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kitsuneheart's review against another edition
3.0
While I do find the Oz books to be highly repetitive (though I suppose who could blame Baum for doing this to remain financially solvent), this book, at least, has some original charm. We're introduced to several new characters, including the stalwart Ojo, the fanciful Scraps (the Patchwork Girl), and the continually conceited Glass Cat.
The part I like about this book, and which earned it an extra star oveer the other Oz books I've read, is that there's a defined quest and the book as a whole is working towards that quest. So often, the Oz books have a plot something like "whoops, we're in a fairy land, let's wander around." But with an idea of what the character's motivations are and what their final goal is, you can actually get a little invested in the story.
The part I like about this book, and which earned it an extra star oveer the other Oz books I've read, is that there's a defined quest and the book as a whole is working towards that quest. So often, the Oz books have a plot something like "whoops, we're in a fairy land, let's wander around." But with an idea of what the character's motivations are and what their final goal is, you can actually get a little invested in the story.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
3.0
So the Patchwork Girl is kind of awful. The character, specifically, but also the book. I get that it's written for children, but it's so basic and so crudely written. You can tell that Baum was tired of the series.
sarahanne8382's review against another edition
3.0
These are just entertaining enough that the kids and I will continue listening to the series in the car, but they're all starting to blend together. Still, a fun nonsense adventure story.
pawspagesandpurrs's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
Another misleading title as the story of this one does not center on the little Patchwork Girl but she is a simple character travelling on an adventure with a bunch of other characters all as multicolored as can be and as inventive as can get. A rude cat made of glass gets annoying more than anything after a while, however... rude and egotistical, in my opinion.
The general story is getting pretty repetitive however and I'm not sure how much longer I can go reading basically the same thing over and over again. I mean, a group of people get into traveling to get to the point and they get to meet different cities and places and people and something or another happens that makes the whole thing less fun but they get out of it and it's the end and everyone was happy. I mean, I like this sort of story but... after 7 books... you know... It's still getting 3.5 because it's not a bad story.
Another misleading title as the story of this one does not center on the little Patchwork Girl but she is a simple character travelling on an adventure with a bunch of other characters all as multicolored as can be and as inventive as can get. A rude cat made of glass gets annoying more than anything after a while, however... rude and egotistical, in my opinion.
The general story is getting pretty repetitive however and I'm not sure how much longer I can go reading basically the same thing over and over again. I mean, a group of people get into traveling to get to the point and they get to meet different cities and places and people and something or another happens that makes the whole thing less fun but they get out of it and it's the end and everyone was happy. I mean, I like this sort of story but... after 7 books... you know... It's still getting 3.5 because it's not a bad story.
acoffia's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
cimorene1558's review against another edition
3.0
I always get this one mixed up with, I think, the Nome King of Oz, which Patches also plays a major part in. Both are good, but I think the Nome King is slightly better.
saroz162's review against another edition
5.0
One of Baum's very finest: great characters, an exciting quest, and a real sense of purpose. Many seem to regard this as one of the finest books in the series, and that holds up; Baum's imagination is at its peak, and there are several sequences that linger long in the memory. One chapter is subject to some unfortunate racial stereotyping (c.f. other "African pygmies" depicted in lit of this time), but it's misguided rather than malicious. You've got to mention it - it's there - but it doesn't hold a candle to the staggering racism seen in most children's books of the period.
luisasm's review against another edition
3.0
One of the best Oz books I think, that makes me laugh and love all the characters.
sqeeker's review against another edition
4.0
- This story has the most endearing characters since the first book. I loved Ojo and the patchwork girl.
- The story wasn't a typcial Oz book, but at the same time it is a very typical Oz book. The formula was changed a bit.
- I loved the Ojo's motives. He worked so hard because he loves his Unc Nunkie. It was sweet.
- Oz is a just, kind, and understanding place. I want to live there. Everyone is happy. There is no crime. I wish our leaders were more like Ozma.
- I really enjoyed this one!
- The story wasn't a typcial Oz book, but at the same time it is a very typical Oz book. The formula was changed a bit.
- I loved the Ojo's motives. He worked so hard because he loves his Unc Nunkie. It was sweet.
- Oz is a just, kind, and understanding place. I want to live there. Everyone is happy. There is no crime. I wish our leaders were more like Ozma.
