The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Oz, #1) in Shadow Lounge Readathon Group

May 20, 2022 Cynda rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children-youth, read-2022, fantasy, novel

[E]very healthy youngster has a wholesome and instinctive love for stories fantastic, marvelous and manifestly unreal--L. Frank Baum in the Introduction

hmmm. . . . Yet so much reality is here, just described in sometimes fantastical ways that lent itself to be adapted by Hollywood.

In the novel, we follow a girl on a fantastical spiritual quest to find home, a heart, a brain, some courage.

Although L. Frank Baum wanted no morals, he did write

* of slavery of various groups encountered, including ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Apr 05, 2013 Jamie rated it liked it

Shelves: kindle-read, fantasy, childrens, books-i-own, classics

Rating is closer to 3.5 stars. I have parts about this I loved and parts that bothered me so my thoughts a left a jumbled mess. First off, if you do not know this story, go learn about it. Everyone should know the Wizard of Oz and most of us do. Although I think many of us are more familiar with the movie. The story concept is just great and one I have always loved and all that credit goes to the author.

Now, I must admit I like the movie more than the book. While the basic story is great and Dor Rating is closer to 3.5 stars. I have parts about this I loved and parts that bothered me so my thoughts a left a jumbled mess. First off, if you do not know this story, go learn about it. Everyone should know the Wizard of Oz and most of us do. Although I think many of us are more familiar with the movie. The story concept is just great and one I have always loved and all that credit goes to the author.

Now, I must admit I like the movie more than the book. While the basic story is great and Dorothy being a little girl does put a more child-like quality of the book there is a lot of violence in this story. The Tin Man's story is both sad and horrifying and might be a bit much for a young child to handle. And the neck breaking, limb lopping as they make their way across Oz was harsh. While it is not very graphic in description it is still easy to visualize. So while the story is written in a style for young children, about half the content is on the mature side.

This is a short story being between 110-140 pages (depending on the pictures of various editions). The chapters are short and the pace is fast. A lot happens in that time. It is still a fantastical adventure and in some ways getting the back story of the characters added to it's enrichment.

There are quite a few differences from the movie to the book. From the house Dorothy green up in, the Ruby vs silver slippers, the Winged Monkeys, The Emerald City, etc. It was very interesting to see and discover the differences. One thing that really jumped out at me was how each character acted versus what they kept saying they wanted from the Wizard. Amusing aspect to the story, making it all the more endearing.

Overall enjoyable. I am curious to continue the series yet there is no feeling of needing to rush to the next book. It is a series to read at leisure. I advise caution for young children for this book. If a movie copied the details of the book, it would not be rated G. So just a heads up, I advise you to read it before your child does if allowing them to read this at a young age. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 11, 2017 Kristina rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2017-goal-105

The famed classic that we all grew up learning wrong...

A simple magical story about a girl trying to get home after a tornado whisks her away to the magical world of Oz. Along the way she helps three unlikely heroes discover their true destinies and kills a few witches in the process.

I enjoyed reading all the crazy adventures that Dorthy had that I never knew about because they weren't included in the movie. I was surprised at how many creatures were beheaded though. That apparently was not ap ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 05, 2013 Elyse rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: no-longer-own, gr-challenge-2016, audiobooks, book-to-screen-past, stars-5

Loved it! Never read it before and have seen the movie twice. Was Glinda in a 6th grade play. Finally finally read it, or listened to it. Anne Hathaway was a great narrator. She had a different voice for every character. I didn't realize the book was so violent! Breaking crows' necks, axing animals, yikes! Great book and I can't believe it's a series of books! ...more

Like · see review