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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
I don't know what to say i know this world has inspired movies, theater, songs and much much more. I can also see as a young child i may have enjoyed it a lot more, and to have this kind of imagination when the book was published was incredible.
But....
The book felt like a trip, I felt i had fallen into someones head who had to many special cigarettes, or biscuits, i jumped from one place to another with flowers turning to women, Woggle bugs (im still not sure what this is) boys turning to girls......
I did love how characters had thoughts and came to conclusions... that makes the book unique... But the world a bit to dizzy for me.
But....
The book felt like a trip, I felt i had fallen into someones head who had to many special cigarettes, or biscuits, i jumped from one place to another with flowers turning to women, Woggle bugs (im still not sure what this is) boys turning to girls......
I did love how characters had thoughts and came to conclusions... that makes the book unique... But the world a bit to dizzy for me.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this far more than the first book in the series and found the surprise twist at the end incredibly forward-thinking for its time.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Audiobook Narrator: 4/5
This book was a delight! I read the Oz books when I was a kid, but I forgot how funny they are. I laughed a lot. And it’s surprisingly progressive for a book written in 1904. I enjoyed the adventures of this group of misfits, and I’m looking forward to the next book!
This book was a delight! I read the Oz books when I was a kid, but I forgot how funny they are. I laughed a lot. And it’s surprisingly progressive for a book written in 1904. I enjoyed the adventures of this group of misfits, and I’m looking forward to the next book!
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The second book in L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” series is a grand departure from “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” in many ways. There is more of an overarching plot in “The Marvelous Land of Oz,” instead of relying on a series of unconnected events.
The biggest change, at least for me, is in the overall tone of the book. While “Wizard” had a very matter-of-fact narrative, “Land” felt more like a book written for slightly older readers–middle grade vs. upper-middle grade to low YA. The narrative wasn’t as choppy, and the tone was less fairytale and more fantasy novel. There is still a great amount of whimsy, but the dream-like qualities of “Wizard” are not as present.
There is an interesting theme of underlying feminism running through “Land” that I found endearing, though slightly archaic in language and nature. With a modern lense, it is possible to find LGBTQIA+ themes as well, whether they are meant to be there or not. As with all writing, it is up to the interpretation of the reader, but to me? The Land of Oz is very, very queer coded. Take that for what you will.
I am slowly making my way through the “Oz” series on the suggestion of a dear friend, and with “The Marvelous Land of Oz,” I’m starting to understand the hype.
The biggest change, at least for me, is in the overall tone of the book. While “Wizard” had a very matter-of-fact narrative, “Land” felt more like a book written for slightly older readers–middle grade vs. upper-middle grade to low YA. The narrative wasn’t as choppy, and the tone was less fairytale and more fantasy novel. There is still a great amount of whimsy, but the dream-like qualities of “Wizard” are not as present.
There is an interesting theme of underlying feminism running through “Land” that I found endearing, though slightly archaic in language and nature. With a modern lense, it is possible to find LGBTQIA+ themes as well, whether they are meant to be there or not. As with all writing, it is up to the interpretation of the reader, but to me? The Land of Oz is very, very queer coded. Take that for what you will.
I am slowly making my way through the “Oz” series on the suggestion of a dear friend, and with “The Marvelous Land of Oz,” I’m starting to understand the hype.
Baum was ahead of his time, here. Worth reading just for the twist at the end—which changed me.
Ok I wasn't expecting themes of gender identity. In general, this is a silly book that is fun to listen to.