- I really enjoyed this one!
hidekisohma's review against another edition
5.0
Now before i get into this review, I have to say this. I am not a big fan of the Wizard of Oz (aka the movie). The highest praise i can give for that movie is that i find it....meh. It's not good, it's not bad, it's just kind of...there.
So when i heard that the books were better than the movie, i didn't exactly have a high bar to set. Which in my opinion is the best way to go into this. No expectations whatsoever. and to my surprise, I actually found myself enjoying this book WAY more than i thought i would.
What i can say about this book is that i actually had FUN. It wasn't depressing, violent, or anything like that, i just had plain fun. Which is rare for me when i read a book. Even novels like Narnia have violence and death, but for once, it was nice to read a book where none of that happens, and for the first time in a while i can use this word unironically. "Whimsy". that is the word i would to describe this book. Whimsy. And it was like a breath of fresh air.
There's a few main characters in this book, and for the most part, i can say that i liked all of them. Ojo, the munchkin wasn't annoying, but actually endearing. The Woozy (a block-shaped cat-like creatures) was funny, and the patchwork girl was actually a delight. She has quickly become one of my favorite literary characters. She's just so much fun to be around, and from what i hear, she's in the later oz books which is nice.
I had to think about it for a while, but i think one of the reasons i like the main character so much (ojo, not patchwork) is because, while he has his own adventure and meets up with the other main characters from other novels such as dorothy, the tin man, etc, and they become quick friends with him, he doesn't FEEL like a Gary Stu. He actually feels like a real character with foibles and negative personality traits. It's so rare to see this that it just made the book even more enjoyable.
The best way i can describe this book is with a quote from the middle of the book when they're talking about their prison
"We consider a prisoner unfortunate. He is unfortunate in two ways — because he has done something wrong and because he is deprived of his liberty. Therefore, we should treat him kindly, because of his misfortune, for otherwise he would become hard and bitter and would not be sorry he had done wrong…"
This is the kind of message that's in this book, and it's just so refreshing to see. To see a fantasy world where people aren't getting stabbed every five minutes (ala Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings) but they solve their problems with WORDS. And that's the thing, it feels fantastical. hence FANTASY. And i think a lot of fantasy novels forget that.
Overall, LOVED this book and i hope the rest of the Oz books are this good. This book is over 100 years old but you'd never feel it. 5/5.
So when i heard that the books were better than the movie, i didn't exactly have a high bar to set. Which in my opinion is the best way to go into this. No expectations whatsoever. and to my surprise, I actually found myself enjoying this book WAY more than i thought i would.
What i can say about this book is that i actually had FUN. It wasn't depressing, violent, or anything like that, i just had plain fun. Which is rare for me when i read a book. Even novels like Narnia have violence and death, but for once, it was nice to read a book where none of that happens, and for the first time in a while i can use this word unironically. "Whimsy". that is the word i would to describe this book. Whimsy. And it was like a breath of fresh air.
There's a few main characters in this book, and for the most part, i can say that i liked all of them. Ojo, the munchkin wasn't annoying, but actually endearing. The Woozy (a block-shaped cat-like creatures) was funny, and the patchwork girl was actually a delight. She has quickly become one of my favorite literary characters. She's just so much fun to be around, and from what i hear, she's in the later oz books which is nice.
I had to think about it for a while, but i think one of the reasons i like the main character so much (ojo, not patchwork) is because, while he has his own adventure and meets up with the other main characters from other novels such as dorothy, the tin man, etc, and they become quick friends with him, he doesn't FEEL like a Gary Stu. He actually feels like a real character with foibles and negative personality traits. It's so rare to see this that it just made the book even more enjoyable.
The best way i can describe this book is with a quote from the middle of the book when they're talking about their prison
"We consider a prisoner unfortunate. He is unfortunate in two ways — because he has done something wrong and because he is deprived of his liberty. Therefore, we should treat him kindly, because of his misfortune, for otherwise he would become hard and bitter and would not be sorry he had done wrong…"
This is the kind of message that's in this book, and it's just so refreshing to see. To see a fantasy world where people aren't getting stabbed every five minutes (ala Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings) but they solve their problems with WORDS. And that's the thing, it feels fantastical. hence FANTASY. And i think a lot of fantasy novels forget that.
Overall, LOVED this book and i hope the rest of the Oz books are this good. This book is over 100 years old but you'd never feel it. 5/5.