Le chirurgien de Mars

The vivid world-building and imaginative alien cultures make me wonder how much was inspired by real science vs. pure fantasy. Did Burroughs envision a detailed Martian society from the start?

While the action was exciting, some parts felt a bit drawn out. Do others think those sections added to world-building or could they have been shorter?

The depiction of alien cultures seems to mirror contemporary ideas about progress and morality. I’m curious whether Burroughs was intentionally commenting on Earth’s societies through Mars.