Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, Bill Nighy

10 reviews

amelia_rose_20's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

2.0

3/10 | I appreciated the exploration of the themes of bravery, friendship, and the understanding that what one seeks is often found within oneself, but I did not like the way L. Frank Baum went about it. I find Dorothy to embody a mean, uninspiring, insensitive and dismissive heroine whose behaviour contradicts the qualities of heart, brain, and courage that the narrative seems to champion. 


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filipa_maia's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was so much fun! The Wizard of OZ is one of those books that, even if you never read it, you know what it is about. Everybody has heard about little Dorothy, the Wizard or the Witches. But reading this books is an experience on its own.

I really liked this story: it's all about friendship and a sense of union... when we work together we make (almost) impossible things, possible.

I feel that this is one of those books that you take different interpretations according to when (in your life) you are reading it.

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prairiek's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0


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meganpbennett's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I read this book (and the entire series) multiple times in middle and high school, but haven't read it since. And then I saw that some one was going to serialize it into chapters and I just had to reread it! It was very good, holding up remarkably well for something writing in 1900. 

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diana_raquel's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

“There is no place like home.”

Inspired by the works of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, the Oz series tell the stories of Dorothy, a girl from Kansas, in the World of Oz. These stories were clearly inspired by the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and Andersen, however, there is a twist to these stories that have a certain American feel (the contrast between the World Oz and Kansas is an excellent example of this). 
The stories of the Oz universe are clearly a story for children, however, I would say that adults would also like these stories. They are complete stories (with a beginning, middle, and end), full of wonderment, and well-developed characters. 
I really liked these stories and fully recommend them. 

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stardustdreamer's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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calamitywindpetal's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


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nrogers_1030's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0


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naiu_cs's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This is vera violent for a children's book.

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lectrixnoctis's review against another edition

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adventurous inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

L. Frank Baum was an American writer who was born in Chittenango into a wealthy family wrote over sixty books. He is most known for "The Wizard of Oz", which he dedicated to his wife, a feminist author called Matilda and the thirteen other titles in the Oz series.

We follow the story of a young orphan girl called Dorothy who lives with her little dog Toto under Uncle Henry and Aunt Em in Kansas on a family farm. The couple is exceptionally hardworking but unsatisfied with their dull and grey lives. Toto is the best companion Dorothy and keeps her happy and cheerful. 

The story begins when a cyclone is approaching, and the people were worried about its effect. Dorothy, Toto and Aunt Em were heading to the storm shelter as Toto jumps outdo of Dorothy's traps and hides. Aunt Em enters the shelter as Dorothy is trying to catch the dog. However, the house is carried away with the girl and the dog inside. The house finally lends, the pair were brought into the territory of the Munchkin in the Land of Oz. The crash happens to kill the Wicked Witch of the East, who was the cruel ruler of the Munchkins. Dorothy meets the Good Witch of the North, who tells her she should go to the Emerald City if she wants to go back to Kansas. The Witch kisses her forehead to protect her from harm. The girl follows the Yellow Brick Road with the new silver slippers from the now-deceased Witch. On her way there, she meets a Scarecrow who wants a brain, a Tin Woodman who wants a heart and a cowardly Lion who needs some courage. They all go to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz to grant their wishes.

The perspective on this book is from the third person point of view through an accompanying narrator. The themes of journeying, home and hidden strength are expressed through the narrator. The book was written in past tense and focused heavily on the plot. 

The book has four main characters: Dorothy, who is a brilliant young girl. Although she is magically transported into this new land, she does find a way always to succeed. Even if she sometimes struggles, she is still caring for her newfound friends. Although the Scarecrow desperately wants to have some brains, he is, in fact, intelligent. This indicated that he only wishes the Wizard to give him a brain, although he is stuffed with straw. The Tin Woodman's main desire is to have the heart to marry the munchkin girl he once loved. He is extremely caring with his friends and quite protective of others. The Cowardly Lion wishes to finally live up to his high expectations of being the kind of the beats and have some courage. As well as the other ones he already has what he wishes. Lio would do anything to help his friends and is a great help. These aspects I talked about is the motif of the hidden strength.

I never read this book as a child, but I've learned to love it. I always enjoy how the characters interact with each other and do not see who they are. They do not need Oz to grant their wishes. They have to believe in themselves and see who they are. This novel is perfect for children as well as adults. I can only recommend this fantastic piece of writing.

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