The Blonde from Barsoom
The story follows Harold Worthington Smith, a struggling writer whose Martian tales are often rejected by editors. Despite criticism for his stilted dialogue and unrealistic heroines, Harold believes in his vivid imagination and the necessity of a Burroughs influence in science fiction. One afternoon, while writing a story about Thon Carther, an Earthman on Mars, Harold finds himself physically transported into his own narrative. He becomes Thon Carther, facing a horde of Tarks alongside a voluptuous Martian princess, Thejah Doris. As Harold navigates this fictional world, he realizes he is trapped within his own plot. He uses his knowledge of the story to escape various dangers, including the Tark horde and a crash into a tower. Throughout, he is accompanied by Thejah Doris and his faithful watchdog, Droola. However, the constant interruptions by the Tarks and the realization that he hasn't plotted beyond the first installment of his serial leave him frustrated. Harold decides to rewrite his reality, crafting a new narrative where he is a successful writer with a loving, attractive wife and editors clamoring for his work. As he writes this new story, he effectively swaps his current predicament for a more desirable life. The tale concludes with Harold living in his newly created reality, surrounded by adoring editors and a transformed wife, free from the constraints of his previous life.
By Robert F. Young · First published 1963 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Metafiction · 3,572 words
First lines
_The Tarks were attacking, the bosomy princess was clinging to him in terror, and Harold Smith realized he was at the end of his plot-line. What a dilemma! And what an opportunity! ! _
What this Textopian page supports
The Blonde from Barsoom is listed on Textopian as a short story by Robert F. Young, dated 1963 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Robert F. Young
- Date: 1963 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Metafiction, Satire, Parody
- Length: 3,572 words
- Structure: 1 section, 66 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Blonde from Barsoom by Robert F. Young
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Blonde from Barsoom?
- How does this short story by Robert F. Young fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Genres
- Science Fiction — Set on Mars with unconventional extraterrestrial elements and futuristic technologies that ground the narrative in sci-fi.
- Adventure — Features high-stakes chases, daring escapes, and sword-fighting sequences pivotal to the plot.
- Metafiction — Incorporates a self-referential narrative where the author becomes entwined with his own story.
- Satire — Employs humor and self-awareness to critique and exaggerate established genre conventions.
Tags
science fiction · space opera · planetary romance · interplanetary travel · adventure · pulp fiction · extraterrestrial · action · romance · daring exploits · futuristic · alien worlds