“There is no place like home.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children’s novel written by author L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. It was first published in 1900. Book consists of twenty-four chapters that tell the story of Dorothy’s arrival in Oz and her adventures in that magical country.
A tornado picks up Dorothy Gale’s house and carries it all the way from Kansas to the land of Oz. Dorothy’s house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, crushing her. The Munchinks (people dressed in blue , group of the Queerest people Dorothy had ever seen) give Dorothy the witch’s prized silver slippers as thanks for freeing them from the Wicked Witch. They also advise Dorothy to seek out the Wizard of Oz who has the power to send her home. On the way to the Emerald City, Dorothy befriends Scarecrow, Woodman, and Cowardly Lion. They all seem to want something from the wizard.
“You have plenty of courage, I am sure,” answered Oz. “All you need is confidence in yourself. There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid, and that kind of courage you have in plenty.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
It’s somehow hard to believe that it’s already been 117 years since this was first published. It’s a story that has lasted time very well. I love Baum’s imagination and how he came up with this. Characters are pretty cool. And they have these very simple flaws or wants. Dorothy wants to go home, the Tin Man wants a heart, the Scarecrow wants a brain and the Lion wants courage.
“Oh, I see;” said the Tin Woodman. “But, after all, brains are not the best things in the world.”
Have you any?” enquired the Scarecrow.
No, my head is quite empty,” answered the Woodman; “but once I had brains, and a heart also; so, having tried them both, I should much rather have a heart.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
3,5 stars/5. This might seem like a low rating and it’s not. I do like the whole series actually, however this was somehow too light and cute for me.
“Oh – You’re a very bad man!”
Oh, no my dear. I’m a very good man. I’m just a very bad Wizard.”
― L. Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
How- To Read The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
1.If you like fairytales in general and like Alice in Wonderland and haven’t read this yet, then I warmly recommend this to you.
2.In case you liked this, there’s plenty of more. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is the first part in Oz Series which consists of 14 books.
3.This is quite short, just a little over 150 pages. Perfect for younger readers :) You can find WWoO for free on Project Gutenberg as an e-book.
4.I reviewed Peter Pan on my blog a while ago and I remember writing about how sad it is. With The Wonderful Wizard of Oz the case is the opposite. It’s almost too happy.
5.In case you haven’t heard Judy Garland yet: Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Have you read this? Thoughts?
I’m always happy when people talk about the book and not just the movie! It’s amazing how many people don’t know about the series. I’ve always thought of Wizard of Oz as pretty dark, but I’ve read that Baum actually meant it as the happier version of a fairy tale – he felt fairy tales were too dark and too moralistic. I think his books get a bit darker as the series goes on. What are your favorites?
I always fall into the trap of discussing movies and other adaptations in my book reviews! But here I guess, there were just too many of them. I think it’s dark in some ways, like in the beginning Dorothy’s house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East and other things, however the tone is lighter. It’s like yes house landed on someone…moving on. I liked the two last parts of the series the most along with the first one. The Magic of Oz was creative and Glinda of Oz was somehow darkly good. What about you, what are your favorites?
Glinda of Oz is one of my favorites, as well as The Patchwork Girl and Emerald City. Then maybe Ozma and TikTok. There are just a few that didn’t resonate with me too much (Road to Oz is one of them). Thanks for writing about my favorite series!
I’m always happy when people talk about the book and not just the movie! It’s amazing how many people don’t know about the series. I’ve always thought of Wizard of Oz as pretty dark, but I’ve read that Baum actually meant it as the happier version of a fairy tale – he felt fairy tales were too dark and too moralistic. I think his books get a bit darker as the series goes on. What are your favorites?
I always fall into the trap of discussing movies and other adaptations in my book reviews! But here I guess, there were just too many of them. I think it’s dark in some ways, like in the beginning Dorothy’s house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East and other things, however the tone is lighter. It’s like yes house landed on someone…moving on. I liked the two last parts of the series the most along with the first one. The Magic of Oz was creative and Glinda of Oz was somehow darkly good. What about you, what are your favorites?
Glinda of Oz is one of my favorites, as well as The Patchwork Girl and Emerald City. Then maybe Ozma and TikTok. There are just a few that didn’t resonate with me too much (Road to Oz is one of them). Thanks for writing about my favorite series!
I really really need to get around to this one! I’m starting to think I didn’t have a childhood 🙈🙈
Recommend it! :) Hahaha, don’t say that, not having a childhood sounds terrible!
I really really need to get around to this one! I’m starting to think I didn’t have a childhood 🙈🙈
Recommend it! :) Hahaha, don’t say that, not having a childhood sounds terrible!