras Thavas’ laboratory.

The return journey was perilous. With Xaxa in tow, her followers hot on their heels, Vad Varo and his comrades fought through the treacherous Martian landscape. In the face of danger, Vad Varo’s resolve only hardened. He had vowed to restore Valla Dia and end Xaxa’s reign of terror. Through cunning and courage, they eluded capture and returned to the fortress of Ras Thavas.

There, in the cold, clinical environment of the laboratory, Vad Varo prepared for the ultimate test of his skill. Ras Thavas, intrigued by the prospect of such a challenging procedure, watched closely as his pupil undertook the task. With steady hands, Vad Varo severed the unnatural bond between Xaxa’s mind and Valla Dia’s body, reversing the horrid exchange that had stolen a life. When at last he finished, the old woman’s body, now housing Xaxa’s consciousness, was locked away, and Valla Dia’s essence returned to its rightful home.

As Valla Dia’s eyes fluttered open, now filled with the light of her restored soul, Vad Varo felt a surge of triumph. The woman before him was no longer the shattered, grieving spirit trapped in an alien form but a living, breathing testament to his victory over Ras Thavas’ cold science. Ras Thavas himself, while displeased at the loss of a lucrative asset in Xaxa, could not help but acknowledge the brilliance of Vad Varo’s execution.

With Xaxa’s downfall, the city of Phundahl was freed from tyranny. Valla Dia, reborn, stood as a symbol of hope for the oppressed Martians who had suffered under the Jeddara’s rule. And Vad Varo, the Earthman who had come to Mars a stranger, had found his purpose among the red sands of Barsoom. In the midst of a world that melded science with savagery, he had carved out a place where courage and compassion could thrive.

As Vad Varo and Valla Dia left the laboratory behind, they knew their journey was far from over. Mars was a world of endless mysteries and dangers, but together, they would face whatever lay ahead, hand in hand, united by the strange twist of fate that had brought them to this moment.

Main Characters

  • Ulysses Paxton/Vad Varo: The protagonist and narrator, a former soldier from Earth. After being transported to Mars, he takes on the Barsoomian name Vad Varo and becomes an apprentice to Ras Thavas. Throughout the story, he learns the secrets of Ras Thavas’ brain transplantation techniques and becomes a key player in the events that unfold.
  • Ras Thavas: Known as the “Master Mind of Mars,” Ras Thavas is a brilliant but morally ambiguous scientist. He has perfected the art of brain transplantation and conducts numerous experiments in his laboratory. His cold and scientific approach often conflicts with the more compassionate values of Vad Varo.
  • Valla Dia: A beautiful and kind-hearted woman whose body is used in one of Ras Thavas’ experiments. Her brain is replaced with that of the tyrannical Jeddara Xaxa, trapping Valla Dia’s consciousness in an old, disfigured body. She becomes an ally to Vad Varo and represents the emotional and moral center of the story.
  • Xaxa: The cruel Jeddara of Phundahl, who pays Ras Thavas to transfer her brain into Valla Dia’s body, thus acquiring eternal youth and beauty at the expense of another’s life. She embodies the themes of vanity and the abuse of power.

Theme

  • The Ethics of Science and Surgery: The novel explores the ethical implications of Ras Thavas’ experiments. The brain transplantation techniques raise questions about identity, the soul, and the morality of using science to manipulate life and death.
  • Identity and the Self: Through the characters who undergo brain transplants, the story delves into what makes a person who they are. Is it their body, their brain, or something more intangible? The story challenges the notion of identity and explores how external appearances can affect one’s sense of self.
  • Power and Corruption: Characters like Xaxa demonstrate how the quest for power and eternal youth can lead to moral corruption. The novel examines the lengths to which individuals will go to maintain power and control over others, even at the expense of their humanity.

Writing Style and Tone

Edgar Rice Burroughs employs a straightforward, action-driven narrative style, focusing on adventure and the exploration of complex themes through the lens of a pulp science fiction story. His tone is both speculative and critical, often casting a discerning eye on the ethical dilemmas presented by advanced scientific capabilities. The language is rich with descriptions of the Martian landscape and society, creating an immersive atmosphere that captures the reader’s imagination. Burroughs uses his narrative to critique the misuse of science and the consequences of tampering with the natural order.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Please verify your email. Sorry but this deters spamsters and bots.

We hope this summary has sparked your interest and would appreciate you following Celsius 233 on social media:

There’s a treasure trove of other fascinating book summaries waiting for you. Check out our collection of stories that inspire, thrill, and provoke thought, just like this one by checking out the Book Shelf or the Library

Remember, while our summaries capture the essence, they can never replace the full experience of reading the book. If this summary intrigued you, consider diving into the complete story – buy the book and immerse yourself in the author’s original work.

If you want to request a book summary, click here.

When Saurabh is not working/watching football/reading books/traveling, you can reach him via Twitter/X, LinkedIn, or Threads

Restart reading!

You may also like

The Last Man by Mary Shelley Summary
Science Fiction

The Last Man by Mary Shelley

"The Last Man" by Mary Shelley, known for "Frankenstein," follows Lionel Verney, who becomes the eponymous "last man" in a
Magic Shop H.G. Wells Summary
Fantasy Supernatural

The Magic Shop by H.G. Wells

The Magic Shop" is a short story written by H.G. Wells, first published in 1903. Known for his science fiction
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells Summary
Psychological Science Fiction Supernatural

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells' "The Invisible Man" is a gripping tale that combines elements of science fiction and horror. It explores the
Sultana's Dream by Roquia Sakhawat Hussain Summary
Romance Science Fiction

Sultana’s Dream by Roquia Sakhawat Hussain

"Sultana's Dream" is a pioneering work of feminist science fiction written by Roquia Sakhawat Hussain and published in 1905. The